Beale Wagon Road Historic Trail • Hike • Arizona • All Triplogs • HikeArizona.COM

Flagstaff, AZ

Hiking		Aug 02 2023
		ddroit • Triplogs 1

Hiking	2.00 Miles	150 AEG

Hiking	2.00 Miles	4 Hrs		0.50 mph
	150 ft AEG		18 LBS Pack

no routes

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To get to this part of the Beale Wagon Road, take 180 NW out of Flagstaff to FR 222B then N. about 1/4 mile on the spur to the N. that goes to Grand Canyon Tank. The hikearizona route map shows the road crossing the spur, but I could not find the road near the spur but after about 1/2 mile of scouting I found a benchmark in the woods. Then the road can be followed, with careful observation, for another 1 1/2 miles. Got rained out and the road was getting hard to follow. I followed it to just beyond FR 9232R. When i figure out how to post fotos, I'll post some with embedded GPS so you can find the road.

Oct 31 2013

natraneil

Photos 5
Triplogs 2

16 male

Joined Mar 15 2008
flagstaff

[ checklist ] Historical Marker Trail Signs and Markings

Flagstaff, AZ

Hiking		Oct 31 2013
		natraneil • Triplogs 2

Hiking	44.30 Miles	2,572 AEG

Hiking	44.30 Miles
	2,572 ft AEG

no routes

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none

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none

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Just to update folks, Kaibab National Forest archaeologists spent a few afternoons this past winter GPSing more than 300 rock cairns, camel posts, and brass cap monuments across the 23 mile recreational trail on the Forest. The route is now much easier to follow. Visit http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/kaibab/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=11675&actid=50
to download the GPS file.

Culture

Culture [ checklist ]

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Government Prairie San Francisco Mountains - Kachina Peaks Wilderness

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Aug 09 2013

juliachaos

Routes 37
Photos 2,160
Triplogs 627

43 female

Joined Mar 01 2010
Phoenix, AZ

CHUMS Summer HAZfest 2013, AZ

Car Camping		Aug 09 2013
		juliachaos • Triplogs 627

Car Camping

Car Camping		3 Days

no routes

no photosets

Linked

11 linked trail guides

Humphreys Summit Trail #151

Wild Bill Hill

Kendrick Peak Trail #22

Lava River Cave Tube

Sitgreaves Mountain

Kachina Trail #150

Veit Springs Trail aka Lamar Haines Loop

Crater Lake

Bull Basin Trail #40 - Kendrick

Pumpkin Trail #39

Partners

34 partners

HAZ - Event

	Alex	ASUAviator
	azbackpackr	Barrett
	beterarcher	BiFrost
	BobP	chumley
	cindyl	ElliotAlford
	GrottoGirl	Hikergirl81
	Hippy	JoelHazelton
	John9L	Jonnybackpack
	laurabalaura	LittleKnee
	moo	MyRudy
	nonot	Oregon_Hiker
	outdoor_lover	Pivo
	PrestonSands	RedwallNHops
	slowandsteady	snakemarks
	southpawaz	squatpuke
	tibber	Tugger
	uphill_junkie	VolcanoCLMBR

Great weekend, great people, great food, great beer, great outdoors....

_____________________

Jul 30 2011

Guides 71
Routes 98
Photos 9,967
Triplogs 1,009

65 male

Joined May 14 2003
Ahwatukee, AZ

Flagstaff, AZ

Hiking		Jul 30 2011
		Randal_Schulhauser • Triplogs 1,009

Hiking	5.00 Miles	2,572 AEG

Hiking	5.00 Miles	3 Hrs	1.67 mph
	2,572 ft AEG

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Government Prairie sections of Beale Wagon Road

Up in Flagstaff for an Arizona Bioindustry Association board meeting with some hiking with Lynn and Skippy on the agenda. I'm a board member of the Arizona Bioindustry Association (check out www.azbio.org ) and with our quarterly board meeting scheduled for Flagstaff on Friday 7/29, decided to make it an "over-nighter" to get out of the valley heat and check out some trails.

