On this two-day fundraising trip for Willow Bend Environmental Education Center, volunteer board members Eric Souders and Neil Weintraub (former South Kaibab Zone archaeologist) will lead 10 participants and two camels to retrace the 1857-1859 footsteps of Lieutenant Edward Beale, his crews, and camels who built the first federally constructed wagon road in the United States in 1857. This marks the second annual trip, a unique living history program interpreting the history of the Beale Wagon Road across the Williams Ranger District and connecting ongoing forest restoration projects to the human history of the forest. Accommodations are reserved at Spring Valley Cabin for participants choosing to stay in either the bunkhouse or the main cabin.

Trip Itinerary:

Saturday, May 18th, 12 PM to 4 PM: The tour begins with a meeting at the junction of Beale Wagon Road and Forest Road 793 southeast of Government Mountain. Participants, guided by Eric, Neil, and two camels, will traverse one of the best-preserved sections of the wagon road in Northern Arizona—a 2-mile roundtrip hike. Opportunities to ride camels will be offered. Afterward, the group will caravan to Elk Springs for a quick interpretive stop, discussing the significance of recent forest restoration projects. The night will be spent at Spring Valley Cabin Bunkhouse.

Saturday, May 18th, 5:30 to 7:30 PM: Enjoy a Dutch Oven Dinner and a presentation on the history of the Beale Wagon Road by Neil and Eric at Spring Valley Cabin.

Sunday, May 19th, 7 AM to 12 PM: The day starts with breakfast, followed by a carpool from Spring Valley Cabin for an interpretive hike to Laws Spring.

Sunday, May 19th, 12 PM: Check-out and return to Flagstaff.

Cost: $450 members, $500 non-members. Nonrefundable.