Re: NNG but interesting then and now

Thanks Tom, I always enjoy getting out and hiking the old grades.

This stretch was known as the Anderson Mesa Incline and was built in 1917. Logs from up on the mesa were winched down the incline to the lower grade of the Flagstaff Lumber Company. The incline lasted less than a year after an accident with a Shay. The Shay ventured too close to the incline and wandered down grade and off the end of the line. The crew jumped to safety but the Shay was destroyed. "Central Arizona Railroad" by Thomas Schuppert covers this line along with other logging lines in the region.

Up on top of the mesa I hiked one of the logging spurs for about a mile. Part of this section of the grade is now used for the Arizona Trail. I have yet to explore all of the spurs up on the mesa.

The wild flowers up on top were really blooming and made for some nice scenery. Meanwhile a storm rumbling over the San Fransisco Peaks was reminding me that it was time to head down before the mud holes in the road get too bad.



Dave