Booked into the "dog-friendly" Marriott Springhill Suites a couple of weeks in advance (good call as every hotel was SOLD OUT due to Cardinals training camp) and also took advantage of their members' early check-in policy. After a quick stop at Buffalo Park, Lynn and Skippy dropped me off at NACET (check out www.nacet.org ), Flagstaff's hi-tech incubator, who were hosting our board meeting.

After the board meeting, hitched a ride to the "BEER and BIO" (http://beerandbio07292011na.eventbrite.com/ ) meet and greet event hosted at the Tinderbox Kitchen (check out www.tinderboxkitchen.com ) on San Francisco St. just south of the railway tracks.

With board duties completed, caught up with Lynn and Skippy on one of the Flagstaff Urban Trails as we checked out many of the local establishments for some evening munchies. When we got back to the hotel, one of the Phoenix TV stations was in the middle of a live broadcast of Cardinal's training camp activity next to our parked vehicle. The crew was appreciative we didn't disrupt their live broadcast - waiting until they were done before accessing our vehicle. Skippy also seemed to make instant friends with the crew.

Saturday had Government Prairie penciled in for our hiking destination. Threatening skies and the sound of rumbling thunder didn't deter our hiking as we explored Rain Tank Hill and hiked along a double-track towards Government Knolls. We met a couple of mountain bikers along the double-track. One of them had an ultra-cool GPS with built-in weather radar (internet connection I suspect). They indicated a storm was coming down from the north behind Kendrick Peak and was tracking towards us in the next 15-20 minutes. Sure enough, Kendrick Peak began to disappear enveloped in storm clouds. I could see a wall of rain heading towards us, so time to head back to Lynn's mini-van. A torrential rain plus totally soaked us before we made it back to the vehicle. When I started up the van and cranked up the heat, noticed the outside temperature was 59degF. Temperature was 114degF when we got back to the valley around dinner time on Saturday. A +50degF temperature swing in about 3 hours - how about that!

Culture

Culture [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] HAZ Rides

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1 archive

Aug 30 2009

Guides 71
Routes 98
Photos 9,967
Triplogs 1,009

65 male

Joined May 14 2003
Ahwatukee, AZ

Flagstaff, AZ

Hiking		Aug 30 2009
		Randal_Schulhauser • Triplogs 1,009

Hiking	5.25 Miles	2,572 AEG

Hiking	5.25 Miles	4 Hrs	1.31 mph
	2,572 ft AEG

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Rain Tank Hill and Government Knolls on Government Prairie

(side note: this is by far my favorite section of the Beale Wagon Road)

Skippy and I headed up to Flagstaff Sunday morning to take Hannah and Pauli hiking. Main objective was to get Skippy and Pauli out into the country to stretch their legs. Rain Tank Hill and Government Knolls on the northern side of Government Prairie were on the agenda...

Took the I-40 west out of Flagstaff to Exit 185 "Transwestern Road - Bellemont" and continued along the northside frontage road which happens to be remnants of Route 66. Travel about 7 miles until you reach Government Prairie Road - FR107. Head north on FR107 about 5 miles until you see a Y-intersection double track heading east near Rain Tank Hill. This is FR730/793. There isn't any signage near the intersection, but as you progress east along the double track you will see faded Forest Road signs indicating FR730 or FR793. You will come to a fork in the road on the northern side of Rain Tank Hill with the namesake rain tank visible to the south. Take the left fork heading towards the cattle fence.

We stopped here to make a trek up Rain Tank Hill. Dogs were endlessly entertained chasing the tennis ball Hannah brought along for the hike.

Back in the truck again, you pass through the gate (note the sign requesting that you keep the gate closed - "Loose cows eat cars") and onto the expanses of Government Prairie. About a ¼ mile past the gate you cross the Historic Beale Wagon Road. There used to be a posted sign with the ubiquitous camel emblem denoting the wagon road - I don't know where that's gone, but did manage to locate a nearby 4x4 post marker and ground marker (see http://hikearizona.com/t2007/12/09/5929 ... 036-30.jpg )...

