FR 513

FR 513 and its connecting spurs are one of those gems that most folks race by without noticing. After all, in the vast Coconino National Forest, it can be difficult to see the forest for the trees. Thus the casual visitor may be excused for missing the pristine forest of tall Ponderosa pines that envelop FR 513. The forest here is anything but confining. Moqui Draw parallels the first section of the trail. Its open grassy meadow is often studded with wildflowers giving the area a park-like feel. The forest is largely devoid of brushy undergrowth, adding to the open feel of the landscape. The wind singing through the tops of the tall pines is guaranteed to lower your blood pressure and illicit an "ahhhh." The higher elevation makes the area a desirable escape from summer's heat in the deserts below. While FR 513 is a fairly easy drive, the connecting spur trails offer a bit more interesting wheeling and a look deeper into the forest. Seeing deer, elk, and turkey along them is common. Black bear sightings are rarer. Seeing cows on the trail in the summer is almost certain since grazing is allowed in this portion of the National Forest. Besides watching out for cow pies, keep a mindful eye out for the sneak thief ravens eyeing your campsite for food and trinkets.