FS 618

[montezumawell]

The condition of U.S. Forest Service Road #618 currently rates good to very good.

FR 618 is one of the most important roads in the Beaver Creek-West Clear Creek neck of the woods. It connects I-17 at the Sedona exit with State Route 260 over by Camp Verde. This is the road you would take to get to the Bull Pen on West Clear Creek. Or to the Bell Trailhead on the other side. Or to the Land of OZ in between. FR #618 easily rates as the most unknown, under-rated road at the base of the Mogollon Rim. Interestingly, it can take a LOT more usage without suffering the typical slings and arrows of outrageous punishments that FR backroads often take.

Most of you can probably get to FR #618 from the metroplex in a mere 90-120 minutes.

J&S

[Nighthiker]

I traveled this road in November, visited V-Bar-V and went to Bull Pasture to enjoy the scent and sight of Bull Pen from a ridge in full fall colors. Hiked along the lower West Clear Creek. Also saw lots of elk.

[Dschur]

Beginning next week, Coconino National Forest will be replacing an outdated single-lane bridge along Forest Road 618—a heavily used road used by the public when exiting Interstate 17 to reach Beaver Creek near Sedona.

#The construction project will begin Sept. 2 and result in temporarily closure of the bridge, but a detour bypass will be available to allow traffic continued access to Forest Road 618. Travelers in that area should expect some delays and heavy construction traffic.

#The new bridge will meet all current design standards, including two-lane traffic, safety barriers and a rail. The overall bridge length will be increased to allow the existing wash to perform in a natural condition similar to upstream and downstream conditions. The original bridge was installed in 1952 and is currently only single lane.