We continued along FR730/793 towards Government Knolls. At the signage near Horseshoe Tank and the western base of Government Knolls, we stopped for a short photo op. I've previously used this location to park the truck (see http://hikearizona.com/phoZOOM.php?ZIP=71435 ) and hike a circuitous route up to the top of the knoll. This time we continued along the forest road to the north side of Government Knolls and parked where the knoll has a V-shaped notch. This notch leads you to the central caldera of this cinder cone. From here the hiking grades are much less steep than those near Horseshoe Tank.

At the top of the knoll is a fantastic payoff -- stellar 360 degree views with the San Francisco Peaks to the east, expansive Government Prairie to the south, Sitgreaves Mountain to the west and Kendrick Peak to the north. Worth just sitting there taking it all in...

A couple of light showers passed through - nothing substantial to interupt our hike. Odd that the wind was gusting from the west, yet clouds were rolling in from the east!

Continued northeast on the forest road beyond Government Knoll and "discovered" what looks like an abandoned water tanker truck used by fire fighting crews. Continued beyond the abandonded tanker until we came to a gated field marked with many signs indicating "Private Property - trespassers will be shot". Sounds friendly...

Back-tracked to Government Prairie Road, and headed north to FR100 to Hwy 180. Once in Flagstaff, Hannah and I went to check out Diablo Burger http://www.diabloburger.com/Diablo_Burger/home.html I've been curious about this establishment since an it appeared in the Arizona Republic last month as serving one of the "10 Best Burgers in Arizona". Unfortunately it's closed on Sunday...

Wildflowers Observation Isolated

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2 archives

Jun 25 2009

hippiepunkpirate

Guides 25
Routes 36
Photos 2,890
Triplogs 658

39 male

Joined May 30 2008
Peoria, AZ

Hart Prairie

Hart Prairie

Flagstaff, AZ

Hiking		Jun 25 2009
		hippiepunkpirate • Triplogs 658

Hiking	5.70 Miles	600 AEG

Hiking	5.70 Miles
	600 ft AEG

no routes

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[ checklist ] Arizona Mules Ears Bristlecone Pine Richardsons Geranium Rocky Mountain Iris Silverstem Lupine Trifolium (clover) Western Sneezeweed

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A wonderful trip to Hart Prairie with my father. We made a quick stop by C. Hart Merriam's historic campsite, and then hiked around the Bismark Lake area. Part of the hike was done on the new Arizona Trail sections. Headed home the long way with a drive through Government Prairie.

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

Wildflowers Observation Moderate

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My blog: Mountain Tripper
My book: Arizona: A Photographic Journey

Sep 06 2008

fotogirl53

Guides 5
Photos 1,229
Triplogs 181

female

Joined Mar 18 2008
Flagstaff, AZ

Flagstaff, AZ

Hiking		Sep 06 2008
		fotogirl53 • Triplogs 181

Hiking	2.00 Miles	2,572 AEG

Hiking	2.00 Miles
	2,572 ft AEG

no routes

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I drove out to the trailhead for Laws Spring, just off the Beale Wagon Road north of I40 at the Deer Farm exit. The "trail" is just a few hundred feet from the parking area. It quickly dropped down into a little canyon to the springs. There were pools of water, but no running water. I spent the next two hours exploring the drainage down from the springs. There is rock art all along the way, evidence of owls (pellets and feathers) and I even found a cave! It went about 20 feet back, and there is soot all over the ceiling. This area is a mix of ponderosa pine and junipers. The ponderosas are old growth--very big. Have you ever smelled one up close (your nose on the bark)? They smell like vanilla.
WARNING TO EVERYONE: Hunting season has started here--it's archery now in northern Arizona. Take care to wear bright colors so that you are safe.

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Allergic to cities.

1 archive

Aug 23 2008

Guides 71
Routes 98
Photos 9,967
Triplogs 1,009

65 male

Joined May 14 2003
Ahwatukee, AZ

Flagstaff, AZ

Hiking		Aug 23 2008
		Randal_Schulhauser • Triplogs 1,009

Hiking	4.00 Miles	500 AEG

Hiking	4.00 Miles	3 Hrs	1.33 mph
	500 ft AEG

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none

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Government Knolls on Government Prairie

Lynn and I went up to Flagstaff to visit Hannah and see her new condo apartment in Highland Village and drop off some of her items she had in storage. Also went up to get Skippy and Pauli out into the country to stretch their legs. Government Knolls on the northern side of Government Prairie were on the agenda...

