Stage Station Loop Trail #119


Area Status: Open

This is a pleasant ride over rolling terrain along a primitive road that winds through ponderosa pine forests, pinyon and juniper stands and open grasslands. The scenery consists of forest and meadows. The wide variety of habitats along the route supports a diverse community of wildlife such as elk, mule deer, coyotes and goshawks. Wildflowers are plentiful in the spring and summer in the meadows along the road.

The remains of an old cabin are visible on the right side of the road about half way through the ride. A few of the timbers remain from this turn-of-the-century structure that marked a water and rest stop along an old stage route between Williams and Prescott. Here, you might imagine that weary travelers stopped for a change of horses and rest.

The Stage Station Loop has its ups and downs but they’re all of moderate length and gradient. The ups are just long enough to get the heart pumping and the downs are just steep enough to add a little zest to the ride. The road surface is mostly smooth with only a few rocky places to bounce over.

You can ride this loop in either direction, clockwise or counter-clockwise. We recommend that you ride it counter–clockwise. That way, the last 1.2 miles of the ride, along heavily traveled FR 108, is downhill and over in the shortest amount of time possible.

Stage Station Loop Access Map

At a Glance

Water: None. Bring everything you will need.
Restroom: None.

General Information

Directions:

Option 1:  Drive 4 miles west of Williams on I-40 to the Devil Dog Interchange (exit #157). Exit the highway and turn south on FR 108. Follow FR 108 for about 9.2 miles to FR 41 and the Stage Stop Loop Ride. Park your car here and have a good ride. FR 108 is suitable for passenger vehicles.

Option 2:  From Railroad Road and Fourth Street in downtown Williams, go 6.5 miles south on Fourth Street (Fourth Street will turn into Perkinsville Road/County Road 73) to Forest Road 108. Turn right and go 8.3 miles to the east trailhead or 9.5 miles to the “official” west trailhead.


Activities

Mountain Biking

Difficulty Level: Intermediate

Day Hiking

Recreation Areas

Recreation Activities

Location

 
  Area/Length : 
7.9 miles