| Alt Names |
Martinez Canyon, Box Canyon, Queen Valley, Florence Junction, Walnut Canyon, Ajax Mine, Double Peaks, Mineral Mountain, North Butte, Bell Butte, The Rincon, Gila River, Cottonwood Canyon Road, Diversion Dam Road |
| DESCRIPTION |
This area is very popular with the locals and if you go there you will know why.
Among the many things to see here are the “Box Canyon”, which is a tall, narrow and colorful canyon that has a small runoff stream that flows through the center during the winter months, various mines, an old house or cabin and five well-preserved coke ovens. If coming in from the center of Florence, keep to the main road to reach the box canyon.
To reach the coke ovens, veer right shortly after the cattle guard at the end of the box canyon (you will see a fork in the trail with an arrow sign). Just stay on the main road again from here, but a couple of Rinos or at least some Chatterboxes would come in handy, as there are a number of side trails that can easily take you way off course. You generally want to keep turning right.
Some of the rock-face climbs will be challenging for some jeeps and trucks, however most intermediate motorcycle riders and ATVers should not have too much of a problem. Do beware of the potential for flash flooding of the box canyon area during and after heavy rain. This is a great trail for any type of vehicle - lifted 4x4, jeep, motorcycle, or ATV. A good time is guaranteed.
***ANNOUNCEMENTS*** (September 2010)
|
| LOCATION |
| Nearest City |
Mesa, AZ |
| GPS Coordinates |
N 33º 10.746' W 111º 21.009' |
|
From: Mesa, AZ
1) Take Hwy 60 east to exit 212 (Florence Junction)
2) Turn right (south) off the exit ramp onto Hwy 79, continue 5.4 miles
3) Look for a cattle guard on the left (east), turn here
For the south entrance staging area
4) Continue 9.9 miles
5) Turn left (east) onto Diversion Dam Rd., continue 5.1 miles
6) Look for a large flat open area on the left, turn here. |
| AREA TYPE |
| Area Type |
Trail |
| Land Type |
State Trust Land |
| QUALITY |
| Pros |
top notch scenery, very fun narrow and tall canyon with many shallow water crossings |
| Cons |
trails are not marked, busy, unclear about legal and illegal boundaries, no clear staging area, super long access road |
| Rating |
 Excellent
|
| Recommended Stay |
1-2 Days
Winter/Spring |
| TERRAIN |
| Square Miles |
50 |
| Miles Of Trail |
50 |
| Climate Type |
Desert |
| Elevation |
1500 to 2500 ft. |
| Trail Maintenance |
Not Marked, Not Rated, Lightly Maintained |
| Loose Dirt |
 Little |
| Hard Pack |
 Some |
| Sand |
Some |
| Mud |
Little |
| Dust |
Little |
| Rocks |
Some |
| Trees |
Some |
| Steep Hills |
Some |
| Water Crossings |
 Many |
| Small Jumps |
Some |
| Large Jumps |
 None |
| Berms |
Some |
| Sand/Gravel Pits |
 Few |
| Single Track |
None |
| Roads |
 Mostly |
| Intersections |
Many |
| Rider Traffic |
Many |
| Shade |
Some |
| Ranges/Gunfire |
Few |
| Hazards |
Few |
| Novice Terrain |
Mostly |
| Amateur Terrain |
Some |
| Expert Terrain |
Some |
| REGULATIONS |
| Permit Required |
Yes |
| Dates Open |
Year-Round |
| Spark Arrestor |
Yes |
| Noise Limit |
Yes |
| Night Riding |
Yes |
| Flags |
Not Required |
| Two Strokes |
No Restriction |
| Cross Country |
Prohibited |
| ATVs |
No Restriction |
| UTVs |
No Restriction |
| 4x4s (registered) |
No Restriction |
| Unregistered Cars/4x4s/Buggies |
No Restriction |
| Bicycles |
No Restriction |
| Hiking |
No Restriction |
| Horseback |
No Restriction |
| Camping |
No Restriction |
| Campfires |
No Restriction |
| Alcohol |
No Restriction |
| Fireworks |
Prohibited |
| Firearms |
Prohibited |
| Law Enforcement |
Few/Periodic |
| FEES |
| Parking Fee |
No ($0.00)
|
| Entry Fee |
No ($0.00)
|
| Riding Fee |
No ($0.00)
|
| Camping Fee |
No ($0.00)