Took the I-40 west out of Flagstaff to Exit 185 "Transwestern Road - Bellemont" and continued along the northside frontage road which happens to be remnants of Route 66. Travel about 7 miles until you reach Government Prairie Road - FR107. Head north on FR107 about 5 miles until you see a Y-intersection double track heading east near Rain Tank Hill. This is FR730/793. There is not signage near the intersection, but as you progress east along the double track you will see faded Forest Road signs indicating FR730 or FR793. You will come to a fork in the road on the northern side of Rain Tank Hill with the namesake rain tank visible to the south. Take the left fork heading towards the cattle fence.

Pass through the gate (note the sign requesting that you keep the gate closed - "Loose cows eat cars") and onto the expanses of Government Prairie. About a ¼ mile past the gate you cross the Historic Beale Wagon Road. There used to be a posted sign with the ubiquitous camel emblem denoting the wagon road - don't know where it's gone...

We continued along FR730/793 towards Government Knolls testing out my new shocks and ball joints on the F-150. At the signage near Horseshoe Tank and the base of Government Knolls, we parked the truck and began a hiking circuitous route up to the top of the knoll.

There were plenty of wildflowers with threatening clouds near Sitgreaves Mountain and beyond Kendrick Peak. At the top of the knoll is a fantastic payoff -- stellar 360 degree views with the San Francisco Peaks to the east, expansive Government Prairie to the south, Sitgreaves Mountain to the west and Kendrick Peak to the north. Worth just sitting there taking it all in...

Wildflowers Observation Substantial

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4 archives

Jul 12 2008

Guides 71
Routes 98
Photos 9,967
Triplogs 1,009

65 male

Joined May 14 2003
Ahwatukee, AZ

Flagstaff, AZ

Hiking		Jul 12 2008
		Randal_Schulhauser • Triplogs 1,009

Hiking	3.00 Miles	750 AEG

Hiking	3.00 Miles	2 Hrs	1.50 mph
	750 ft AEG

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Rain Tank Hill on Government Prairie

Lynn, Skippy and I went up to Flagstaff today to rendezvous with Hannah and Pauli. We wanted to hike in an area we thought would be less likely to be hit by the monsoons and accompanying thunder and lightning - Rain Tank Hill - http://hikearizona.com/phoZOOM.php?ZIP=51968 on Government Prairie was our selected target.

After grabbing an early lunch at the Flagstaff Wendy's, we headed west along the I-40 about 10 miles to Transwestern Road (exit#185). We continued west along the Frontage Road another 7 miles until we came to FR107 (Government Prairie Road). We continued north on FR107 about 5 miles until we could see Rain Tank Hill on the east side.

Government Prairie never disappoints - lots of song birds, insects, and wild flowers. We contoured up to the top of Rain Tank Hill and enjoyed the view. We could see a dark cloud over Flagstaff and the occasional bolts of lightning. Eventually a light rain started and we headed back to the truck.

Noticing clear skies towards Garland Prairie, thought we'd check out the Overland Road Historic Trail...

Wildflowers Observation Moderate

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2 archives

May 24 2008

Guides 71
Routes 98
Photos 9,967
Triplogs 1,009

65 male

Joined May 14 2003
Ahwatukee, AZ

Flagstaff, AZ

Hiking		May 24 2008
		Randal_Schulhauser • Triplogs 1,009

Hiking	3.75 Miles	200 AEG

Hiking	3.75 Miles	2 Hrs	1.88 mph
	200 ft AEG

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none

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Lynn, Skippy, and I went up to Flag to visit Hannah and Pauli. Intermittent snow, sleet, rain, and hale. Hiked through the woods near the FR171 crossing.

Headed over to Hart Prairie and got pushed back by a blizzard. Hope all those Memorial Day campers along Hart Prairie are having fun...

