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Coconino National Forest

September 22, 2018 - September 28, 2018

Trip Navigation

This project will be on Passage 29 of the Arizona National Scenic Trail which travels 30+ miles on the forested Colorado Plateau. This isn’t the desert many people imagine when they think of Arizona, but instead a vast Ponderosa woodland, rich with wildlife and human history. Unfortunately, about 18 miles of this passage currently lay on roadway. The USFS Mogollon Rim Ranger District has launched a concerted effort to remove the trail from roadway and construct new trail to National Scenic Trail standards. This project will be creating new single-track through the forest canopy, across meadows and stretches of chaparral. It may include brushing, tread work, small stone work projects and moving debris. The hike to and from the worksite will be between 1 and 4 miles each day.

This trip is hosted and crew led by the Arizona Trail Association.

Host

Arizona Trail Association

Accommodations

Car Camping Tent Sites

Hiking/Access

Day Hiking up to 4 miles per day

Project Rating

Difficult

Minimum Volunteer Age

18

Maximum Group Size

12

Area and Attractions

Arizona Trail Happy Jack Passage 29 travels through the largest continuous stand of Ponderosa Pine in the world. These majestic trees stretch out over the plateau smelling sweetly of vanilla and cinnamon and supporting a vibrant forest community under their branches. Its a kinder, gentler side of Arizona that many people never get to experience. Happy Jack is also located in the heart of Northern Arizona's wonders. To get to our site, we will travel over the Mogollon Rim, one of Arizona's defining landforms. This massive escarpment marks the southern boundary of the Colorado Plateau and supports a surprisingly diverse ecological community as well as some of the most colorful human history in Arizona. Communities like Payson, Pine and Strawberry are built around outdoor recreation and historic tourism. The northern end of this passage is at Mormon Lake, the largest natural lake in Arizona. This is still an arid region, however, and even a lake this large will disappear entirely in dry years, leaving behind spectacular meadows where elk are often found grazing. Mormon Lake Lodge has been serving up great cowboy cooking since 1924, and we'll be sure to visit for a special dinner at least once! Above Mormon Lake tower the magnificent San Francisco Peaks, a string of dormant volcanoes that emerge from the plateau just outside of Flagstaff. Humphrey's Peak, at 12,643' is the highest point in Arizona. From the peak, on a clear day, once can see clear to the Grand Canyon - almost 85 miles away. To the south, the Tonto Natural Bridge State Park is believed to be the largest travertine bridge in the world, over 180 feet high and 400 feet long! Countless opportunities to explore on your recreation day!

Accommodations Description

Volunteers will stay in a car camping tent sites. The Arizona Trail Association will provide food and all cooking gear. The ATA prides itself on offering top quality camp meals. Accommodations may be primitive, but the hospitality never should be! You'll work up an appetite, and we'll reward it. Showers will be available at the end of the trip. Volunteers should bring their own tent, sleeping bag, pad, cup/bowl/eating utensils, and personal items.

Travel

Airport Pickup provided from Phoenix, AZ

Location

Coconino National Forest
8738 Ranger Road, Happy Jack, AZ 86024 United States
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