The highest road in Arizona cuts 200 miles in the central part of the state at an elevation of 7,000 feet incredible. Traveling around Sedona to the border of New Mexico, this road goes to the edge of the Mogollon Rim. A rapid descent from the rim to the canyon floor is 2,000 meters in some places.

This amazing geological phenomenon that creates a "spine of Arizona" separates the scorching desert of southern lower bar of higher elevation, temperate ponderosa pine and cedar forests of northern Arizona. The road Mogollon Rim (Mogollon is pronounced "muggy-own") provides a cool, serene perch to see always in southern Arizona's deserts.

Today the road is original sections of the military supply route was built in 1872 by General George Crook. The wagon road connected Fort Whipple in Prescott to Fort Apache and Camp Verde. The military forts established to protect settlers in the early frequent attacks Apache Indian, rebelling against the occupation of their land and relocation of stocks.

General Crook took command of military Arizona Territory 1871. Surprisingly, his original voyage from Fort Apache Fort Whipple formed the basis of the route. During construction, the men of the thief measured distance and the road car with a cloth tied to the wheel of a car. A number of revolutions of the fabric matched a mile. Soldiers then cut a soft patch of trees and nearby rocks and then burned in mileage. Fire in general, with a letter. For example, 13 miles from Fort Verde would be marked with "V13." A few old today trees and rocks still bear the marks original fire thief. Many points of interest along the trail are named according to the mileage of the old route, such as Thirteen Mile Rock and Twentynine Mile Lake.

Approximately 15 miles west end and a short distance north of the main track is the site of General Springs cabin. Louis Fisher wooden structure built in 1914 or 1915, and was used as a monitoring station for many years. The cabin sits next water sources used by General Crook and was recognized as the place from which he escaped death during the surprise attack by an Apache. Camping around the historic cabin is prohibited, but the area makes an excellent place to stop and have lunch.

Faced with the shift to the cabin is the trailhead for hiking the tunnel. Down to see the once ambitious project: a tunnel that was to dig through 3,100 feet of rock Mogollon Rim Flagstaff to connect to the rich mines of Globe by rail. The tunnel was to be a spur of the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad, which ran through Flagstaff Albuquerque en route to the West Coast.

The proposed 160 miles of Mineral Belt Railroad was funded and construction began on a very tough field. Funding for the project dried up soon after the construction of only 40 kilometers of railway and blasting just 70 meters into the rock of the rim. The tunnel is incomplete in General Springs Canyon, a point lower in the rim.

Most of the narrow gravel and dirt road runs through a cool forest of ponderosa pines. Many places along the road run right along the rim with stunning views and angles guns good to see the rough edge itself. Be careful walking on the edge of the rim, especially in wet conditions. Some trees on the edge of the plaques have accidentally fallen.

The road is uneven in some places, but overall the main runway is not a technical challenge. Many small paths more difficult to leave the main road. For roads lead south viewpoints isolated and campsites on the edge, and north, 4WD tracks lead to spectacular views.

The area is a paradise for campers. Backcountry Camping abound, but one of the best is in Hi-View Point, exceptional scenic beauty ignore the duty imposed on the edge. Also developed forest camps Kehl national spring, just off the track at Knoll Lake, Bear Canyon Lake, and several sites of Woods Canyon Lake, among others.

At the eastern end of the runway in Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest runs inside the popular Rim Lakes Recreation Area. Note that motorized travel is allowed on the roads were just, ATVs are not permitted, and no restrictions on camping in this area.

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Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Backcountry Scenic Drives: Mogollon Rim Road

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