1985 - Black Canyon Trail Activity: Moe Schalmo was ASHA’s Maricopa County Trails Committee Chairman at the time that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) requested that we establish the proper route of the multi-purpose trail (Bicycle, Hiker and Equestrian) for its entire 47-mile length.
Moe was an enthusiastic horseman, and his wife and kids enjoyed riding with him. I recall being assigned a portion of the Sun Circle with him by Tom Thomas who was arranging an entire Sun Circle ride, with the exception of the Aqua Fria portion. A driving group covered some of the sections. Moe and I were chosen to ride the portion through Scottsdale. We arrived in Scottsdale at 5 P.M., on a Friday afternoon, and it was a good thing that our horses didn’t mind heavy traffic. Moe was always a lot of fun, but unfortunately died a few years after our ride.
The main subject here is the Black Canyon Trail and between Howard Gilmore, the spark plug at Maricopa County Park and Moe, a special committee was formed to address the request of BLM. The committee chosen was as follows: Don Meyers, Arizona State Parks; Barbara Ahearn, BLM; Tish Clough, Arizona State Land Department; Emery Henderson, ASHA; Bob Bentley Chairman, ASHA.
The portion through Maricopa County was completed in the summer of 1985. The accomplishments were presented to Yavapai County Board of Supervisors, who assigned Harry Stevens of their parks and recreation department, and requested that the committee continue with their work on the portion of the trail in their county. The work of the committee consisted of using horses on portions of the trail, and the BLM provided four-wheel drive vehicles for sections of the trail in Yavapai. Howard Gilmore even arranged a helicopter for portions in Maricopa County.
Historically the trail traces it’s roots to 1919 when the United States Department Of Interior laid out the route as a livestock driveway. It was used mainly by valley woolgrowers to herd sheep from their summer range in the mountains. The Espil Family of Litchfield Park herded the last sheep on the trail in 1974.
In 1969, the United States Secretary of the Interior, Stew Udall, realizing that the corridor was about through as a sheep drive and with the urging of ASHA members, set aside the roughly one mile wide corridor as a recreation area.
ASHA was continually active in the development of the trail because it represented a vital part of the statewide trail system: connecting the 51st Avenue Trail with the Sun Circle Trail. The trail ended five miles North of Cordes Junction.
The work accomplished by the committee in the period between 1985 and the dedication in 1987 was the most successful committee work that I was ever involved in. The committee worked a total of 30 days on the trail and expended, a total of 660 hours. Emery Henderson was extremely helpful with his prior experience on portions of the Southern part of the trail, and Howard Gilmore showed our appreciation by naming the trailhead on the New River Road after him.
Barbara Ahearn of BLM was always available and provided for our needs, including transportation. The combination of Don Meyers and Trish Clough provided the clarification of the real estate definitions of the where a bouts of the trail at various points. The committee received compliments from all agencies involved, and the Yavapai Board of Supervisors provided commendations to the committee.
The trail was officially dedicated on May 14, 1987 and was attended by many dignitaries, including Pete Espil of the family that last used the drive for herding sheep in 1974. The dedication site was on the river near the Gillett Town site. ASHA provided plaques to the committee members.
This whole operation probably would not have happened without the help of Howard Gilmore and his boss, Bill Richwine, of Maricopa County Parks. Their help and dedication were invaluable.
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