Coke Ovens 4x4 Trail, Arizona

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White Canyon Wilderness

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Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 14.2 miles / 23 km
Duration: Half day

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Overview: See unique, beehive-shaped ovens near the Cochran Townsite. This area was closed for a time but is now open. Please help keep the area clean. The ovens were used in the early 1900s to make coke, a clean-burning fuel used in blast furnaces to produce iron ore. Coke was made by baking a mixture of different kinds of coal at high temperature without contact with air. This trail is rated difficult for ATVs. Open all year except a few weeks a year when military training exercises are in progress. Dates of closure are posted at the main entrance at Cottonwood Canyon Road and Mineral Mountain Road. The area is closed if red flags are flying. A State Trust Land permit is required to ride in this area. Call 602-364-2753 for details.

Rating:

Moderate. Steep climbs, tippy shelf roads and challenging rock obstacles. Stock vehicles should have high ground clearance and good articulation. Skid plates recommended. Very remote location. Don’t drive alone.

This trail is one of 75 trails from the book, Guide to Arizona Backroads & 4-Wheel Drive Trails, by Charles Wells, and is available at www.funtreks.com. This trail is also in FunTreks ATV Trails Guide Arizona Phoenix Region.

Tips: Carry lots of water and sun protection. Travel with other vehicles. Notify someone where you going. Make sure to carry a State Trust Land Permit.

Trail conditions can change without notice. FunTreks, Inc. and its owner and employees are not responsible for injury, death, or vehicle damage as a result of using this guide. The content of this guide is the property of FunTreks, Inc. and is made available to the user pursuant to EveryTrail’s Terms of Service (http://www.everytrail.com/tos.php)

Points of Interest

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Start Here

This is a convenient place to start. It is the intersection of two major county roads. Your phone directions will get you to this point. Head south from here on Mineral Mountain Road. Follow the tracklog as roads and wash bottoms mingle together and it can be confusing at times.

1D. Low-clearance SUV has a hard time.JPG Photo

You'll pass entrance to Woodpecker Photo

Check signs at main entrances for closure dates copy Photo

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Decision Point

Right here follows the canyon bottom. It is mostly easy except for one giant rocky ledge that many will find difficult. Stock SUVs with low ground clearance should not go this way. Left follows high points around the canyon. It is narrow and steep in places, but fairly easy. It is also more scenic.

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Giant Ledge

This spot looks worse than it is. The easiest line goes down the right (west) side. Not for vehicles with low ground clearance.

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Bypass route rejoins

Main route and higher bypass route come back together here.

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Old Stage Stop

Although rapidly deteriorating, this used to be and old stage stop. Note remnants of an old well.

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Important intersection

Make sharp left turn here and climb hill. This way goes to Martinez Canyon and the Coke Ovens. Straight heads into Box Canyon. (Available as eGuide from FunTreks on EveryTrail.)

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Scenic High Point

Low-clearance SUV should stop here at this scenic high point marked by a cattle guard.

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Key Intersection

Stay right here to reach Coke Ovens. You'll climb and descend several long, steep rocky hills. Left here goes to Martinez Canyon. (Available as eGuide from FunTreks on EveryTrail.)

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Start of Loop

Continue straight and begin clockwise loop. You'll return on the road to the left.

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Coke Ovens

Zigzag uphill to Coke Ovens. From here you can double back the way you came, or continue on around the loop. There are two large ledges to climb if you continue. When you reach start of loop, turn left and return the way you came.