Around the Cows

Trail Overview

This trail is a primary access point off Highway 93 to a network of trails in the area. The trail follows several fenced cattle areas until it turns and enters a sandy wash. The wash areas are very narrow in some places with steep or soft sandy transitions. The desert bushes are somewhat overgrown, making for some very tight spots for regular-size vehicles. Thorns on some of the plants make it difficult to get out and perform trail maintenance. The trail ends on a beautiful section of BLM land close to the base of the mountains. The area is lush green in the spring, which would make for a nice, dispersed campsite. There are lots of trails in the area to link up to. Keep in mind that many might be overgrown. Some places can be pretty muddy in the wet season. This area gets very hot in the summer months. Plan for the worst and bring extra water and supplies if traveling in the hot months. Keep an eye out for rattlesnakes. There are only one to two bars of AT&T cellular service that fade in and out. Be sure to download your offline maps beforehand to be sure you can find your way around.

Photos of Around the Cows

Want to see more?

Login

Difficulty

Overall, the trail is tight and narrow with deep sandy washes and steep transitions. Some of the transitions are across water drainage and can be washed out and deeper after a storm. During the wet season, the muddy puddle sections may become impassable.

History

This route is on Arizona State Trust Land. This land requires a yearly permit that can be purchased and printed online. The permits allow certain recreational activities, including camping, bicycling, bird watching, GPS-based recreational activities (geocaching), hiking, horseback riding, off-highway vehicle (OHV) usage, photography, picnicking, and sightseeing. There are a few permit options depending on your use type: An Individual Permit is $15 and grants a single person access to State Trust Land for the above-listed purposes. The permit is good for one year from the date of purchase. A Family Permit costs $20 and grants a family unit (two adults and their children under 18) access to State Trust Land for the above-listed activities. The permit is good for one year from the date of purchase. A Small-Group Permit costs $15 and grants up to 19 people access to State Trust Land locations for five consecutive days for certain types of non-commercial recreational activities, including the above-listed activities. The permit is good for one year from the date of purchase. A Large-group Permit is for a group larger than 20 people. You must apply for this size separately online and be approved for group activities of this size. Responsibilities: Permittee(s) shall respect the land and adhere to the terms and conditions of the permit at all times. Permittee(s) shall comply with all federal, state, county, and municipal laws and ordinances while on State Trust Land. The Permittee(s) shall have the permit with them at all times while recreating on State Trust Land and have it readily available if stopped by law enforcement or any State Land Department staff. The Permittee(s) shall not remove natural products from or visit archaeological sites on State Trust Land. The Permittee(s) shall not create or leave any trash on State Trust Land, except for geocaches placed according to ASLD. The Permittee(s) shall not discharge a firearm on State Trust Land except pursuant to lawful and licensed hunting. An ASLD Recreational Permit is not required for individuals with a valid hunting and fishing license who are actively pursuing game or fish. The Permittee(s) shall only participate in OHV usage on State Trust Land with an ASLD Recreational Permit and an OHV decal or license plate. The Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) is the issuing agency for the OHV decal, certificates of title, registrations, and license plates.

Technical Rating