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LIME KILN-BILL ENSIGN TRAILS
Cottonwood
 |
| Bill Ensign Trail |
The Lime Kiln Trail is a
reclaimed wagon road that was originally used from the 1890s thru the
early 1900s to transport building materials and market goods between
Cottonwood and Sedona. Today, the 15-mile-long route serves as a
recreational trail for hikers, equestrians and mountain bikers
anchored by Dead Horse Ranch State park in the west and and Red Rock
State Park in the east. Named for a kiln built in the 1880s to
produce mortar for the construction of several homes in Cottonwood
area, the trail wanders through a landscape of limestone-layered
rock formations dotted with Crucifixion thorn, juniper and
beavertail cacti with impressive views of the mining town of Jerome,
Mingus and Woodchute Mountains and Sedona's House Mountain volcano.
Multiple access points and connecting trails provide dozens of day
hike and backpack options. One to try is an out-and-back circuit using
the Lime Kiln and Bill Ensign trails. Beginning from the Lagoon
trailhead at DHRSP, this trip passes by the kiln site where
interested hikers can take a short spur trail to the crumbling
remains. At the 1.7-mile point, turn right at the Bill Ensign
junction and hike 1.5 miles through high desert terrain skirting the
boundary of the Verde Valley Botanical Area--a preserve established
to protect the endangered Arizona Cliffrose. The trail culminates at
a high point overlooking a riparian corridor of willows and
cottonwoods along the Verde River.
LENGTH: 7.5 miles (as described here)
RATING: moderate
ELEVATION: 3,300' – 3,590'
FEE: $7 daily fee per vehicle
FACILITIES: restrooms, camp sites,
cabins, picnic ramadas, fishing
GETTING THERE:
Dead Horse Ranch State Park
From Interstate 17 go north to State
Route 260 exit 287 and head west toward Cottonwood. Continue 11
miles to Main Street in Cottonwood (Hwy 89A) and turn left. Continue
through Cottonwood on Main Street, turn right on 10th Street and
follow the signs to the park.
INFO:
MAPS:
Lime Kiln-Bill Ensign:
Lime Kiln:
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