Government Trail
State: Arizona
Location: Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest
Length, One-Way: 2.9 miles
Trail Type: Out and Back
Minimum Elevation: 9200 feet
Maximum Elevation: 10877 feet
Best Season: May to October
Difficulty: More Difficult
Usage: Light
Apache Trail View
Trail Information
For those who want to get to know Escudilla Mountain from the bottom to the top, hiking the Government Trail is the way to do it. Although this historic trail is no longer maintained, people still seek it out for a hike all the way to the mountain summit. Its steep, talus covered switchbacks once provided Forest Service workers an access route to man the lookout on the mountain summit as well as to fight fires and manage the forest. Today those same obstacles help the trail live up to its strenuous rating. The Government Trail ascends Escudilla’s western slopes. Because of its steepness and exposure, this route offers excellent views off to the west for most of the hike. Mount Baldy (Arizona’s second highest peak), Mt. Ord and the Black River drainage form some of the more prominent landmarks in the panorama.
On Profanity Ridge, Government Trail joins the Escudilla Trail for the last one mile or so of the hike to the top. Having come this far you’ll most likely want to continue to the summit and the Fire Tower located there where you’ll find views that stretch from the San Francisco Peaks near Flagstaff to the mountains and canyons of New Mexico.
If you’re a mountain biker, this area can provide some excellent riding as well as hiking. The road that provides access to the Government Trail is closed to motorized vehicles but open to bicycles. If you continue on that road past the Government Trail cutoff, you’ll find an extensive system of primitive roads that provide lots of riding potential. Remember, however, that wilderness areas (including Escudilla) are closed to bikes as well as to motor vehicles.
