APACHE MAID MOUNTAIN
Coconino National Forest
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| Summit of Apache Maid Mountain: 7307' |
Just east of
I-17, 30 miles south of Flagstaff, the isolated silhouette of Apache
Maid Mountain juts above a muted
emerald expanse of juniper-dotted grasslands. Because of its unchallenged dominance on the landscape, a
climb up this peak rewards with breath taking vistas of Sedona's red rocks, the
mountains of Prescott and the canyon-riddled watershed highlands of Wet Beaver Creek and the Verde River.
Although this peak also can be conquered via a 17-mile one-way (3864' - 7307')
hike on the Apache Maid Trail that begins on the Bell Trail at Wet Beaver
Creek, the way is difficult, dry and best suited for highly experienced
hikers. However, if getting to the
high point is your main objective, then scratch the tortuous miles and instead tackle the massif from its
base. The trail is FR 620, a
wide red-soil track hacked out of the mountainside. Twisting up the south and west faces of the hill in long, gradual
hairpin coils the road makes for a pleasant, not-too-tough climb through a
mishmash of Ponderosa pines, oak and scrub while a frenzy of wildflowers splatters color on disturbed road
shoulders and sun washed meadows.
About a half-mile from the top, a jumbled boulder ledge frames
exceptional views of Red Rock Country as an abrupt break at the edge of a
spralling windswept prairie. On the summit, a fire lookout built in 1961 teeters over its watershed ward.
The tower is open by
invitation only when a worker is present, otherwise, visitors may relax at the
picnic table tucked into a shady glen of oak trees.
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| Apache Maid Lookout |
LENGTH: 9.2 miles roundtrip (shorter options described
below)
RATING: moderate
ELEVATION: 6063' - 7307'
FACILITIES: restroom, picnic table and hitching post on the
summit. Nearby camping.
GETTING THERE:
From Phoenix travel north on I17 to exit 306 for Stoneman
Lake. Turn right and go 6.4 miles
on Stoneman Lake Road (FR 213) to
the signed intersection for FR229.
Follow FR229 (heading toward Apache Maid LO) 4.5 miles and bear right at
a "T" intersection with FR230 to stay on FR229. Continue 0.4 mile to
a curve in the road where FR 229 swerves left and FR 620 bends to the right.
Here, there's a green gate marking the entrance to Apache Maid Cabin. Park in
the turnoffs along the road. From
here it's a 4.6-mile one-way hike to the summit. Alternatively, you can
continue driving up FR620 to a parking apron at a gate that's 1.8 mile from the summit. We also noted
good parking opportunities near FR 2938J which is 3.4 miles from the summit and
also cuts about 200 feet of climbing.
ROAD CONDITIONS: FR 213 is paved for a while then turns to
good dirt suitable for all vehicles. FR 229 and beyond is a mix of smooth dirt
and deeply rutted, washboard.
Although we saw sedans parked along the way, a high-clearance vehicle is
a much better idea.
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| oak trees along the trail |
INFO: Coconino National Forest
Rent Apache Maid Cabin:
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