Location

  • Interstate 40 to Schultz Pass

Length

  • 13.7 miles

Southern Access Point: I-40, Cosnino Road Exit

Access

From Flagstaff, travel east on I-40 and take the Cosnino Road exit, number 207.  Turn right and then immediately turn right again onto the frontage road.  Continue on the frontage road for 0.7 miles to a very small unofficial pullout on the south side of the road, not suitable for horse trailers.  From this point, the southern terminus of Passage 32 lies 0.2 miles east, via a two-track trail, at an underpass below the railroad tracks and the freeway.

Northern Access Point: Schultz Pass

Access

To reach the starting point, drive on Interstate 17 (or I-40) to downtown Flagstaff, and drive north on Highway 180 (North Fort Valley Road). After you pass the Sechrist School on the right (east), continue 1.5 miles and then turn right (northeast) on Schultz Pass Road (FR 420). Follow this paved road 0.7 mile, turning left (north) at the fork in the road. Continue north for 3.9 miles to a small parking area on the right (south) side of Schultz Pass Road. The AZT can be found on the north side of Schultz Pass Road across from the parking area.

Trail Route Description

The trail heads north, goes under some railroad tracks and heads west. It follows Wildcat Canyon and after several junctions and a gate, the trail reaches FR 510. From here it works its way north and west, and across a large open area. After reaching a road it follows it due west for a short distance and then continues northwest up to the Rio de Flag and a bridged crossing. Climbing out of this drainage the trail crosses numerous 2-track roads and then goes under Highway 89. A turn to the northeast and it reaches the junction to the Sandy Seep Trailhead. The route now follows the Sandy Seep Trail, connects with the Little Elden Trail, climbs up and around Little Elden Mountain and then reaches Schultz Pass Road and the Schultz Pass Trailhead.

 

Difficulty

  • Moderate

Season(s)

Water

There are no reliable water sources on this passage. Water can sometimes be found in some of the drainages the trail crosses and there is water in the city of Flagstaff.

Notes/Warnings

  • All water along this passage should be purified prior to use.
  • The water in the Rio de Flag is contaminated and should not be used.

Resources

  • USGS Topographic Maps: Winona, Flagstaff East, Sunset Crater West and Humphreys Peak.
  • Coconino National Forest – Visitors Guide.
  • Coconino National Forest – Recreational Opportunity Guide.
  • Coconino National Forest map.
  • BLM Information Center maps.

For more information

Current Passage Info

Alternate Bridge Crossing

September 15, 2017
The bridge over the Rio de Flag in this passage may be a problem for equestrians. There is an alternative crossing about 1/4 mile northeast/upstream. There are two-track roads on both sides of the stream that you can follow to get to this bridge.
Read More

 

Flickr Photos

Photos from the Arizona Trail Association’s Flickr galleries, for this specific passage. View the entire Flickr account.

[AFG_gallery id=’33’]

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