Casner Mountain Trail, The Road That Has It All!
Located on the boundary between Yavapai and Coconino counties, in the north-central part of the U.S. state of Arizona, Casner Mountain Trail No. 8 is one of the most scenic and rugged trails in Arizona. It’s designated as a motorized trail with very rugged conditions along a narrow ridge with limited opportunity for two-way traffic.
Set high within the Coconino National Forest, the road is totally unpaved. Road conditions are always changing. Winter comes early and stays late on this trail, so you may only be able to safely run it in the middle of the summer. Snow may be present in winter. Special permit is required for vehicles over 62 inches wide. The trail is 6.9 miles (11.5 Km) long. The average gradient is 9%, with some sections up to 31%. The first mile, maybe a little more, is a moderate incline, but then it gets into 9 steep switchbacks which take you directly up the side of the mountain from 4,756 ft (1.449m), cresting at 7,004ft (2.134m) over a distance of just 3 miles.
4x4 vehicle required. A small subcompact car might have difficulties. Special permit is required for vehicles over 62 inches wide. This is definitely not a Sunday drive. The steep drive will take some skill, some patience, and some tolerance for vertigo. Stay alert for potential turnouts as you may meet traffic in inconvenient locations. Originally built to maintain power lines, its many twists, turns and narrows can pose a challenge to even the most experienced drivers. The off-road trail was developed more recently for use by the utility companies to build and maintain high voltage power lines.
The journey offers an exhilarating driving experience, with superb views. An incredible journey, an unforgettable experience offering some of the awesome views of nature you can see anywhere. It offers spectacular views of the Sycamore Canyon Wilderness and Red Rock-Secret Mountain Wilderness and the Verde Valley. This is definitely one road trip that you want to record with lots of photographs. There are lots of viewpoints, official and unofficial. The road is a delight to drive, with every kind of twist and turn. Wildlife is abundant, particularly in the winter months. Watch for elk and deer. An occasional bear and even mountain lion are spotted.
Pic&video: Arizona Adventures