Magma Arizona Railroad
The Narrow Gauge Route
This next segment picks up on the north side of Hewitt Station Road at
about milepost 18.3. This view is from the road looking to the northeast towards
the grade.
The grade in here is pretty hard to pick out but sheared of rail bolts
can be found.
Eventually a mound begins to rise up off the desert floor to mark the
way.
Another washout is encountered as the grade heads towards Hewitt Station.
The saguaro has an odd assortment of arms.
The grade starts flattening out again blending in with the surrounding
earth.
Heading down into a bit of a depression and the trees are getting thicker.
I'm not sure what the metal pole next t to the grade was used for.
Another washout to traverse once I make my way through the thorny brush.
Once again the grade merges with the road.
A little further down and the grade drops down below the road on the
north side.
This section probably presented some challenges at times when Queen Creek
was flowing with runoff.
Oh no, more thorny brush invading the grade. I can't imagine trying to
clear all of this stuff during construction.
The cattle pen at the Hewitt Station site is starting to come into view.
The cattle pen at the Hewitt Station site. In the early days the railroad
would haul cattle that were grazed on Tonto Forest land. I'm not sure how
much of this is original since the chute is not pointed in the right direction
to line up with grade. I haven't found any photos from the early days at Hewitt.
This is the stopping point for this segment at about milepost 19.2.
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