Arizona Daily Sun (Jun 22, 2021) by Sam McManis Whenever I step foot on a passage of the Arizona Trail, especially a segment that’s somewhat remote, I think about all those hardy (crazy?) thru-hikers who have traversed the 800-mile trail, in toto. How were they feeling at this point in their epic trek? Were they dehydrated, blister-sore and cursing the universe? Or were they blissfully loping along, cosmically at one with the rustling pines, swaying juniper and prickly cactus? Were they lonely out there for weeks with only a book or smart phone music to keep them company after another dusty day? I feel for these women and men whose only source of support are the “trail angels” who sometimes leave water — or sustaining granola bars — at various junctions along the way. On a recent weekend morning, when I had just set off on a 12.3-mile loop that included a 5.5-mile stretch of Passage 29 of the AZT (the Mormon Lake area), I literally stumbled upon what I figured had to be a thru-hiker artifact. I was a mile into the part of the AZT where Lake Mary Road meets Forest Road 91, when on the singletrack I noticed a...
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Location
- Gooseberry Springs Trailhead to Mayflower Spring
Length
- 14.8 miles
Southern Trailhead: Gooseberry Springs Trailhead
- GPS Coordinates: 34.82130° N, 111.43177° W
Access
From the turnoff leading from Forest Highway 3 to Mormon Lake Village, continue south on Forest Highway 3 for approximately 5 miles and then turn left onto a prominent road (FR 92) on the south side of an open meadow, and drive 0.25 miles to a sharp left turn in the road; the trailhead and a steel AZT sign are on your right. You can also reach this point from AZ 87 by driving north on Forest Highway 3.
Northern Access Point: Mayflower Spring
- GPS Coordinates: 34.96637° N, 111.48621° W
Access
From Flagstaff, take the Lake Mary Road exit (339) off I-17 for ~20 miles, then turn right (west) on Mormon Lake Road (Highway 90). Follow this about 3 miles to an unmarked turnoff on the right. This two-track dirt road leads to Mayflower Spring (~0.4 miles).
Trail Route Description
Passage 29 continues north through Coconino National Forest and traverses along the Colorado Plateau. This section has little to no elevation gain or loss, is relatively easy, and crosses beautiful, open meadows beside aspen and pine forests. Fallen pine needles often cover the trail, creating a soft tread and a nice break from the rocky and rugged sections further south.
Starting from the Gooseberry Springs Trailhead, the trail crosses several dirt roads, follows the route of an old railroad bed, and traverses along the west side of Mormon Lake. Mormon Lake Lodge is one mile away via the Navajo Spring Trail.
Difficulty
- Moderate
Season(s)
- Spring, Summer and Fall
- Current weather forecast
Water
Water can usually be found at Double Springs and Dairy Springs Campgrounds, and at some of the stock tanks along the route. There is seasonal water at Navajo Spring and in some of the drainages the trail crosses. Check the online Arizona Trail Water Report for current information at https://aztrail.org/explore/water-sources/.
Notes/Warnings
- All water along this passage should be purified prior to use.
Resources
- Map of Passage 29
- USGS Topographic Maps: Hutch Mountain and Mormon Lake.
- Coconino National Forest – Visitors Guide.
- Coconino National Forest – Recreational Opportunity Guide.
- Coconino National Forest map.
- BLM Information Center maps.
For more information
- The Passage Steward
- Coconino National Forest, Flagstaff Ranger District, 5075 N. Hwy 89, Flagstaff, AZ 86004 (928) 526-0866.
- BLM Information Center (602) 417-9300.
