Back Way to the Desert Bar 3.0

Avoid the highway on your trip to the Desert Bar, aka Nellie E Saloon.  A popular Jeep trail through interesting and scenic country to a bar only open on weekends.  A nice trip even if the saloon is closed.

The Desert Bar is located in the Buckskin Mountains, and can be reached by passenger car via Cienega Springs Road, or by following this track for added enjoyment.
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We do this trip during the week because we are curmudgeons and do not like big crowds.  Expect lots of people, both on the trail and on Cienega Springs Road, if you go on a weekend.  You cannot even get to view the business if you go during the week!

There are numerous hard core trails in the area but we do not cover them at this time.
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There is a GPS - gpx track file at the bottom of the page.

Desert Bar

Begin your trip at "The Chicken" on Arizona Highway 95.  The name will become obvious upon arrival.

The first obstacle is immediately at the beginning of the trail.  Now is the time to turn around if this discourages you.  There are more areas that are different, but equally difficult.

This is a popular and very heavily used trail.  Heavy use has worn the track into the ground and left many rocks and exposed ledges.  Be prepared for a slow trip.  Don't worry, it is only 5 miles to the bar.​

First obstacle

Rough road

This photo illustrates how deeply the road is worn into the desert.

There is a high spot along the route with memorial plaques attached to a ledge.  This is a great viewpoint.

Well used road

View from memorial spot

There are several shafts for the Gray Eagle Mine.  This one is near the ruins of a stone cabin.

After the mine you will drop down into Cienega Springs and come to the Desert Bar.

Stone cabin ruins and Gray Eagle Mine

Down into Cienega Springs

Go back to State highway 95 via Cienega Road or explore the many other roads in the area.

​Page updated 2017.

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back_way_to_the_desert_bar_3.0.gpx
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