ROGERS TRAIL

ROGERS TRAIL

Rogers Lake Natural Area

Southwest of Flagstaff, two recreation areas with divergent personalities are now linked.  The recently completed 5.4-mile Rogers Trail tethers the event-centric, party atmosphere of Fort Tuthill County Park with the subdued wilds of Rogers Lake Natural Area.

Switchbacks on Rogers Trail

The non-motorized, flowy trail that straddles the open space between the two Coconino County properties has several access points and many opportunities to create short day hikes, long loops or car shuttle excursions. 

A bee harvests nectar from Butter and Eggs

One convenient out-and-back circuit begins at a trailhead on Forest Road 532.  From the roomy dirt parking lot, pick up the Flagstaff Loop Trail heading west and follow it 0.9-mile to the beginning of Rogers Trail.  Roughly paralleling Woody Mountain Road, the meandering, single track holds steady at around 7100 feet, sweeping easily through wildflower meadows, and shady glens. 

The San Francisco Peaks seen from Rogers Trail

Watch for swarms of butterflies and bees drawing nectar from Butter and Eggs, New Mexican vervain and field bindweed blooms.  After passing by the Arboretum at Flagstaff, where there’s a short access path, the trail turns southwest heading toward the pine-smothered mound of 8045-foot Woody Mountain.  Near the four-mile point, a set of syrupy switchbacks take on the southeast flanks of the mountain. The smartly constructed trail eliminates much of the huff-and-puff of the 600-foot ascent. (I ran into several volunteer forest service workers who were improving drainages on this section.  It’s important that trail users don’t cut switchbacks because doing so will cause the path to degrade and create dangerous conditions.) 

Gambel oaks are common along the trail

The uphill segment winds through thick stands of Gambel oak, New Mexican Locust and Ponderosa pines.  Even with the dense tree cover, glimpses of the San Francisco Peaks can be seen through breaks in the foliage. Trailside basalt boulders, an understory of pine cones and clumpy grasses plus the rustlings of ravens, hawks and mountain blue birds in the canopies complement the trail’s pleasant, away-from-it-all feel.  The route levels out as it approaches its high point at the natural area border. 

New Mexican Vervain attracts pollinators

Continue hiking past the boundary to enjoy vistas of Rogers Lake rolling out 400 feet below.  The sprawling, high-elevation wetland is an important refuge for wildlife and native plant species and it’s common to sight pronghorn and elk skulking around the fringes and domestic cattle converging around puddles.

Acres of pinecones 

At the 6.1-mile point, a metal post marks the spot where Rogers Trail connects with the natural area system. Two Spot Trail heads off to the left while Gold Digger Trail takes the right fork.  For a satisfying 12-mile roundtrip day hike, turn around here.

View of Rogers Lake from the trail's high point

Otherwise, go either way at the junction for a two-mile downhill trek to viewing decks at the edge of the lake.

LENGTH: 5.4 miles one-way (6.1 miles one-way as described here)

RATING: moderate

ELEVATION:  7030 – 7680 feet

GETTING THERE:

EAST ACCESS (as described here):

From Flagstaff, go west on Historic Route 66 to Woody Mountain Road (Forest Road 231) on the left.  Go 1.8 miles south to Forest Road 532, turn left and go a few yards to the parking area on the right.  Follow the Loop Trail 0.9 mile to connect with Rogers Trail.

Woody Mountain Road is washboard-rough but passable by sedan.

Rogers Trail links Ft. Tuthill Park with the Natural Area

ALTERNATE MIDWAY ACCESS POINTS:

There’s a 0.3-mile spur path directly across from the entrance to Flagstaff Arboretum (3.7 miles south of Route 66 on Woody Mountain Road) and parking aprons where the trail crosses FR 390A and FR 9026 south of Woody Mountain Road.

WEST ACCESS at ROGERS LAKE:

Go 7.8 miles south on Woody Mountain Road to the Gold Digger trailhead.

The Two Spot trailhead is located another mile down the road.

INFO:

http://coconino.az.gov/282/Trails

TRAIL MAP:

https://www.flagstaff.az.gov/DocumentCenter/View/51768/Rogers-Trail?bidId=

WOODY MOUNTAIN

WOODY MOUNTAIN

Coconino National Forest

View of Rogers Lake

In the blockbuster theater of Flagstaff-area peaks, Woody Mountain plays more of a supporting role. Rising to just over 8,000 feet, the pine-covered cinder cone volcano stands above the wetlands of Rogers Lake not as soaring crests like nearby Bill Williams Mountain and the San Francisco Peaks, but as a low-profile mound.  In terms of mountain-conquering hiking experiences, this one makes for a satisfying starter trail that gets you to a beautiful high point without having to invest a lot of sweat or route-finding.

Roadside stock tank just outside of the natural area boundary

Located partially within the Rogers Lake County Natural Area south of Flagstaff, the service road that goes to the summit serves as the trail. The road can also be accessed by way of the Gold Digger Trail which you can pick up at a trailhead a half-mile beyond the start point. But, if your eyes are solely on the summit prize, beginning at the road gate is the most direct route.  At the parking area, the grassy swale that is Rogers Lake sits among pine bluffs, ranches and acres of summer wildflowers.  Local cows graze and laze in the lake’s mucky flats and if you’re lucky, you’ll also see the elk, deer, raptors and coyotes that come to drink from the lake’s residual pools. The first mile of the road hike is a moderate but continual climb through a sunny pine-oak forest. It’s an unremarkable hike unless you turn around occasionally to take in ever changing views of the lake and mountain peaks emerging over coniferous woodlands. At the 1.3 -mile point, the road passes a gate and leaves the natural area.  Here, a reedy stock tank fosters aquatic buttercups and clouds of butterflies. The double-humped mound to the left is your destination---look closely and you’ll see the top of the fire tower poking out from among tall pines. From the tank, the road begins its northward swing around the mountain and the mood moves from bucolic to deep-woods. The forest thickens as the road ascends barber-pole-style presenting a visual carousel of Flagstaff landmarks, the mountains of Williams and the pasture lands around the lake.  Near the 2-mile point, the historic Woody Mountain fire tower comes into view.  