|
| KEY SERVICES |
| First Aid |
20-30 Miles (NW) |
| Gasoline |
5-20 Miles (S) |
| Diesel |
5-20 Miles (NW) |
| Water |
5-20 Miles (S) |
| RV Hookup |
5-20 Miles (NW) |
| RV Disposal |
5-20 Miles (NW) |
| Campground |
5-20 Miles (NW) |
| Conv Store |
5-20 Miles (S) |
| Swim Area |
30+ Miles (NW) |
| Water Body |
On Site |
| Boat Ramp |
30+ Miles (NW) |
| CONTACTS |
| Contact Info |
AZ BLM
One North Central Ave. Suite 800
Phoenix, AZ 85004-4427
(602) 417-9200
www.blm.gov
|
| Contact Info |
Arizona State Land Department
1616 W. Adams St.
Phoenix, AZ 85007
(602) 364-2753
inquiry@land.az.gov
www.land.state.az.us
|
|
| Florence Coke Ovens Trail Photo |
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| The box canyon portion of the trail has high walls and shallow water (usually). |
| Florence Coke Ovens Trail Photo |
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| A popular goal is to reach these coke ovens. The closer you get the rougher the trail. Expect some moderate challenges. |
| Florence Coke Ovens Trail Photo |
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| There are also some abandoned mines to see and greate desert scenery. The trails are wide, but not always smooth. |
| Florence Coke Ovens Trail Photo |
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| The box canyon gets pretty narrow where the stream becomes the trail. Full size trucks will not find much room to spare. |
| Florence Coke Ovens Trail Photo |
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| Along the way to the coke ovens there are some great views like this. |
| Florence Coke Ovens Trail Photo |
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| If coming from the south (Florence) you'll need to veer right at the big fork after the box canyon to reach the coke ovens. |
| Florence Coke Ovens Trail Photo |
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| When you pass this pond you'll know you are still headed toward the coke ovens, but the roughest parts are still to come. |
| Florence Coke Ovens Trail Photo |
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| Florence Coke Ovens Trail Photo |
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| This trail leads to the river crossing... the back way to the coke ovens. The river is often too high for crossing. |
| Florence Coke Ovens Trail Photo |
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| Florence Coke Ovens Trail Photo |
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| Florence Coke Ovens Trail Photo |
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| You'll pass by the dam if you come in from Florence. You can often cross the river below the dam, to reach the sand pits. |
| Florence Coke Ovens Trail Photo |
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| This wash is another diversion off the main road coming in from Florence (south entrance). |
| Florence Coke Ovens Trail Photo |
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| Florence Coke Ovens Trail Photo |
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| You can find just about every type of terrain in this area. |
| Florence Coke Ovens Trail Photo |
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| This is an example of one of the rock-face climbs on the trail leading to the coke ovens. |
| Florence Coke Ovens Trail Photo |
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| Florence Coke Ovens Trail Photo |
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| Florence Coke Ovens Trail Photo |
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| Florence Coke Ovens Trail Photo |
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| Florence Coke Ovens Trail Photo |
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| Florence Coke Ovens Trail Photo |
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| Florence Coke Ovens Trail Photo |
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| Florence Coke Ovens Trail Photo |
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| Florence Coke Ovens Trail Photo |
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| Florence Coke Ovens Trail Photo |
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| There are some great ATV guided tours that run up this canyon from Florence. |
| Florence Coke Ovens Trail Photo |
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| This is the main staging area (northern). You can access the trails from here by following Cottonwood Canyon Road. |
| Florence Coke Ovens Trail Photo |
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| Florence Coke Ovens Trail Photo |
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| Florence Coke Ovens Trail Photo |
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| Florence Coke Ovens Trail Photo |
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| Florence Coke Ovens Trail Photo |
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| Florence Coke Ovens Trail Photo |
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| This canal is on the south side of the river and this road leads to some sandy play pits. |
| Florence Coke Ovens Trail Photo |
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| Florence Coke Ovens Trail Photo |
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| Yep, there is sand here too. |
| Florence Coke Ovens Trail Photo |
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| Both routes (northern and southern entrances) start out pretty smooth. Just stay on the main road and you'll reach the canyon. |
| Florence Coke Ovens Trail Photo |
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| Florence Coke Ovens Trail Photo |
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| Florence Coke Ovens Trail Photo |
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| Florence Coke Ovens Trail Photo |
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| Florence Coke Ovens Trail Photo |
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| Florence Coke Ovens Trail Photo |
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| Florence Coke Ovens Trail Photo |
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| Florence Coke Ovens Trail Photo |
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| Florence Coke Ovens Trail Photo |
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| Florence Coke Ovens Trail Photo |
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| Florence Coke Ovens Trail Photo |
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| Florence Coke Ovens Trail Photo |
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| Aproaching the box canyon from the south. |
| Florence Coke Ovens Trail Photo |
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| Florence Coke Ovens Trail Photo |
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| Florence Coke Ovens Trail Photo |
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| Another example of where the stream becomes the trail. |
| Florence Coke Ovens Trail Photo |
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Scroll down for trail contact information and regulations. Select a photo to enlarge.
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