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1 archive

Dec 27 2007

Guides 71
Routes 98
Photos 9,967
Triplogs 1,009

65 male

Joined May 14 2003
Ahwatukee, AZ

Flagstaff, AZ

Hiking		Dec 27 2007
		Randal_Schulhauser • Triplogs 1,009

Hiking	6.00 Miles	2,572 AEG

Hiking	6.00 Miles	6 Hrs	1.00 mph
	2,572 ft AEG

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linked

La Posada Walking Tour

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Beale Wagon Road - East of Flagstaff

3 days
9 hiking trails
543 photos
967.6 miles
La Posada Hotel in Winslow AZ as base camp
Priceless!

With Jack Beale Smith's "A Guide to the Beale Wagon Road through the Coconino National Forest" and Tom Jonas' weblinks (http://www.southwestexplorations.com) serving as our primary route references we made our way to the HAZ trail head at the intersection of Linda Vista Drive and 4th Street in Flagstaff.

The old wagon road lies beneath Linda Vista Drive as we head east towards the junction with Route 66. The wagon road route now parallels Route 66 and the BNSF rail line as it exits Flagstaff.

Where Route 66 connects with I-40 at Walnut Canyon Road, the wagon road route follows the rail line on the south side of Turkey Hills and drops into Wildcat Canyon. There are Forest Roads within the vicinity of the old wagon road, but we chose to take a direct route along I-40 to the Cosnino Road exit.

We pick up the old wagon road route near the intersection of Cosnino Road and County Road 394 as it continues along Wildcat Canyon and the San Francisco Wash through private lands. Heading west along County Road 394 to Leupp Road, the old wagon road roughly parallels Leupp Road all the way to the Little Colorado River.

One historic stop along Leupp Road includes the Cosnino Caves and Turkey Tanks near the junction of Walnut Creek and San Francisco Wash. Reference Cosnino Caves per http://www.tomjonas.com/swex/cosnino2.htm and http://www.tomjonas.com/swex/wherecosnino.htm

We unsuccessfully search for Register Rock near the confluence of the Little Colorado River and Canyon Diablo at the village of Sunrise. Reference Register Rock per http://www.tomjonas.com/swex/registerrock.htm and Canyon Diablo per http://www.tomjonas.com/swex/canyondiablo.htm

We follow Hwy 99 from Sunrise to I-40 just west of Winslow. At Winslow, we make our base camp at La Posada Hotel prior to heading further west to the Petrified Forest National Park. I'm told that the Beale Wagon Road lies beneath Route 66 as it traverses the National Park.

We didn't have time to locate Navajo Springs east of PEFO. Reference http://www.southwestexplorations.com/wherenavspring.htm

For the record, the 9 hiking trails include...

1. Beale Wagon Road
2. Homolovi (Sunset crossing)
3. Onyx Bridge
4. Rainbow Forest
5. Painted Desert
6. Hopi Three Mesas
7. Coal Mine Canyon
8. Rock Art Ranch
9. Chevelon Canyon

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Dec 27 2007

Guides 71
Routes 98
Photos 9,967
Triplogs 1,009

65 male

Joined May 14 2003
Ahwatukee, AZ

Homolovi Ruins

Northeast, AZ

Homolovi Ruins

Northeast, AZ

Hiking		Dec 27 2007
		Randal_Schulhauser • Triplogs 1,009

Hiking	1.00 Miles	136 AEG

Hiking	1.00 Miles	1 Hour	1.00 mph
	136 ft AEG

Linked

linked

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Tracing the Beale Wagon Road through the remnants of the Mormon settlement of Sunset Crossing. Reference http://www.pr.state.az.us/Images/Sunset%20Fort%20A.pdf

The remains of the Sunset Community Cemetery are located close to the Homolovi State Park Visitor Center. The Mormon settlement was established in 1876 and abandoned in 1888. Remains of the mill, dam, and other buildings were all washed away during a major flood of the Little Colorado River in 1933. Google "Lot Smith" for more information...

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Dec 27 2007

Guides 71
Routes 98
Photos 9,967
Triplogs 1,009

65 male

Joined May 14 2003
Ahwatukee, AZ

Onyx Bridge

Northeast, AZ

Onyx Bridge

Northeast, AZ

Hiking		Dec 27 2007
		Randal_Schulhauser • Triplogs 1,009

Hiking	1.00 Miles	345 AEG

Hiking	1.00 Miles	1 Hour	1.00 mph
	345 ft AEG

no routes

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Tracing the Beale Wagon Road as it traverses the Petrified Forest National Park. Apparently the old wagon road is buried beneath the remains of Route 66 which passes the Onyx Bridge trail head beside the Painted Desert Inn.

