Arizona Trailblazers Hiking Club
Arizona Mineral Belt Day Hike
| when |
Trip Report :
June 10, 2017
|
| |
Trip Report :
August 30, 2014
|
| where |
Flagstaff |
| the hike |
This hike will be historical in nature.
For 3.4 miles, the trail follows the abandoned Arizona Mineral Belt (AMB)
railroad purchased by Flagstaff pioneer Denis Riordan for $40,400 in 1888
at a sheriff’s auction in Prescott who with his brothers used it as
a railroad logging line from Flagstaff to Mormon Mountain.
The last load reached Flagstaff on Oct. 27, 1927, and the tracks were
taken up in 1938.
Used for logging Monday-Saturday, on some Sundays the Flagstaff folks took
the train trip as an afternoon excursion and picnic to the mountain and back.
The AMB line was to eventually connect to the Mogollon rim tunnel,
partially completed, and the mining community of Globe east of Phoenix.
The trail leaves Double Sprs CG, easily accessible from Mormon Lake road.
Leaving the CG, the trail passes above Dairy Springs Campground, crosses
several forest roads and then turns to the east and joins up again with
the old railroad bed.
It crosses FR 132 and then just south of Railroad Tank the trail turns to
the east and works its way over to FR 651 and highway 3 (Lake Mary Road)
which is the entry road to Pinegrove Campground.
| mile | elev. | landmark |
notation |
| 0.0 | 7146' |
Double Springs Campground |
Off from paved FR 90 (intersects with Hwy 3, Lake Mary Road) |
| 0.6 | 7270' |
FR 240 | |
| 1.8 | 7287' |
TJ/Dairy Springs Campground | |
| 2.4 | 7384' |
Road | |
| 2.9 | 7282' |
Road | |
| 4.0 | 7361' |
Gate | |
| 4.1 | 7370' |
Gate | |
| 5.0 | 7206' |
Join old railroad bed |
3 interpretative signs along the railroad bed |
| 5.2 | 7183' |
FR 132 | |
| 8.4 | 6949' |
Leave old railroad bed. |
Trail turns east. |
| 9.8 | 6860' |
FR 651 | |
| 9.9 | 6872' |
Highway 3 (Lake Mary Road) |
Road to Pinegrove Campground parking lot |
This is a one-way hike.
At least one car will be left at the end point to return drivers to the
starting point at Double Springs Campground.
The hike ends at a AZT parking lot just a few yards from the intersection
of Lake Mary Road and the road to Pinegrove Campground.
Expect rain and a slow to medium pace.
At least every 15 mins, we will stop and regroup.
Bring lunch. There is no portable water along the trail, so 3+ quarts is suggested.
Dinner afterwards is optional, so confirm with your driver the return plans and time.
|
| distance |
10.9 miles |
| time |
7-8 hours |
| EC |
+507'-777' elevation change |
| elevations |
7410' (near Mormon Mountain) to 6893' (Pinegrove Campground) |
| type |
one-way |
| starting at |
| Double Springs Campground |
34° 56.572' N, 111° 29.836' W [NAD27]
|
|
| ending at |
| Pinegrove Campground |
35° 01.544' N, 111° 27.414' W [NAD27]
|
|
| on trail |
100% — Arizona Trail, passage 30 |
| rating |
"C+"
Rate yourself as a hiker. |
| dogs allowed |
no |
| cost |
Sharing gas expenses with the driver.
The club also allows voluntary contributions of $5 per non-member. |
| weather |
Flagstaff |
| meet |
6:30 AM in the
Fry’s parking lot on the SW corner of I-17 & Bell Road. Park
behind Denny’s, near the entrance to the Deer Valley Park & Ride.
|