The adventure begins at Kirkland Junction on SR89, south of the Prietas. The Wagoner road branches off to the east; the easiest-to-spot landmark is the great big Maughan Ranches sign. That's seven (7-count 'em-7) ranches under one ownership out this road. Maughan owns others in the area further south on SR89. One can only hope that there's an ironclad conservation easement on all that property!
The sign above announces what is important out toward Walnut Grove and Wagoner -- cattle. Open range, BTW.
And here is the road as it takes off over hill and dale heading southeast toward the Hassayampa River. This section is running primarily through through BLM (federal government) land.
Oops! Once the road reaches inhabited land, that is, tax-paying property, suddenly it is paved. Some interesting politics there, I would guess, dating way back. The alternating dirt and paved sections have existed ever since the LH and I began travelling this road back in the early 80s.
At this point, the route is dropping toward the river.
Always in Arizona there is a developer, though not much looks to have been built here.
Or here.
We're getting near the bridgework.
After crossing the river, the Wagoner road follows the Hassayampa for miles; oh, it's beautiful country down there. This detour is the regular route taken by large trucks which are too heavy for the bridge. The cattle guard (below) is located just before the detour rejoins the blacktop.
A side road takes off right at the bridge works.
Further along the road, we spotted this barn which has few days remaining. Its condition is somewhat surprising, inasmuch as most of the ranches along the river are prosperous spreads. They're rich in water, if nothing else!
The pavement leads through gates to the TK Bar...
Further along, the Walnut Grove schoolhouse. I don't believe that classes have been held here for a long time; the local kids take the long bus ride over to the school in Kirkland for K-6 and an even longer trip into Prescott for middle and high school.
Also at Walnut Grove: a church.
Further along: the Gold Bar Bed & Breakfast. I could happily spend a couple of weeks here along the river!
These "primitive road" signs have freaked me out for years. Actual meaning: 1) this is an unpaved county road that is 2) graded and drained but 3) doesn't meet federal highway standards. Or some such. Perfectly good for any fancy sedan. Humph, I'm sure these folks know all about the Real Primitive Roads out in the woods and chaparral here.
At this point, the road is unpaved but hasn't reached Wagoner as yet. Georgene & I turned around here, although if you are adventurous, have plenty of time and 4-wheel drive, you can make it all the way to Crown King.
A picture from long ago (1982), of my LH and the very, very young woman who has morphed into OmegaMom, in front of the last remaining building at Wagoner. Has it been that long? Sometime before 1990, the old store and post office structure gave up completely and the site was razed. I think that Wagoner is still on Arizona road maps -- but beware of "towns" on maps that are marked by an open circle. The symbol actually means a "location." Our first trip out to this spot, we assumed that it was a Real Town, with, among other things, a gas station. Hah!
In the 1880s, Wagoner was far more prepossessing than in 1982!A Family of Bloggers: I'm happy to report that in addition to the dotter (OmegaMom), my family now includes another blogger -- the Aussie Bro, who signs himself as Hermano in the comments. He's inclined to be a grump about misuse of the language, as you will find out at Antipodean Curmudgeon. And in a note this AM, the SSon has again pondered entering the Blogosphere to show off some wonderful bio-pictures. Go Sson! Go Curmudgeon Bro! Go OmegaMom!!!
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