March Through History on Old Military Trail

If you’re looking for an adventurous, uncrowded hike that will cover a lot of ground and is accessible to less-experienced hikers, consider this nearly 12mile trail at the northern end of Prescott National

Forest, nearer to Seligman than to Prescott.

The Old Military Trail follows the route of a supply road used by the

Army during conflicts with the Hualapai tribe in the 1860s.

The trail begins near the

Walnut Creek Center for

Research and Education, a former ranger station now used for study by researchers and students from Prescott

College and Northern

Arizona University.

You will first encounter rolling hills covered with pinyon and juniper, providing you with a gentle but consistent workout.

After the first couple of miles, the route shifts to the east and begins to climb sharply until reaching a mountain pass, the highest point of the trail. This is where you may see evidence of the trail being widened to allow wagons to pass through the area.

This will be the most demanding stretch — the rest of the trail gradually eases downhill. Once it enters the Pine Creek drainage area you will start walking through denser ponderosa forest.

Eventually you will reach Forest Route 7, which can be used as a midway access point to enter or leave the trail if you’re only wanting to do half of it or turn back for a round trip of approximately 11 miles.

You’ll find woodsy canyons and wide-open meadows for the last 5 or so miles of the trail, providing some gorgeous scenery as you continue downhill until reaching the trail’s end at the two small reservoirs at Happy Camp Tank. You can have someone pick you up here or double back for even more adventure on this off-the-beaten-path path!

1

Trail etiquette is an important part of keeping our trails fun and safe for all trail users SHARE THE TRAIL

1

4/15/2013

1

C125

OLD MILITARY TRAIL NO. 1

This path was first blazed through scrubland and forest northwest of Paulden by the U.S. Army in the late 1860s. It begins near Camp Hualapai, where you can see the ruins of a fort established to protect a toll road, and travels northwest to Happy Camp.

It runs through a checkerboard of publicly and privately held land, so leave any gates you pass through open or closed as you find them.

The trail is open to motorcyclists and OHV users (vehicles no wider than 50 inches) as well as hikers, mountain bikers and equestrian users. Be aware of your surroundings and prepared to get out of the way as needed.

To reach the southern trailhead from Prescott, travel north on Williamson Valley Road for 38 miles to the junction with FR 95. Turn left (west) and travel about 1.5 miles. The trailhead is one-fifth of a mile east of the Walnut Creek center.

Road conditions are suitable for all vehicles in good weather.

Parking fees: None Uses: Hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, motorcycles and ATVs Distance: 11.8 miles (one way) Level of difficulty: Moderate Elevation: 5,000 feet to 6,500 feet