Rail-Trails West: California, Arizona, and Nevada

By Rails-to-Trails Conservancy

In this edition in the popular series, the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy presents the best of the West. With 70 rural, suburban, and urban trails threading through 1,050 miles, Rail-Trails West covers 60 trails in California, eight in Arizona, and two in Nevada. Many rail-trails offer escapes from city life, like the Mount Lowe Railway Trail, high above the buzzing Los Angeles basin on a rail line vacationers once took to a mountaintop resort. Others offer the pure sensory thrill of sweeping terrain, like Arizona's 7-mile Prescott Peavine Trail. Still more juxtapose the natural world with the railroad's industrial past, like Nevada's Historic Railroad Hiking Trail, which passes through five massive tunnels to reach Hoover Dam. Every trip has a detailed map, directions to the trailhead, and information about parking, restroom facilities, and other amenities. Many of the level rail-trails are suitable for walking, jogging, bicycling, inline skating, wheelchairs, and horses.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Wilderness Press
• Release date: Jun 2, 2009
• ISBN: 9780899977096

Book preview

Arizona

ARIZONA

Colorado River Trail

Location

Yuma County

Endpoints

North San Francisco Street and Route 66 to North Fanning Drive and Route 66

Mileage

1.5

Roughness Index

1

Surface

Asphalt

The Colorado River Trail melds past with present—an early 1900s railroad hub turned rail-trail enjoyed by the whole community.

Experience the historic desert Southwest by visiting the Colorado River Trail in Yuma, Ariz. This pleasant trail along the banks of the Colorado River provides scenic vistas reminiscent of old western films. Located in the southwestern corner of Arizona, on the Mexico border, Yuma has one of the warmest climates in the country, making this trail perfect for a winter getaway.

Yuma was a central transportation hub in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Particularly because the railroad bridge crossed the Colorado River at its easiest point, Yuma became a major stop on the route to California. Yuma was also home to one of the most infamous correctional facilities of the Old West, the Yuma Territorial Prison. The town is a wonderful place to explore western heritage, and the Colorado River Trail is a great place to start.

The trail skirts the edge of town on the abandoned Yuma Valley Railroad corridor near the banks of the Colorado River. Begin at the Yuma Territorial Prison State Historical Park near the Fourth Avenue Bridge. Along the river, the park features picnic tables, restrooms and a riverfront beach. From here the trail heads west along the unused tracks.

This 1.5-mile paved trail is an enjoyably smooth journey. The trail is also commonly refered to as the Yuma Crossing Bike Path. About halfway along the trail, you will see a connection to the East Main Canal Bike Path on your left that takes you along the Main Canal to the southern end of town.

As you travel along the path you are treated to breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. And, even though this is a desert region, the Colorado River feeds farms in the valley. The trail ends at Joe Henry Memorial Park, a grassy park equipped with restrooms, picnic areas and ball fields.

DIRECTIONS

To reach the eastern trailhead, take the Winterhaven Drive/4th Avenue exit from Interstate 8 and turn south (right or left, depending on the direction you came from). After a half mile take a left onto 1st Street. Go 0.3 mile and take a left onto North Madison Avenue. Go one block, then take a right onto North Gila Street. The trailhead is on the left just a few hundred feet ahead.

To reach the western trailhead, take the Winterhaven Drive/4th Avenue exit from I-8 and turn south (right or left, depending on the direction you came from). After a half mile take a right onto 1st Street. Go 1.3 miles and turn right onto North 22nd Avenue. Go one block and take a left onto Colorado Street. The trailhead is on the right in Joe Henry Memorial Park, which has baseball fields.

Contact: City of Yuma Parks and Recreation

One City Plaza

P.O. Box 13012

Yuma, AZ 85366

[phone]

www.ci.yuma.az.us/1357.htm

ARIZONA

Fort Tuthill Trail

Location

Coconino County

Endpoints

Fort Tuthill to University Heights

Mileage

3

Roughness Index

1

Surface

Crushed stone

The Fort Tuthill Trail is part of the Flagstaff Urban Trail System, a popular trail network running throughout the region.

Internationally renowned for outdoor recreation activities and as the launching point for visits to Grand Canyon National Park, Flagstaff also boasts one of the best community trail systems (known as the Flagstaff Urban Trails System) in the state. The Fort Tuthill Trail is an integral part of the system. One of many beautiful recreational trails in the area, this crushed stone rail-trail doubles as a commuter route for people who live on the south side of Flagstaff.

The quintessential western mountain town, Flagstaff offers a wide variety of activities, including hiking, skiing, camping, rock climbing and rafting. It is also home to the University of Northern Arizona and blends a youthful vibe with the spirit of the Old West.

The trail begins about 3 miles south of town at Ft. Tuthill County Park, a large park and campground and site of the Coconino County Fairgrounds. From here, the trail flows north through a high pinyon pine forest. The magnificent, snowcapped Humphreys Peak—at 12,633 feet Arizona’s highest peak—looms in the distance.

After the first mile the setting changes from forest to a quiet residential area. Many locals hop on the trail here to commute downtown. Once past the neighborhood the corridor becomes wild again. After passing through the neighborhood, you reach Beulah Boulevard. The trail follows this busy road as it crosses underneath Interstate 40. When it reaches a bike and pedestrian bridge just beyond the interstate, the trail leaves the road and crosses a small creek.

Once you cross the creek you enter a busy commercial area called University Heights. A large shopping center that you will see on the left includes a number of restaurants and shops. The trail officially ends at the intersection of South Beulah Boulevard and West McConnell Drive. To continue to downtown Flagstaff, follow a connecting trail that leads off to the right and is part of the Flagstaff Urban Trails System.

DIRECTIONS

To reach the southern trailhead, take the Fairgrounds Road exit from Interstate 17 and go west (right or left, depending on the direction you came from). Take an immediate right onto Highway 89A. After just under 0.2 mile turn left into Ft. Tuthill County Park, and park in the lot. The trailhead is in the wooded area near the