Buffalo Crossing

Buffalo Crossing is named for where the trail crosses the East Fork of the Black River. The northern section of the trail is well-graded and easy to drive as it passes through a mature pine forest and meadows interspersed with areas burned by the Wallow Fire of 2011. South of the intersection with Beaver Creek, FR 26, the trail reverts to a less maintained status with embedded rocks and steep, narrow shelf roads, earning this section a moderate rating. The trail's southern half passes through an area devastated by the Wallow Fire, Arizona's largest recorded wildfire. The fire has opened amazing views, however. Several large dispersed campsites are on the northern end of the trail once outside the Big Lake Recreation Area. The Buffalo Crossing Campground has approximately a dozen campsites along the East Fork. The campground has picnic tables, fire pits, water, and a vault toilet. It is popular with fishermen. The Sprucedale Guest Ranch, located about halfway through the trail, offers the quintessential dude ranch experience with lodging and meals. Expect to see their horses grazing trailside.