In a strange sense of symmetry, our base camp at La Posada in Winslow was designed by Mary Colter who designed and supervised the Painted Desert Inn renovations when the Fred Harvey Company purchased the Inn during the 1940's.

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Dec 01 2007

Guides 71
Routes 98
Photos 9,967
Triplogs 1,009

65 male

Joined May 14 2003
Ahwatukee, AZ

Flagstaff North Urban Trail

Flagstaff, AZ

Hiking		Dec 01 2007
		Randal_Schulhauser • Triplogs 1,009

Hiking	3.00 Miles

Hiking	3.00 Miles	2 Hrs	1.50 mph

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Completed the last leg through snowy/rainy Flagstaff today with Hannah from Linda Vista to Switzer Mesa and on to Oldtown. Think I have all the info to complete the trail description.

Had an interesting side trip to Mogollon Brewery & Distillery where proprietor Dave Williamson gave us an in-depth tasting tour. Came away with what I'm sure will become an Arizona icon - a bottle of prickly pear vodka...

http://www.azcentral.com/ent/music/articles/1012distillery-ON-CP.html

http://www.luxist.com/2006/01/14/arizona-high-spirits-prickly-pear-vodka/

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Dec 01 2007

Flagstaff North Urban Trail

Guides 71
Routes 98
Photos 9,967
Triplogs 1,009

65 male

Joined May 14 2003
Ahwatukee, AZ

Flagstaff North Urban Trail

Flagstaff, AZ

Hiking		Dec 01 2007
		Randal_Schulhauser • Triplogs 1,009

Hiking	1.95 Miles	100 AEG

Hiking	1.95 Miles	30 Mns	3.90 mph
	100 ft AEG

no routes

no photosets

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Located Antelope Springs (now City Pond) near Old Town and the original namesake flag staff monument researching the Beale Wagon Road route.

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Sep 16 2007

Guides 71
Routes 98
Photos 9,967
Triplogs 1,009

65 male

Joined May 14 2003
Ahwatukee, AZ

Flagstaff, AZ

Hiking		Sep 16 2007
		Randal_Schulhauser • Triplogs 1,009

Hiking	5.00 Miles	600 AEG

Hiking	5.00 Miles	5 Hrs	1.00 mph
	600 ft AEG

Linked

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Wild Bill Hill

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Hannah, Skippy, and I were "History Detectives" again completing sections of the Historic Trail between Flagstaff and westward to Government Prairie. I've been gathering "bits and pieces" of information piecing together the exact route the old wagon road/immigrant trail followed in anticipation of creating a HAZ hike description.

Today was another combination of off-roading (actually following a variety of city streets and Forest Roads) plus hiking. The maps we used can be found in "A Guide to the Beale Wagon Road through Flagstaff Arizona" and "A Guide to the Beale Wagon Road through the Coconino National Forest", both by Jack Beale Smith.

I started the day with a 4:45am alarm, picked up Hannah from NAU and we were at the Buffalo Park TH by 8:00am. We located the vandalized remains of a historic marker and commemorative sign near the entrance of Buffalo Park beside the water tank reservoir. Cedar Road has been relocated and the McMillan Mesa Trail now appears to follow some of the original wagon road route.

We then followed one of the later Beale Wagon Road routes towards the heart of Flagstaff connecting with the Overland Road Historic Trail (see HAZ hike description http://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=499 ).

We stopped at the Museum of Northern Arizona to view San Francisco Springs presumed to be within the Rio de Flag canyon on the west side of the museum. Unfortunately none of the people on staff today at the museum had any knowledge about the Beale Wagon Road.

Tom Jonas http://www.tomjonas.com/swex/beale.htm indicates;
"Jack Beale Smith tells me that the Beale Wagon Road passed between the museum building and the road at this point. There is a spring immediately behind the museum in a small canyon which was a watering stop for the Whipple expedition and the Beale Wagon Road. Whipple called it San Francisco Spring."

