Arizona's White
Mountains
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Elevation: 8,900' to 9,300'
Length: 5.5
miles |
Season: May through October |
Rating: Easy to Moderate
Use: Moderate |
Attractions:
Pleasantly
cool temperatures and some of the finest alpine scenery in the southwest are
main attractions for this easy ride over a varied terrain. Tall trees and
mountain meadows colored with wildflowers set the backdrop while a nearby
rustic cabin resort adds a touch of history to the atmosphere. This is an
especially scenic ride during the fall when the high proportion of aspens in
Hannagan area forests decorate the area with the golden hues of their changing
leaves. At just about any time of the year you'll have a good chance of seeing
some of the area's resident wildlife which includes wild turkey, Aberts
squirrels, and hatrack antlered elk. Black bear are also regularly sighted
here.
This ride is conveniently accessible from both
Hannagan Meadow
Lodge and Hannagan Campground and is quite a bit popular with visitors to
both of those places. The route does follow a power line for part of the ride
but the majority of the loop is along primitive two-track and little traveled
dirt and graveled forest roads.
A longer 17 mile loop is possible in this same area by
incorporating sections of FR's 24 and 25 into the ride. This loop takes you
through more of the same type of scenic forests and meadows described above
although the roads are a bit more heavily traveled. It also requires 5 miles of
riding along US Highway 191 (formerly US 666) to return to the trailhead.
Access:
From Alpine drive
23 miles south on Highway 191 (formerly US 666) to FR 576 (a quarter mile
before Hannagan Meadow Lodge). The ride begins here and in a short distance
turns right along a power line. From
Hannagan Lodge ride
north on Highway 191 to FR 576 to begin the ride.
Ride Log:
From the
trailhead at the intersection of FR 576 and US 191 follow FR 576 for 100 yards
to the powerline right of way. Follow the power line road (indicated by the
blue diamond marker) 1 mile to a marked junction with a two track road which
bears to the left. Follow this primitive road approximately 1.5 miles to
another marked junction. Turn right on the well traveled dirt road for two
miles to a corral then turn right to a marked junction once again at a power
line. Follow the power line road back to Hannagan Lodge which is a quarter mile
south of the trailhead.
For the longer loop, continue on FR 576 past the powerline for 3.5
miles to FR 24. (This route is not marked.) Turn left and FR 24 and ride 7
miles to FR 25. Turn left on FR 25 and follow it 0.75 miles to US Highway 191.
Ride north on the highway 5 miles back to Hannagan Lodge.
Notes:
All road junctions
are marked with blue diamond markers
Please contact the Alpine Ranger District for current information
of trail conditions: P.O. Box 469, Alpine, AZ 85920, (928) 339-4384.
For more information, please feel free to contact
the USDA Forest Service, Alpine Ranger District at 928.339.4384 or you may
write us at P.O. Box 469 Alpine, Arizona 85920
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