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| Status: | Open |
| Typically Open: | Year Round |
| Difficulty: |
5-6
(MODERATE)
|
| Length: | 6.1 miles |
| Highest Elevation: | 4460 feet |
| Duration: | About 2 hours 30 minutes |
| Shape of Trail: | Straight Through |
| Best Direction to Travel: | South |
| Nearest Town: | Cottonwood |
| Nearest Town w/ Services: | Sedona |
| Official Road Name: | 9513, 152A |
| Management Agency: | Coconino National Forest |
| District: | Red Rock District |
Hidden back in the northwestern part of Verde Valley among the beautiful red rocks and bordered on the north by the Mogollon Rim is a pipeline with a trail running next to it. This isn't just any old trail, this is an exciting - although slow speed - roller coaster ride for four-wheel drive vehicles. While many refer to it as Pipeline Trail because of the adjacent pipes on its east-to-west section, other refer to it by the Diamondback Gulch it runs through; however, it is most commonly known by the Greasy Spoon Tank adjacent to its north-to-south section. You'll find many fun challenges along this trail, from small ledges to large rocks, and small washes to massively deep ones. There are also a few long steep hills with large rocks along the way, and of course, it's all covered in the red dirt and rocks that make the Red Rock District within Coconino National Forest so famous.
Quite rocky or deep ruts. Rocks to 12" and frequent. Water crossings may exceed hub depth with strong currents. Shelves to 6". Mud may require checking before proceeding. Moderate grades to 20 degrees. Sidehill may approach 30 degrees. 4WD necessary and second attempts may be required with stock vehicles. Caution may be required with wider vehicles.
Read more about our rating system| Spring: | The trail may be wet from occasional rain. |
| Summer: | Trail is usually dry and dusy. |
| Fall: | The trail may be muddy from heavy monsoon rains. |
| Winter: | The trail may be be wet, with the possabilty of occational light snow. |
This is the northern trailhead for Greasy Spoon off-road trail.
Stay to the left (east) through this intersection to continue towards the Greasy Spoon Tank.
There's a bunch of small washes through this area, but some still big enough to get stuck in, if you're not paying attention. The washes only get bigger as you travel further south.
To the east of the trail is Greasy Spoon Tank and the remnants of a cattle ranch. The tank isn't easy to see and may be dried up at times.
You can only turn west or north here, depending on which way you are taking the trail. This gate prevents you from entering the fenced off area that was once an old "Jeep Trail" to the east.
As you continue west from here, you'll be entering a section of very deep washes or small canyons. This is the most difficult part of the trail.
This is the largest and deepest wash along the way and is also known as Diamandback Gulch. The hills on both sides are steep and long with moderate steps and large rocks.
This is the top of a long hill you'll have to climb or descend into a very deep canyon.
Continue straight past these old trails that are no longer on the forest service's Motorized Vehicle Usage Map; meaning they are technically closed. Besides, they don't really lead to anything.
There's a series of goodsized washes in this area for you to enjoy. This is also near the west end of the rollercoaster of canyons and washes.
While overnight camping is not allowed along this trail, you can still have a fire in this fire pit. You can also find Jackass Tank just to the north of the trail.
Continue straight through the fence avoiding the cattle guard. Here you'll find some more old trails that lead to nothing too interesting.
This is the southern trailhead for Greasy Spoon.
Trailhead Coordinates: 34.886043, -111.893244
Starting Point: Sedona, Arizona, Highway 89A and 179.
| Author: | |
| Status: | Open |
| Offroaded on: | 02/24/2018 |