A Red-tailed hawk glides above the road

The original tower was a simple tree stand that was used from 1910 to 1921. In 1922, the bare bones perch was upgraded to a wood tower which remained in service until 1936 when it was replaced with the posh-by-comparison steel and glass cabin that’s still in use today. The tower is on the National Register of Historic Sites. It rises 46 feet above ground, supporting a 7’ x 7’ cabin.

Historic Woody Mountain Lookout

Lookouts are sometimes stationed in the tower during fire season. When a lookout is on active duty, you should never enter a tower unless  invited and you must comply with all their instructions.  

Trailhead gate at Rogers Lake

Unless cordoned off or signed to stay out, it’s okay to climb the tower ladder at your own risk to get an aerial view of the lake that rolls out in concentric rings with puddles in the middle and marshes fading from a bright emerald core to a golden-brown fringe as summer sucks up snow-melt moisture.

Service road to the summit of Woody Mountain

When done taking in the historic sites and natural wonders, descend the way you came or, if you’re up for more miles, pick up one or both of the county natural area trails. The 4-mile, moderate-rated Gold Digger trail wanders the foothills below the peak while the easy, 2-mile Two-Spot trail stays low for optimum wildlife viewing.

Western Yarrow blooms June - September

LENGTH: 4.2 miles round trip

RATING: moderate

ELEVATION:  7060’ – 8045’

GETTING THERE:

From Flagstaff, go 1.9 miles west on Route 66 to Woody Mountain Road (Forest Road 231), turn left and continue 6.4 miles to the gate on the left located just past the Rogers Lake sign.

Park along the road.

The summit road may also be accessed from the Gold Digger Trail and Two-Spot trailheads located 0.6 and 1 mile farther down FR231.

INFO & MAP:

http://www.coconino.az.gov/689/Rogers-Lake-County-Natural-Area

GOLD DIGGER TRAIL

GOLD DIGGER TRAIL

Rogers Lake County Natural Area

View of Rogers Lake from the Gold Digger Trail

Located 10 miles south of Flagstaff, Rogers Lake County Natural Area is a 2,250-acre, high-elevation wetland within the Colorado Plateau Region. Since its acquisition in 2010 by Coconino County, the site is being managed for the protection of wildlife habitat, preservation of rare native plants, environmental education and scientific research while allowing for low-impact, non-motorized recreation. Two trails for hiking, mountain biking and equestrian use are in the final stages of construction.

The Gold Digger Trail is a 4-mile, single track path that makes a rocky climb on the foothills around Woody Ridge Wildlife Corridor. Although the trail itself is complete and open to the public, the trailhead, map kiosk, bike rack and metal route markers will be finished up this fall. The 2-Spot Trail, which makes a 2-mile loop near the edge of the ephemeral wetlands will be anchored by a wildlife viewing platform when completed later this year. As sustainability is a core objective for the site, recycled engineer mix and asphalt from ADOT and Flagstaff construction projects are being used to build the trails and parking areas. Another example of this goal appears halfway up the Gold Digger trail in the form of a shade ramada and picnic table made of repurposed timber and a roof that harvests rainwater for birds. Major junction trail markers are already in place, but the balance will not be installed until later this year, so, trekkers must pay attention to stay on track. Although the route is obvious to the experienced hiker's eye, there are a few of things to keep in mind. First, the trail is 100% single track. Where the route meets forest roads, it crosses them---you are never hiking on roads. Next, where wildflowers grow into the path, stop and scope out the trail ahead---you'll see it. And finally, at the ramada, the trail picks up south of the structure, to the left of the road.

While hiking here, you'll enjoy cool pine-oak woodlands with magnificent views and ample opportunity to view wildlife. Please be respectful of this sensitive terrain. Travel quietly, leave no trace and obey all posted regulations.

LENGTH: 5.1-mile loop

RATING: moderate

ELEVATION: 6,878' - 7,650'

DOGS: must be on leash

HOURS: day-use only, no camping

GETTING THERE:

From Flagstaff, go 1.9 miles west on Route 66 to Woody Mountain Road (Forest Road 231), turn left and continue 6.5 miles south to the big Rogers Lake Country Natural Area sign. Continue 1.3 miles past the sign to the trailhead. Parking lot is on the right (west) side of the road and the trail begins at the green gate on the left (east) side (N 35 08.220 W 111 47.239). From the trailhead, hike roughly 50 yards to where 3 metal posts mark the loop junction. Go right for Gold Digger. At the 4-mile point, go left at a post to complete the hike on the east leg of the 2-Spot Loop Trail.

An additional trailhead located at 0.4-mile past the Rogers Lake sign will provide access to the 2-Spot Trail.

Woody Mountain Road is washboard-rough but passable by sedan.

INFO & RULES: Coconino County Parks and Recreation

http://www.coconino.az.gov/index.aspx?NID=689

MORE PHOTOS:

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