East Pocket Road
Kachina Village, Arizona (Coconino) Technical Rating: 1-2
Last Updated: 02-02-2017
Woody Mountain Road, Fernow and Tram Tanks Trail, Muddy Rocky Road, Fry Lake Trail, FR 535
Kachina Village
Flagstaff
Fry Canyon Trail
Coconino National Forest
East Pocket Road Highlights
If you are a weekend explorer or want an area that can serve as a short expedition run, you've come to the right trail. East Pocket Road by itself is not terribly exciting, especially at the north end; however, it provides access to many incredible destinations including the Mogollon Rim. Here you can find breath taking views from above the red rocks and dirt found in the northern Verde Valley below along one particular spot known as the Edge of the World. Here you'll also find awesome dispersed, primitive camping spots. At the very end of the road you'll find a gate blocking private motor vehicle access to the East Pocket Lookout Tower. If your up for a hike you can go the final half-mile on foot to see the tower. Sometimes you may be able to get a tour of the tower; look for a sign on the gate indicating if visits are permitted at that time.
Technical rating: (1-2) Easy
Dirt road. Dry, or less than 3" water crossing depth. Some ruts. Slight grades, up to 10 degrees. 2WD under most conditions. Rain or snow may make 4WD necessary. Usually one and a half to two vehicles wide.
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Directions to Trailhead
East Pocket Road is a continuation of County Road 231 from the south end of Woody Mountain Road, about 9 miles south of Route 66. It can also be reached from Fry Lake Trail and FR 535.
Trailhead GPS Coordinates:
35° 8' 9.38"N
111° 47' 19.1"W
Topo Maps:
GPS Exchange File:
Route Description
The northern end of East Pocket Road is a well maintained dirt and gravel road, but as you continue south you will encounter some narrow bridge crossings and steep hill-sides along slanted curves. Towards the south the road becomes narrower and rougher with the occasional ruts, but is still passable in 2 wheel drive vehicles with moderate clearance. During wet conditions four wheel drive may be needed on the southern end to prevent getting stuck.
1: Guard & Sign (0.0mi)
The forest maintenance is from this cattle guard to the south. County maintenance is from here north and is known as Woody Mountain Road.
2: FR 526 Intersection (0.1mi)
Continue straight past this intersection with FR 526.
3: FR 231L Intersection (1.2mi)
Continue straight past this intersection with 231L.
4: FR 231D Intersection (2.3mi)
Continue straight through this intersection with FR 231D.
5: FR 530 Intersection (2.9mi)
Continue straight through this intersection with FR 530 to the west, and the private driveway to the east.
6: Mill Park (3.0mi)
Welcome to Mill Park. It's really just an open field. At the North end you'll find private property to the east of the trail, so treat the dirt roads on that side as you would a driveway.
7: FR 535 Intersection (3.8mi)
Continue Straight past FR 535 Intersection. Turning east onto 535 can take you to Highway 89A, but it requires a State Trust Land Permit on the west portion.
8: FR 6330 & FR 231H Intersection (4.2mi)
Continue straight through this intersection with FR 6330 and FR 231H.
9: Fry Lake Trail & FR 538 Intersection (5.9mi)
Continue straight through this intersection with Fry Lake Trail and FR 538. Fry Lake Trail can also be taken east to FR 535 which then connects with Highway 89A.
10: Muddy Rocky Road Intersection (7.8mi)
Continue straight past FR 231B, also dubbed Muddy Rocky Road.
11: Casner Cabin Draw (7.9mi)
This small bridge takes you over Casner Cabin Draw. You'll also find the now closed FR 9420W & high voltage power lines.
12: FR 9011G Intersection (8.1mi)
Continue straight past the intersection with 9011G. You can find Lockwood Spring at the other end of 9011G.
13: FR 231J Intersection (8.2mi)
Continue straight past the intersection with 231J
14: West Fork Tank (9.4mi)
There are lots of tanks in the area. This one is called West Fork Tank.
15: Big Bridge (10.2mi)
This is a large bridge over one of the canyons that extends north form the Mogollon Rim.
16: Fernow and Tram Tanks Trail Intersection (12.3mi)
Continue past 231A - Fernow and Tram Tanks Trail.
17: FR 539 Intersection (13.0mi)
Continue straight past FR 539.
18: Fernow Cabin Intersection (13.1mi)
Continue straight past FR 231E that takes you to Fernow Cabin.
19: Fernow Draw (13.2mi)
Fernow Draw goes right along with Fernow Cabin and Fernow Tank. I think someone thought the area was good enough "Fernow".
20: FR 9420T Intersection (13.4mi)
Continue straight past the intersection with FR 9420T.
21: FR 6402 Intersection (14.2mi)
Continue straight past the intersection with FR 6402.
22: FR 9013 Intersection (14.6mi)
Continue Straight past the intersection with FR 9013
23: FR 6399 Intersection (15.5mi)
Continue straight past the intersection with FR 6399.
24: 9012R Camping Spur Intersection (15.9mi)
Continue straight past this camping spur that heads to the south. It takes you to the Mogollon Rim, but is not as scenic as the camping areas coming up ahead.
25: FR 792 Intersection (16.0mi)
Continue Straight past FR 792. FR 792 heads north deeper into the forest.
26: Crater Tank (16.1mi)
Staying straight on 231 means staying to the right if you are heading in, or to the left if you are heading out. Within this confusing set of tracks, FR 231 is the only one still on the official MVUM. The other trails are left over from the cattle corral and Crater Tank were the cattle go for water.
27: Camping Spur Intersection (16.8mi)
Continue straight past this camping spur to continue on to the Edge of the World. If the Edge of the World is full, or your tired of driving, this camping area can give similar views.
28: FR 778 Intersection (17.2mi)
Continue straight past FR 778
29: Camp Spur Intersection (18.1mi)
This is the intersection that takes you to the camping spots along the Edge of the World.
30: Edge of the World Intersection (18.5mi)
This is a popular camping area for those who know about it, and are willing to take the time to get to and from it. It offers some of the most incredible views of any National Forest camping spots.
31: 9019M Camping Spur Intersection (18.3mi)
This old trail labeled 9019M is now just a camping spur, meaning you can travel down the trail up-to 200 feet away from the main FR 231 to camp.
32: Closed Gate (19.3mi)
This is the end of the public access of FR 231. Heading further southeast can be done on foot to access the East Pocket Lookout Tower.
33: East Pocket Knob - Lookout Tower (19.8mi)
East Pocket Lookout Tower, a-top of East Pocket Knob, is a popular hiking destination. Most people will hike to it from below at Bootlegger picnic area off Highway 89A. Taking the hike form that direction requires a Red Rock District permit.
Access Issues
This road may be closed in the winter if the snow pack gets too deep.
Camping and Lodging
The southern end of East Pocket Road offers some amazing primitive camping spots right on the edge of the Mogollon Rim. There are also cabins for rent that can be accessed from this road, and many other dispersed camping areas in the area. Check the MVUM for details.
Seth Hollist
I've been writing for TrailsOffroad since August 2015. Before that I had been off-road in places like central and northern Utah, east and west Texas, and...
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