Tuscumbia Trail #215 - Prescott, AZ

eatstayplay.com - Arizona - Tuscumbia Trail #215

Tuscumbia Trail #215

GPS Coordinates: Unknown

What is a geocache? Click here to find about geocaching


	Courtesy of EatStayPlay.com

Tuscumbia Trail #215 stays almost entirely in chaparral vegetation and is not one of the most popular hiking trails. It does, however, allow the hiker or rider to plan a somewhat shorter hike in conjunction with Bradshaw Trail #216. Starting at the Bradshaw Trail #216 trailhead on Towers Mountain, the trip could be planned to terminate on Forest Road 52 by way of a portion of Tuscumbia Trail #215. This trail, which begins from the Senator Highway, traverses the county just south of the Battle Flat area.

The middle portion of this trail along the upper portion of Tuscumbia Creek is probably the most scenic. The trail, however, can only be recommended for hiking. It is in very poor condition. The upper portion of the trail nearest Forest Road 52 is in the worst shape due to its dry, rocky, and badly eroded condition, and only high clearance vehicles should be used here. It is overgrown with brush in many places.

The trail starts at Forest Road 52 near Barrel Springs. It then climbs east through a saddle and descends a drainage to where it intersects the Bradshaw Trail #216. The trail continues east following Tuscumbia Creek over fairly level terrain to where Tuscumbia Creek joins Battle Creek. There is a good campsite at the point where the creeks intersect. From here to where the trail eventually joins the Bull Road Trail #202, the trail is in terrible shape and may be extremely difficult to follow.

The trail remains in the creek bed for about 0.5 miles and then follows an old 4WD road over a saddle and descends steeply to Bear Creek, joining the Bull Road Trail #202 at the Goat Ranch.

With a length of 5.0 miles and a total elevation change of about 850 feet, this trail may be considered of moderate difficulty.

Facilities: Tuscumbia Trail #215 has no facilities.

Best Time To Visit: Spring and fall are the best times to use Tuscumbia Trail #215.

Fees: This trail is free to use.

Accessibility: This trail has no handicap access.

Rules: Limited to motorized equipment less than 40" wide.

Directions: To reach Tuscumbia Trail #215 from Prescott, the best route is by way of Mayer, particularly in winter. Take Main St. through the town of Mayer continuing east to the junction with Antelope Creek Road. Continue southeast on this road for approximately 9 miles to Cordes. At the road junction in Cordes, take Forest Road 259 to Crown King. Take Forest Road 259A south from Crown King for about 0.5 miles to the junction with Forest Road 52. Take Forest Road 52 west, then north for a total of about 20 miles to the trailhead at Barrel Spring. Going this way, the trip by road will take about 3 hours.

The west trailhead can be reached from Prescott when roads are dry by taking the Senator Highway (Forest Road 52) south from Prescott for about 16 miles to the Forest Service administrative site at Palace Station. The trailhead is then about 10 miles farther south of Palace Station on Forest Road 52 near Barrel Spring. This trip will take about 3.5 hours.

Map: Click here for a map to Tuscumbia Trail #215

Reservations: Reservations are not needed or accepted for Tuscumbia Trail #215.

Attractions Near
Tuscumbia Trail #215

Bradshaw Trail #216
Bull Road Trail #202
Prescott National Forest

Address

Prescott National Forest

344 S. Cortez St.

Prescott, Arizona 86303

Phone
General: (928) 443-8000