After our stop at the Museum of Northern Arizona we made our way to Leroux Springs located at the north side of Fort Valley, off FR516 (aka Snowbowl Drive). From Leroux Springs the Beale Wagon Road more-or-less follows the gas pipeline right-of-way until it intersects again with Hwy 180.

We located one of the historic markers near the intersection of Hwy 180 and FR151 (aka Hart Prairie Road) and another just west of the intersection of Hwy 180 and FR222B. The old wagon road follows FR222B a short distance until it veers northwest along an unmarked 4WD Forest Road. With the path blocked by a substantial mud hole, we doubled back to FR222B and continued west until we reached FR9008N.

Traveling north on FR9008N to the intersection with FR9009N, we parked the F-150 and located historic markers and blazes where the Beale Wagon Road crosses. We hiked west along the old wagon road encounter elk along the way. Nearby sounds of gunshots and ATV's made us wary of continuing along the route.

Back at the truck again, we made our way to FR171 and located the historic markers demarcating the Beale Wagon Road crossing near the intersection with FR??? I failed to take note of the Forest Road number, but can report it is the first road north of FR171C along FR171. We hiked both east and west of these markers.

Later we followed FR??? (first road north of FR171C and south of FR156) in a westerly direction towards Wild Bill Hill. We hiked up this ancient volcano and obtained spectacular views in all directions. Government Prairie was visible to the west, along with Government Knoll and Rain Tank Hill where we finished our previous hike along the Beale Wagon Road.

Fauna

Fauna [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Horned Lizard

_____________________

Sep 01 2007

Guides 71
Routes 98
Photos 9,967
Triplogs 1,009

65 male

Joined May 14 2003
Ahwatukee, AZ

Flagstaff, AZ

Hiking		Sep 01 2007
		Randal_Schulhauser • Triplogs 1,009

Hiking	7.50 Miles

Hiking	7.50 Miles	6 Hrs	1.25 mph

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

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no partners

Hannah, Skippy, and I were "history detectives" completing sections of the Historic Trail between Law's Spring and Government Prairie. I've been gathering "bits and pieces" of information piecing together the exact route the old wagon road/immigrant trail followed in anticipation of creating a HAZ hike description.

Today was a combination of off-roading (actually following a variety of Forest Roads) and hiking. Our mountain bikes could have come in handy completing some of the sections.

Law's Spring section turned out to be a 2.2 mile loop hike as we parked our truck along FR115 where the Beale Wagon Road crosses. We headed west along the wagon road following the 4x4 posts and cairns along the way until we found the side trail heading to Law's Spring. Once at the spring, we sought out various rock art symbols and historic engravings. There is a parking lot near the spring at the terminus of FR2030. We hiked back to the truck via FR2030 and FR115 completing the loop hike.

Obsidian Tank to Breckinridge Spring was a 2.0 mile return side trail that mostly follows Obsidian Road from FR100 near Obsidian Tank. The route from Law's Spring to Obsidian Tank was a complicated Forest Road route that more-or-less paralleled the Beale Wagon Road. Take FR115 to the intersection of FR707 & FR712. Take FR712 in a northeast direction until you join FR713. FR713 is directly on top of the old Beale Wagon Road. At the junction of FR713 & FR141, follow FR141 east to FR97. There are Beale Camel signs at both these intersections. FR97 will join back onto FR141 through Spring Valley. When FR141 bends sharply to the south, look for FR100 heading east. Follow FR100 to Obsidian Tank.

Government Prairie section was a 2.8 mile return trail that follows the original rutted path followed by the wagons. Remains of settler's homesteads are dotted along the trail. This is a fascinating section of the trail. We parked the truck at the intersection of FR100 and FR107 and entered through the barbed-wire gate. There are many side trails that lead to a rather confusing route. 4x4 posts with the distinctive carved camels indicating the Beale Wagon Road are few and far between. In general, follow the rutted wagon tracks east from the intersection of FR100 and FR107. When you reach the edge of the woods, spot the 4x4 posts across the field directly south towards Rain Tank Hill. You will enter a wooded section and pop out beside a fenced section indicating private lands. The wagon road follows the east side of the fence, confirmed by a couple of 4x4 posts with carved camels. As the fence line ends, the wagon ruts turn to the southeast across the prairie. We stopped where the trail crosses FR793 that passes the north side of Rain Tank Hill.

