Bushnell Tanks Road

BUSHNELL TANKS ROAD

First crossing of Sycamore Creek is sort of tricky

Sometimes, surprisingly fine escapes can be found just steps from busy byways in right-under-your-nose places.  Bushnell Tanks Road, located off the Beeline Highway roughly halfway between Mesa and Payson is one such find.

Rustic corral site is a highlight of the hike

 

Much of the road parallels part of the course of the Pine Mountain Passage 21 of the Arizona National Scenic Trail using backroads above and through the corridor of Sycamore Creek and Colcord Canyon.

Sprawling grasslands dominate the high ridges

  It’s a rugged, undulating road hike in Tonto National Forest that’s packed with creek side sycamores, a rustic corral, stunning desert vegetation and huge mountain vistas. 

Buffalo gourds dangle from a mesquite tree

The moderate hike is also a great who-knew way to view breath-taking late autumn foliage. 

The rocky second crossing of Sycamore Creek

The hike plan is simple, although roads and junctions are not signed, so paying attention to landmarks is key to staying on track. 

A mix of riparian and desert trees shade the hike

From the trailhead, hike down the main gravel road which is Bushnell Tanks Road, Forest Road 22.  At the 0.3-mile point, the road meets the turn off for the Arizona Trail connector. 

Devil's Claw blooms through October

Stay on the main road as it descends to the first of three gorgeous crossings of Sycamore Creek.  The first crossing is a little sketchy. 

Mount Ord stands out over rangelands

The road goes straight across the braided and bent waterway, but getting through requires some creative rock hopping over the flow which varies in depth and speed with the seasons. 

An old corral complex in Ram Valley

The creek crossing is shaded with enormous sycamores and a few cottonwood, willow and alder trees that show off in shades of yellow and russet browns from late October through December. 

Hikers follow an unsigned road in Tonto NF

Once over the water, the road shimmies through a mixed bag of live oak patches and golden pastures bolstered with views of Mazatzal mountain peaks including Mount Ord, Crabtree Butte and Cypress Peak.  The road continues through a continually-changing landscape bright with wildflowers and native food plants.

Hikers approach the third crossing of Sycamore Creek

Lots of ups-and-downs and two more leafy creek hops land hikers at an unsigned road junction on the right at the 2-mile point near a rusty corral complex. 

The hike has lots of ups-and-downs

The corral makes for an interesting exploratory side trip.  Encroached with weeds, tangles of buffalo gourds and bits of frayed ropes, the maze of metal fencing, feed troughs and a newish-looking water tank sit at the core of scenic Ram Valley.  When done investigating the corral, backtrack to the road junction and follow the steep, rutted path up a catclaw-riddled ridge. Long pants, folks.

Hike gives an alternative look at AZ fall foliage

 

Concrete tank marks the hike turnaround point

The unforgiving haul unpacks spectacular views with every foot of elevation gained.  Peaks and buttes circle an environment of sprawling rangeland, deep valleys and tree-lined creek channels. 

Hikers on one of the hike's high ridges

At the top of the first rise, the road begins a relentless series of ascents and descents through open grasslands.  At the 3.9-mile point, on a bald high-point, a concrete stock tank off to the right sits among a ring of mesquite trees and low-growing cacti.  This makes for a good turn around point. 

Sycamore seed pods

For a longer trip, consult the Tonto National Forest map to scope out other routes that wind through the hills and connect with the Arizona Trail.

Extend the hike on AZT or other forest roads

Better yet, check out the Arizona Trail website (aztrail.org) for more ways to experience this beautiful slice of Central Arizona. 

FR22 traces the course of Sycamore Creek

Arizona Trail association members also get special access to maps, data and privy to dozens of loop hike options using the 800+-mile, state-traversing trail.

Desert hackberry shrubs clutter in a wash

LENGTH: 7.9 miles roundtrip

RATING: moderate

ELEVATION: 3,320 – 3,817 feet (1,720 feet of accumulated elevation change)

GETTING THERE:

From Loop 202 in Mesa, take the State Route 87 (Beeline Highway/ Country Club Road) exit 13.  Go 41 miles north on SR 87 to the turn off for Bushnell Tanks near the community of Sunflower.  Park in the gravel lot near an “area closed” sign and a large Arizona Trail kiosk.  The area is open to non-motorized use.

INFO:
https://aztrail.org/explore/passages/passage-21-pine-mountain/

SUNFLOWER TRAIL #344 from CROSS F RANCH

SUNFLOWER TRAIL #344 from CROSS F RANCH Tonto National Forest, Mazatzal Wilderness
UPDATE 2-18-17: Hiker Randy Cockrell of Payson reports that new signage has been installed, making it much easier to navigate.

