Coconino National Forest Trail Guide - Chavez Trail

Length:18.2 miles (round trip)

Use: light

Season: Late fall through early spring

Hiking time: 12 hours (round trip)

Cumulative Elevation: 1600 ft.

USGS Maps: Munds Mountain, Sedona

Location: 42 miles south of Flagstaff

(11.5 miles east of Sedona) in scenic

Red Rock Country.

Notes: Although suitable for hiking, it

is best used as an equestrian trail be-

cause of its length.

For more information contact: Red

Rock Ranger District, P.O. Box 20429,

Sedona AZ 86341, (928) 203-2900 .

The Chavez Trail is a portion of the his-

toric Chavez/Palatkwapi Trail, connect-

ing the Verde Valley with Winslow, AZ.

The Oregon-California Trails Associa-

tion, classifies it as a "Pristine Original

Trail, unaltered with clear physical evidence," which is rare in the West.

Chavez Trail is a great workout if you are interested in walking an historic Arizona trail. This trail ascends, steeply at first, from the Dry Beaver Creek drainage to flatten out more approaching

the Mogollon Rim. The eastern end of the trial is near the intersection of I-17 and Stoneman Lake Road (exit 306). In the flatter section, the trail may become a bit difficult to track, continue

looking for trail markers and you will find your way. Your reward will be sweeping views of the red rocks to the north and the Dry Beaver drainage and Verde Valley to the west.

In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln signed legislation separating Arizona Territory from New Mexico Territory. The new territorial governor had to be safely escorted from Santa Fe to the

proposed capital near what is now Prescott, Arizona. Lt. Col. J. Francisco Chaves was selected to lead the expedition. In its years as a stage route it was characterized by a traveler in 1875

as part of “…the roughest road in the United states…” Lydia English journaled on her trip from Kansas to Arizona. She left Sunset Crossing (Winslow), AZ on November 23 arriving in what

is now Camp Verde on December 1st.

Access: Chavez Trailhead From the Junction of US 89A and 179 in Sedona, head south on 179 and drive about 11 miles to the trailhead on the south side of the Dry Beaver Creek Bridge

on SR179 between mile post 302 and 303. Pull in a dirt road to the east marked at the gate as FR9204S park outside the gate and proceed through the gate to pick up the trail. .

Revised MAR 2016

Chavez Trail

Red Rock Ranger

Station

Wet Beaver Creek

Wilderness

Woods Canyon

Trailhead

Chavez Trailhead