Posts
GOVERNMENT TRAIL GRAND RE-OPENING
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| Alpine Trail Stewards & forest service reps |
For 14 years, the Government Trail #119 languished in the charred scar of the Wallow Fire. The 2011 blaze devastated over a half-million acres of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest in Eastern Arizona. Hundreds of miles of trails were obliterated in the densely forested high-country beloved by outdoor enthusiasts of all stripes.
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| Willows in a wet meadow on Government Trail |
The fire left behind dangerous conditions including toppling dead trees, debris obstacles and flooding that made getting into the area to restore the damage an especially risky and physically demanding endeavor.
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| Burn scar from the Wallow Fire |
But over the past few years, with most of the dead trees down and new growth starting to take hold, the forest is at the point where it’s somewhat manageable and ready for repair work.
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| Stewards cut hundreds of logs on the trail |
Thanks to grassroots volunteer group, the Alpine Trail Stewards, many formerly unhikable paths are being brought back from oblivion.
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| Rocky Mountain iris bloom in the wet meadow |
Working closely with the forest service, the group lead by Debbie and Aaron Fogle of Nutrioso has already identified and cleared miles of trails. The couple are seasoned outdoors people who know a thing or two about the area.
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| This new sign was posted at the trailhead 6-7-25 |
Debbie is a horse trainer by trade who runs two outfitting companies: Women in the Wild and Hike Southwest while Aaron is a big game outfitter. They’re both hell-bent on sharing their love of the White Mountains not only with their businesses, but by giving back to the community through volunteer trail restoration work.
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| Stewards on a mission to the switchbacks |
On Saturday June 7, 2025—National Trails Day—the group celebrated the grand re-opening of the Government Trail. The 3-mile route that climbs the flanks of Escudilla Mountain near Alpine is now clear of deadfall and marked with cairns and bright tape. There’s still some work to do on the upper switchbacks, but after a massive effort, the route is ready for its closeup!
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| New trail signage |
The historic trail that was built for forest service workers to access the old fire tower and cabin on the summit, begins in a wet meadow below the western slopes of the 10,912-foot volcanic mountain. Open to the sun, and fringed with survivor pines, the meadow features stands of willows, clumpy grasses and summer wildflowers that attract wildlife including amphibians, elk, deer, bear and swarms of butterflies. Right from the start, the magnitude of work done by the Alpine Trail Stewards is apparent. The 16 volunteers that worked on the project over the past months cut 832 trees (537 of them using a hand crosscut saw due to wilderness restrictions) and contributed 550 hours in unpaid time brushing, clearing and removing hazards.
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| National Trails Day event 6-7-2025 |
The meadow walk is easy for about a mile up to where the freshly forged single track meets a closed two-track and begins a steady climb to where the trail enters the Escudilla Wilderness Area, taking on a series of switchbacks and seriously steep segments. Compared to the Escudilla National Recreation Trail #308 that ascends the other side of the hill, this one is a bear. Rife with loose rock and stripped of all the trees that had shaded its track before the fire, the switchback sections of the trail plow through rough talus slopes. If it weren’t for the outstanding White Mountains vistas, you might wonder why you tackled this challenging hike.
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| Optional side trip to the fire tower |
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| White Mountains vistas from the upper trail |
The two trails meet in an alpine meadow that evidently took the brunt of the Wallow Fire. For an optional longer trek, hang a left here to continue another mile up to the closed fire tower near the summit. The two trails are not technically looped, but by parking a second vehicle at the Escudilla trailhead, hikers can avoid the slippery downhill by using #308 as the return leg.
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| Rock cairns and tape mark the trail |
LENGTH:
Government Trail only: 6 miles roundtrip
With Escudilla Summit: 8 miles roundtrip
RATING: difficult
ELEVATION:
Government Trail Only: 8,626 – 10,600 feet
With Escudilla Summit: 8,626 - 10,877 feet
GETTING THERE:
From Springerville, go south on U.S. 191/180 for about 20 miles to Forest Road 8056 on the left between mileposts 420 and 421which is signed for Hulsey Lake and Terry Flat. Go 2.6 miles on FR 8056 (past the Husley Lake day use site) and turn left at a Wildlife Habitat Area sign. Follow this road a short way to the signed trailhead on the right. FR 8056 is maintained gravel suitable for most vehicles.
INFO:
Alpine Trail Stewards
