Mount Trumbull Loop - Clay Hole Section

Located in northern Arizona, within an area known as the Arizona Strip, the Mount Trumbull Scenic Loop is a picturesque drive through the Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument that takes drivers through nearly every aspect of terrain the monument offers. Cutting through the desert, shrubland, and montane habitats, drivers are rewarded with picturesque views of deep canyons, vast valleys, lonely buttes, and 8,000-foot mountains.

Clayhole is the eastern section of the CR 5, Mount Trumbull Loop, and connects Colorado City to Tuweep. This is a primary access road for those visiting the Toroweap Overlook. The road winds through Clayhole Valley, traversing a scenic volcanic field and the dramatic Hat Knoll cinder cone. The road surface is generally very easy, with hardpacked clay mixed with sections of gravel and small protruding rocks. However, the clay quickly turns to a peanut butter consistency after any rain, making the road totally impassable and very dangerous until it dries. Users should always check recent and future weather forecasts before traveling on this road. In dry conditions, this is a 2WD road that is suitable for any vehicle with good ground clearance and rugged tires, such as all-terrain tires.