Butterfield Pass

Latest post 03-30-2007 9:45 AM by RubiconMike. 5 replies.
  • 03-29-2007 5:32 PM

    Butterfield Pass

    This 12 mile long point A to point B trail is located just east of Gila Bend.  It starts approximately at N32°59.588 / W112°31.368 and ends approximately at N33°0.052 / W112°25.303 (or vice versa depending on which direction you decide to take), and generally follows an arc through the hills. 

    The trail is part of the historic Butterfield Stagecoach Route which ran from St.Louis to San Francisco in the late 1850s and early 1860s. This mountain pass was supposedly an especially dangerous area for ambushes. The trail was blazed earlier by the Mormon Battalion, and there are signs, markers, and information boards about this military mission, the stage route, and as well as the site where a much earlier Spanish expedition crossed. The trail itself is quite easy with just a few lose areas and minor washes to cross, although there are some much more difficult side-bars in the area. The countryside is full of rugged desert scenery with forests of tall saguaros... and with the recent rains, it's sure to explode with wildflowers soon.

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  • 03-29-2007 7:40 PM In reply to

    Re: Butterfield Pass

    This sounds like a fun trail and the history you mention sounds intriguing. Are you from the area? Do you have any pictures?
    Regards,
    Ryan
    Filed under:
  • 03-29-2007 8:49 PM In reply to

    Re: Butterfield Pass

    I live in the west Phoenix area. Buckeye to be exact.

    Yeah I have lot of pictures of many decent trails but they're not on the net. I'm on dial-up right now, but I'll see if I can email you some in the next few days. Oh, after I get back from the Flagstaff region... I'm going to do some exploring in that section of land between Oak Creek Canyon and Sycamore Canyon with my Dadio this weekend Cool 

     

     

  • 03-29-2007 11:07 PM In reply to

    Re: Butterfield Pass

    If you want company please let me know.I need to get out on a trail this weekend.

    Regards,

    Ryan

  • 03-30-2007 9:35 AM In reply to

    Re: Butterfield Pass

    Ryan, I am game too! I have it in my trail guide. Lets go regardless????

  • 03-30-2007 9:45 AM In reply to

    Re: Butterfield Pass

    Let me know before 5:00 today if you can. Thanks!

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