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There is a new officially designated access to the Siphon Draw trail via a newly authorized fee free trailhead that has been arranged in a cooperative effort between several parties. To access this new and presently unmarked trailhead take Hwy 88 (Apache Trail) to Nodak which is the turn for the Mining Camp Restaurant. Turn right then take your first left which is McKellips. McKellips is a dirt rd in good shape. Take it .8 mile to the end which is the trailhead. The last tenth of a mile needs high clearance. Park along the road. Take the trail one quarter mile to the Siphon Draw Trail.

I'd assume but am curious if it's free?
Perhaps put into motion by the park budget issues?
Wonder if the neighbors are liking it

Interesting how on the Street layer on Google maps a good portion of the neighborhood is in the National Forest.

AZLOT69 wrote:There is a new officially designated access to the Siphon Draw trail via a newly authorized fee free trailhead that has been arranged in a cooperative effort between several parties. To access this new and presently unmarked trailhead take Hwy 88 (Apache Trail) to Nodak which is the turn for the Mining Camp Restaurant. Turn right then take your first left which is McKellips. McKellips is a dirt rd in good shape. Take it .8 mile to the end which is the trailhead. The last tenth of a mile needs high clearance. Park along the road. Take the trail one quarter mile to the Siphon Draw Trail.

:thanx: for the update on that.

That's sort of the way we used to go in before the park was established.

"fee free", Most of the neighbors were all for the access, as many wanted horse access.

I was just driving around that area this weekend looking for a place to access the wilderness area. Guess it isn't marked cause I didn't see anything to indicate an access or trailhead. Guess I'll have to go back and follow your directions.

Thanks for the info

I noticed this morning that someone had built up a wall of rocks blocking access to the McKellips TH. This did not make me happy one bit and I started to move some rocks. Fortunately, I ran into a very nice local named Wendy who explained to me that Tonto had just opened up a new access point on the west side of the Mining Camp Restaurant parking lot. I checked it out after my hike. The area is marked with "Trail" signs that lead you to the northwest corner of the restaurant parking area. A path was cleared out that runs along a fence line, then you just pick-up the old trail from there. The adjustment adds about 1/8 mile (one way) to your hike up Siphon Draw. Unlike the rough rocky access to the old trailhead, this new trailhead DOES NOT require a high profile vehicle.

Map showing new trailhead access attached.

"What's old is 'new' again"..... that was the access we used for years until IT was blocked off maybe about 8-9 years ago. Yippee!

the wall of rocks prevents parking in the tiny lot?
Are there no parking signs along McKellips?

is this what you mean?
http://hikearizona.com/map.php?QX=1119 the Mining Camp Restaurant is kosher with this?

EDIT: Rick answered some of this in his triplog http://hikearizona.com/x.php?x=66541

@Joe - It looked like the official "Trail" markers like you see around Tonto forest lands. Looks like Mining Camp may have given up a portion of their lot for the trailhead. Added the barrier to your map.

To those who have been there recently - what kind of capacity (car count) does this lot have, please?

There's lots of room. You can park along the entire back row of the parking lot I believe.

Planning an invasion Kurt? Kyle's right, take 1st Water TH and quadruple the amount of parking space....Haven't been there on a weekend, but never heard of it filling up....

Outdoor Lover wrote:Planning an invasion Kurt?

Yep.... my APCO Club armored personnel carrier owner's is planning a hike.... ;)

@hikeaz You'll have plenty of room for the Tanks....

hikeaz wrote:Yep.... my APO Club armored personnel carrier owner's is planning a hike....

Sounds like the "Scary NRA Militia Types" thread is about to be resurrected

When we hiked the Ridgeline in January there was no berm to prevent driving McKellips all the way to the gate, which is where I parked. There was also a small lot right next to the gate that will probably hold a dozen cars.

When Randy and I did the Flatiron a couple of weeks ago, we parked at the Miner's Camp and crossed over/through to the trail head. There was one car in the McKellips lot and one car parked a little further back down the road before it gets rough. I did notice what appeared to be a barrier, but it was mostly removed.

I would still recommend parking at the Mining Camp, it's easier to get to and offers better security.

The road to the McKellips TH seems to be improving each time I go. Seems like the car eating "baby head rocks" are slowly being cleared. Seen a number of low clearance cars (i.e. Honda Fit) parked at the gate. I still park in the NW corner of the Mining Camp parking lot, it seems like they don't care if you do (potential customers and they do have a bar). On top of that the Mining Camp parking lot has "trail signs" and a very new watering hole for horses entering the park. I really, really doubt that they don't want you parking there. Happy Hour: Mon.-Thur. 1PM-4PM(? ), $3 AZ craft beer and for food stick with the buffet.