Where is Leroux Spring?

Leroux Spring is located a few miles north of Flagstaff near the Arizona Snow Bowl Road.  It is nestled into the side of the San Francisco Mountains at the head of Fort Valley and is the source of the Rio de Flag or San Francisco River.  The spring no longer flows freely into the valley as it did in the past because the city of Flagstaff has captured its waters for municipal use.  The valley is still fairly untouched, however.  All roads leading in are gated and locked.  I'm told that before the railroad was built there was a post office and stage station in the valley right about where the Hotshot Firefighters headquarters now stands.

To get to Leroux Spring, take Highway 180 north out of Flagstaff toward the Grand Canyon.  Turn right on the road to the Arizona Snow Bowl.  This road goes due north for one mile, then makes a sharp right turn. Instead of turning right take the dirt road that goes straight and park at the gate.  Reaching the spring requires a level, pleasant walk of about a mile.

On your way out Highway 180 you might want to stop at the Museum of Northern Arizona.  Jack Beale Smith tells me that the Beale Wagon Road passed between the museum building and the road at this point.  There is a spring immediately behind the museum in a small canyon which was a watering stop for the Whipple expedition and the Beale wagon road.  Whipple called it San Francisco Spring.

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