Flagstaff, Part 6 - October 4 thru 26, 2023

 Between Flagstaff and Grand Canyon lies a vast grassland that has long been undeveloped.  While some communities are starting to appear in this area, it is still largely wilderness.  Called Hart Prairie, this region has a network of unpaved roads that meander in all directions with little or no signage.  I read that the main road, Hart Prairie Road, dates back to the 19th century when it was the stage road from Flagstaff to Grand Canyon, a trip of twelve hours.  Now it is a hiking/mountain biking trail and the only access to the few private properties left in what is primarily U.S. Forest Service land.  I also learned that the trails are used by hunters on ATVs, which might explain why I saw no elk in my travels there.

The prairie is dotted with extinct volcanoes, ponderosa pine forests and large stands of aspen trees.  During October, with the leaves turning orange, gold and yellow, the area draws many people the locals call "peepers" or "leafers".  I entered from the west side, stayed on the main trail for some distance, then explored a side road without knowing where it went, and eventually came out on the east side highway, not all that far from my RV park.  It was 30 miles of sometimes rough, rocky road, but exhilarating beauty.

Throughout my journey, I passed driveways signed "Private Property" where no house was visible through the woods.  Later, a few homes could be seen, usually in a lovely setting deep in the forest.  Prescribed burns were still going on, so there was some smoke in the air, but not enough to be an issue.  There were many good views of the San Francisco Peaks, as well as some smaller volcanoes.