Magma Arizona Railroad

The Narrow Gauge Route


This shot is a view to the northwest across the road to where the last page concluded. We are around milepost 20 and this side road conveniently marks the location where the grade crosses over to the other side of the main road. Another saguaro covered hill in the background.



In this view to the southwest, a slight mound can be seen marking the location of the grade as it heads into the brush. A cut on the SG route can be seen beyond the tall saguaro at the right.



Rather than scramble through some more thick brush I cheated and walked the road down to a washout in the grade. This shot shows a clear mound from the former grade.



A little further down the road, I found a convenient spot to hop back up on the grade in a clearing. Rather than a mound the grade is now down in a depression.



It looks like the clear path won't be around too much longer. The tall Salt Cedars on the left mark the location of dwellings that were adjacent to Queen Siding.



I think that it is time to head back down to the road rather than bush whack it.



I'm still finding the small spikes every once in a while but any signs of ties are very scarce.



Another short trek down the road and I was able to hop back up on the grade again.



The grade is well defined in here but quite overgrown.



That is one of the most unusual saguaros that I have encountered.



Once again it looks like it is time to head back down to the road.



The next spot to hit the grade was around milepost 20.6. The grade is right next to the road with the SG visible at the right.



Some landmarks are now starting to come into view. Picketpost Mountain can be seen in the center and Apache Leap is at the left.  Faint signs of residences near the Queen Creek crossing are also seen on the left.



A few more blooms on a barrel cactus provide some color.



The NG and SG are just a stones throw apart as we get closer to Queen Siding.



I couldn't resist throwing in this shot of the SG Queen Siding that is almost completely buried.  The location is about milepost 21.2 and the conclusion of this segment. Beyond here we start getting into private land so the next segment that will be covered is up beyond milepost 23.



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