Photo by Mare Czinar

From its shaded, riverside access point to the high pastures above Blue River Canyon, Hinkle Spring Trail No. 30 is a gateway to a seldom-seen tour of one of the most remote areas of eastern Arizona. The trail, which is still used to drive cattle from the canyon floor to rim-top grazing areas, has some faint, difficult-to-follow segments marked only by tree blazes and occasional rock cairns. This provides a good excuse to slow down and savor the sights. Ducking in and out of canyons and forests, the upper portion of the trail features outstanding views of the eastern reaches of the Blue Range Primitive Area. Hikers will encounter a few steep switchbacks and fallen trees before reaching the reliable waters and corral of Hinkle Spring, the turnaround point for this trip. Some route-finding is required.

Length: 9 miles roundtrip
Rating: moderate
Elevation: 5,700-7,220 feet
Driving distance from Phoenix: 280 miles one-way
Getting there: From Alpine, drive 3.5 miles east on Highway 180 to Blue River Road (aka Country Road 2104 or Forest Road 281). Go south on this good dirt road and continue 21.3 miles to the signed trailhead on the left side of the road. Those with a high-clearance vehicle can opt to ford Blue River and park farther up the road.
Information: 928-333-4301, www.fs.fed.us/r3/asnf/

For more great hikes, click here for our Summer Hiking Guide.