Forget about depending on the “trail signs” mentioned in popular hiking books when negotiating this route. They’re mostly gone, so you’ll be relying on massive cairns and Arizona Trail (AZT) markers to find your way. The first trick is to find the beginning of trail #344, which has been incorporated into the AZT---it’s directly across the road from the parking area, is unsigned and heads up the embankment. You’ll know when you’ve found it because after a few yards, the path becomes obvious. Almost immediately, you’ll come to the first of many cattle gates on this route, pass it and continue on the main trail (cairns---watch for the cairns). The first mile of this hike hugs Sycamore Creek. There’s usually water in cooler months and gorgeous stands of cottonwood, juniper, cypress, oak and, of course, sycamore trees shade the way. At least a dozen creek crossings are required, varying in difficulty from dry to tricky rock hops over flowing water. Several springs and a large stock pond attract domesticated cattle, horses and the local wildlife alike. After a few miles, the trail emerges on sunny, yucca-studded pasturelands with sweeping wilderness views. Trail #334 continues south to Bushnell Tanks trailhead---see prior entry for details. LENGTH: 12 miles roundtrip RATING: moderate ELEVATION: 3,600 -4,700 feet BEST SEASONS: October - April GETTING THERE: CROSS F RANCH (NORTH) TRAILHEAD: From Fountain Hills, go north on Hwy87, 36 miles to the Sycamore Creek Road (old Hwy 87) at milepost 222.5. Follow paved Sycamore Creek Rd. 3.4 miles to the large AZ Trail sign in a grove of sycamores on the left. Park here. The trail begins directly across the road where only a decaying railroad tie marks the faint path heading uphill. Once you find the access point, the trail becomes more distinct. INFO: http://www.aztrail.org/passages/pass_22.html

SUNFLOWER TRAIL #344 from BUSHNELL TANKS

SUNFLOWER TRAIL #344 from BUSHNELL TANKS Tonto National Forest, Mazatzal Wilderness


 Unbeknownst except to those who have traveled its central segments, state-traversing Arizona Trail (AZT) passes beneath Highway 87 just south of milepost 218 where the infamous “Pete’s Topless” billboard hawks a bar in Payson. The billboard has been painted over, but a towing business and a smattering of ranches dotting the hillsides still flourish in the area known as Sunflower. Its through this strip of remoteness that the Saddle Mountain, Passage 22 of the AZT connects Sunflower with Mt. Peeley. Sunflower Trail #344 has been incorporated into the AZT making up 12 miles of its 16-mile route. Two trailheads provide access to trail #344. This description begins at the trailhead near Bushnell Tanks. Route finding can be a challenge in the first quarter-mile, after that though, it’s easy. HIKE DIRECTIONS: from the parking area, hike down the dirt road 0.25 mile to a hiker sign located across from a wash just before a cattle guard. Veer right (west) into the wash and follow it through a beautiful grove of sycamore trees to the far SW corner. From here, you’ll see a barbed wire fence across the creek with a yellow forest service sign and an old red wheel tied to the fence. The towing company/ranch facility will also be visible to the south. Cross the creek here and then head uphill (veer left going toward the ranch) following the fence line. Look for cairns along this narrow path. Within a few minutes, you should be able to spot a large AZT sign and gate up on the rise. Pass the gate and follow cairns through a quagmire of catsclaw and shrub and before long a concrete tunnel constructed just for AZT hikers will be visible. Hike through the tunnel and then pick up the AZT sign post heading right and uphill. From this point frequent carins and AZT signs clearly mark the route through high desert ranch country halfway between Fountain Hills and nowhere. LENGTH: 12 miles 5oundtrip RATING: moderate ELEVATION: 3,600 – 4,700 feet BEST SEASONS: October - April GETTING THERE: BUSHNELL TANKS (SOUTH) TRAILHEAD: From Fountain Hills, go 32 miles north on State Route 87  to Bushnell Tanks Road (Forest Road 22) past milepost 218. Turn right onto FR 22 and go 0.1 mile to the road closed gate. Park here. INFO: http://www.aztrail.org/passages/pass_22.html   NOTE: this are was damaged by the May 2012 Sunflower Fire. Check status before hiking here: http://www.aztrail.org/Sunflower_Closure_Map.pdf
BUSHNELL TANKS CLOSURE NOTICE, TONTO NF http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fsbdev3_018499.pdf