Photo by Mare Czinar

Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest

Because of its extraordinary beauty and historical significance, the path up Escudilla Mountain has been designated a National Recreation Trail. The route doesn’t disappoint, living up to its reputation right from the start. Topping out at just under 10,900 feet, Escudilla Mountain Trail is Arizona’s third highest path – only Humphreys Peak and Mount Baldy trails are higher.

The hike begins in a breezy stand of aspens that crowd the slopes and resemble willowy ladies in feathered hats chattering over tea. Beyond the gateway of aspens, the trail emerges onto high-altitude grasslands flanked by patchworks of mixed-conifer forests and rich, green glens ablaze with mountain bluebells and pink thistle. Amid this splendor lived the last of Arizona’s grizzly bear population. The great predators called this place home until hunters ended their reign upon the mountain more than a century ago.

Near the summit, which is home to Arizona’s loftiest fire lookout, the trail gets steeper and enters a shadowy pine forest where spongy mosses and lichens cling to boulders and trees and spew an herbal, musky perfume into the air.

Lurking in the midst of it all are the Southwest’s only Mexican grey wolves. Hunted to near extinction in the past century, Canis lupis baileyi was saved by the reintroduction project administered by the Arizona Game & Fish Department. Since the first wolves were released in 1998, the packs have thrived and grown to several dozen. Today, their territory spans the mountainous ranges on the border of Arizona and New Mexico. Elusive and fleet-of-foot, it’s likely that the only evidence of the wolves you’ll find along White Mountain trails is their distinctive straight-line tracks and a chorus of harmonic howls. Still, the fact that they are “out there” adds to the allure of the area. While grizzly bears are not likely to find their way back to Escudilla Mountain any time soon, it’s comforting to think that the loss might be mitigated by the return of the wolves to their ancestral homeland.

LENGTH: 6 miles round-trip
RATING: moderate
ELEVATION GAIN: 1,400 feet
GETTING THERE: From Springerville, go south on Highway191/180 for about 20 miles to Forest Road 56 (between mileposts 420 and 421). Turn left on FR-56 and drive roughly 5 miles to the signed trailhead.
INFORMATION: 928-333-4301 or fs.fed.us/r3/asnf; information about the National Recreation Trail program: americantrails.org/nationalrecreationtrails; information about the Mexican grey wolf reintroduction project: azgfd.gov/wolf

Bonus Hike
GOVERNMENT TRAIL 119

For a more challenging hike to the summit of Escudilla Mountain, try Government Trail. This un-maintained old logging road climbs up the western slopes of the mountain along Profanity Ridge – the name has significance, as you’ll discover every rugged, steep step of the way. The sweaty effort pays off, though, with great views of Mount Baldy and the many river gorges in the area. After roughly 2 miles of arduous climbing, the trail merges with Escudilla Mountain Trail (see above) for a much easier trek to the summit.

LENGTH: 10 miles round-trip
RATING: difficult
ELEVATION GAIN: 1,677 feet
GETTING THERE: From Springerville, go south on Highway 191/180 about 20 miles to Forest Road 56 (between mileposts 420 and 421). Turn left onto FR-56 and continue for 1.6 miles to a road that branches off to the left. Park there near the “Wildlife Area” sign. Hike up the old dirt road for another 2 miles to connect with the Government Trail.
INFORMATION: fs.fed.us/r3/asnf