Trail Overview
The Canyon Ruins Tour trail is a 14-mile one-lane dirt and rock trail that tours the hidden canyons and rocky hills nestled in the prairie lands of this area of Northern Arizona. Sections of this trial demonstrate erosion and water damage that so commonly shapes the landscape in this area. Up on the grassland plateau, the views are amazing in all directions. When you get into the canyon adjacent to Cedar Wash, you'll cross the wash many times, with some of the entrances and exits being steeper and more off-camber than others. The ruins are set back in the canyon, and a short walk from your rig will have you observing a different way of life. There are volcanic features along this trail, with scree fields of black rocks blanketing the hills as you roll by. There is no service along this route, so offline maps are recommended, but there are also no major obstacles along this trail. This is a one-lane trail, so please do stay on established paths and remember to TREAD LIGHTLY. Along this trail, you might see elk, antelope, deer, coyote, prairie dog towns, and various bird species. Enjoy the trip, I sure did!
Difficulty
This is an unmaintained trail with erosion and water damage with wash crossings. Some of the wash crossings have steeper entrances and exits with off-camber sections that might become challenging, especially after a rain event.
