The Coconino sun. (Flagstaff, Ariz.) 1898-1978, 1916-07-28
GODFREY SYKES LOGS
tonic ROUTE TO FLAGSTAFF

Having lately returned from the
northern part of the state by way of
the comparatively little known Tonic
Basin route, append rough log of
the road in the interest Of fellow auto
lists who may contemplate taking
their summer outing in the northern
highlands.
From scenic point of view the
Tonic Basin region is second to
nothing in the state and the mileage
between Tucson and Flagstaff is cut
down to about 315 miles. Now that
White and Black river bridges are
both out on the Rice-C Cooley road, this
still affords an alternative route to the
Phoenix-P Prescott one.
/ can not honestly commend the
roads; there is an air of studied ne
glect about the conditions of many
of them which is strongly suggestive
Of the peculiar brand of landscape
gardening in the small triangle in
front Of the Southern Pacific depot,
or of the zones of broken country
which seem to be inevitable where the
jurisdiction of city and county meet
in the region of the Santa Cruz cross
ings.
or all the roads traversed on the
run perhaps the most disheartening is
the government built highway
through the Salt River canyon to the
Roosevelt dam. 1t bristles with signs
indicative of the good intentions of
officialdom concerning it's upkeep and
condition, but in common with an
other region, little, save good inten-
tons, seems to be used in making
surface repairs. From eight to ten
miles an hour is comfortable speed
over this link.
Along the western shore of the
lake, the road is good but tortuous
and requires some careful driving.
There are some long, heavy grades,
before reaching Payson, but the sur
face is in general, fair. Between Pay
son and Pine, heavy grades are being
constructed over series of steep
hills, which will doubtless materialize
into real roads in course of time, but
are at present largely chaos. Beyond
Pine one begins to climb the rim"
and the scenery hereabouts is superb.
although the road surface is general
ly rough.
Once upon the rim the route lies
through pine forests and open parks
with fair roads until Mormon lake is
approached, and here for stretch of
six miles or so one must pass through
farm gates and then along rough
hillside in order to get around the lake
itself. The water has risen steadily
for several seasons and the low-level
roads on both sides of the lake are
now under water.
Surmounting a slight rim at the
north end of the lake, the road passes
down through Clark's valley, to Lake
Mary and from there directly into
Flagstaff.
The city authorities of the Sky-light
city have provided free camping
ground with good water for visiting
autoists who care to take advantage
of the privilege.
Tucson to Florence, II miles.
Leave Florence over the old Mesa
road along the telephone line and
strike off across the desert towards
the bold western end of the mountains
by any available road in the vicinity
of the first cattle ranch.
Florence to Goldfeld as above
about 40 miles.
Goldfeld to Roosevelt dam. Al
miles.
Roosevelt dam to Payson, 60 miles
Payson to Pine, Is miles.
Pine to Mormon lake, 60 miles.
| Mormon lake to Lake Mary, Ii
miles.
Lake Mary tol Flagstaff, 10 miles.
Total 316 miles.
In wet weather be sure to carry
chains, as some of the grades are yer,
slippery.
GODFREY SYKES