Apache Maid Peak was the second of two peaks we wanted to explore this weekend up here in the Coconino National Forest southeast of Flagstaff. Yesterday we drove up and camped (and I hiked) near Hutch Mountain. Before our drive home today, we made plans to drive up the road that leads to the top of Apache Maid Peak’s lookout tower. Apache Maid Peak is a fairly easy peak to spot: a noticeable “hump” of a mountain not too far east of the interstate south of the Stoneman Lake exit. It’s actually more noticeable a bit further north on the interstate, where it starts the long descent off the Coconino Plateau. Normal access would be off the interstate at the Stoneman Lake exit, but since we were already in the forest to the east, we came in via Forest Road 230 near the junctions of FR-213 and FR-3 (Stoneman Lake Road and Lake Mary Road).

We followed FR-230 southwesterly about 7 miles to its junction with FR-229, following the signs to Apache Maid Peak, easily visible not too far ahead. From this junction we went a bit south and caught FR-620, which leads all the way up to the top. If coming in off the interstate, take Stoneman Lake Road east about 7 miles to a T-junction and go right (south) onto FR-229 about 6 miles to the aforementioned junction. We ended up leaving via FR-229 for a loop drive. The roads to this point were mostly excellent all-weather, bumpy in very few places. FR-229 seemed overall better than FR-230.

The drive to the top covers about 4.5 miles from the FR 230/229/620 junction area. The first couple miles is still on the flat forest valleys below. The final 2.5 miles, give or take, goes up the mountain, gaining about 800 feet to top out at an active lookout tower. The road to the top was in great shape but exposed in a few places. A passenger car could make it if the driver is careful. We hit the top around 10 in the morning in breezy clear weather. It was kind of warm, and the bugs were zipping all over the place. The views are excellent! Humphreys Peak was visible to the north, sticking above the plateau. The Sedona Red Rocks were visible to the west. Further southwest were the Black Hills, with Mingus and Woodchute Peaks in the distance. To the southeast was Pine Mountain. We stayed up top a few minutes. I sauntered over to the “real” summit – a pile of rocks about 200 feet from the tower area. I found the benchmark, snapped a few photos, and returned to the truck. The drive down went well, and our whole time on the mountain itself was about 45 minutes.

We identified numerous good camping spots. I am thinking I’d like to hike Apache Maid in winter not long after a snow. It looks like it would be very pretty. We’ll be back certainly! On the drive out we took some time to explore Stoneman Lake itself, then returned to the heat of Phoenix. In all, a nice easy weekend exploring some back roads.