Sunday Drive - Mt. Trumbull
If you’re looking for a fun Sunday drive you might not think of the Arizona strip but you may want to reconsider! Thanks to all of the rain we’ve gotten over the last several months, the desert has definitely come alive and driving out to the Mount Trumbull Schoolhouse is prettier than you might think.
While the road out to the schoolhouse is unpaved, it is well cared for and can easily be done in any vehicle. As you begin your drive you aren’t surprised by the desert scenery but then you feel like you’re in a completely different place when you are surrounded by trees and so much greenery. The best part of the drive was discovering fields covered in orange globemallow flowers. You won’t be able to resist pulling over to take photos!
After a stop or two to take photos of the globemallows, you’ll reach the Mount Trumbull Schoolhouse, which is seemingly in the middle of nowhere (because it is). The original schoolhouse was built in 1918 and was not only used for school, but for church, as a dance hall, and for town meetings. The door is open for you to go in and explore the old photos and the history of the area. The original school house was used until the 1960s and was later restored in the 1990s. Sadly, arsonists burned it down but it was rebuilt to help preserve the history of the area. While the area seems sparse, it did actually grow to about 250 people in the 1930s. The Mount Trumbull Schoolhouse lot has picnic tables, a small playground, a restroom, and some old trucks and equipment you can safely explore.
Further Adventures to the Grand Canyon!
If you want to continue your adventure, you have a 4-wheel drive vehicle, and you love amazing views, you can continue down the road to Whitmore Canyon Overlook. The road can seem long when you get to the more rocky areas and your speed is reduced considerably, but between the lava flow and the anticipation of the view to come, it makes for a fun drive with a rewarding end! Be sure to bring plenty of water and snacks, because adding this portion to your drive will make it a 5-6 hour outing, but you won’t regret it!