Rain Tank Hill is a 0.5 mile hike up a bare cinder cone that reminds me of the knolls around Springerville AZ. We parked at the intersection of FR107 and FR793. NOTE; there is no signage for FR793.

Government Knoll is further east along FR793. The monsoon storm earlier in the day rendered this 4WD path impassable. We didn't want to risk running our 2WD F-150 through this mucky-muck and getting stuck in the middle of nowhere with the sun going down!

We'll return soon, perhaps with our mountain bikes, to complete the section between Government Knoll and Leroux Springs near Snowbowl

3 of the sections hiked are described in "FLAGSTAFF HIKES" by Richard and Sherry Mangum.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/ ... ikearizona

Maps from historians Donna & Jack Beale Smith plus Neil Weintraub at the Kaibab National Forest Service came in handy today...
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/ ... ikearizona

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Indian Paintbrush Purple Loco

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Agassiz Peak Humphreys Peak

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Aug 25 2007

Guides 71
Routes 98
Photos 9,967
Triplogs 1,009

65 male

Joined May 14 2003
Ahwatukee, AZ

Flagstaff, AZ

Hiking		Aug 25 2007
		Randal_Schulhauser • Triplogs 1,009

Hiking	3.75 Miles

Hiking	3.75 Miles	3 Hrs	1.25 mph

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

none

no partners

Started the day on Switzer Mesa tracking down the two main routes. One dates from 1857 to 1865 and was realigned from 1865 to 1882 to accommodate the burgeoning town of Flagstaff. Stopped at the Museum of Northern Arizona in search of the San Francisco Springs located at this site. Also completed the section starting near Leroux Springs at the base of Snow Bowl on the north & east side of SR180. Fabian and I picked up the trail again near the intersection of FR222B and SR180. Pushed westward towards FR171. Torrential rains, accompanied by requisite lightning and thunder plus the added bonus of mega-hail rapidly created a mucky soup. We decided that the 2WD F-150 could be stranded and beat a hasty retreat south towards Route 66. Hail had accumulated in spots looking like an August snowstorm. From Route 66 we stopped at Keyhole Sink http://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=498 and made our way to FR74 to find the Laws Spring TH. Once again a torrential rain created a slippery mucky-muck that convinced us to make a 200 point-turn (it's a narrow road) and head back to Route 66...

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Aug 12 2007

Guides 71
Routes 98
Photos 9,967
Triplogs 1,009

65 male

Joined May 14 2003
Ahwatukee, AZ

Flagstaff, AZ

Hiking		Aug 12 2007
		Randal_Schulhauser • Triplogs 1,009

Hiking	1.00 Miles

Hiking	1.00 Miles	1 Hour	1.00 mph

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

none

no partners

More of a reconnaissance mission than a hike. Spent the day up in Flag with Lynn, Hannah, and Skippy. After hiking along Hart Prairie, and Bismarck Lake in particular, we made our way south from Hwy 180 past Kendrick Peak and onto Government Prairie. Passed 2 of the largest elk herds I've ever seen, one with 25+ and another with 35+ animals. Deer were everywhere as well. We were startled by our timid springer spaniel pup when he let instinct get the better of him and he started to "hunt" some of the deer. His muffled, threatening "barks" were hilarious!

We intended to make our way west along the historic wagon road to Laws Spring but couldn't seem to stay on the correct trail as we consistently found the trail/forest road veered off to the south or doubled back to the east.

Finding a map that actually has the Beale Wagon Road indicated has eluded me. I've sent requests to the Kaibab FS and they have so far gone unanswered. I'd appreciate hearing from anyone who can help...

Fauna

Fauna [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Elk Mule Deer

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Apr 01 2007

BrettVet

Guides 15
Routes 40
Photos 335
Triplogs 48

75 male

Joined Apr 23 2004
Tucson, AZ