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Photography by Mare Czinar
Kendrick Peak |
Whether you’re interested in popular hotspots or hidden gems, Arizona’s amazing mix of high-country hiking trails offers something for everyone. Rife with wildlife encounters, refreshing swimming holes and breathtaking views from atop historic fire towers, these destinations are your best bets for cool summer treks.
July 2009 Hike of the Month
at
Hinkle Spring Trail.
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WEB EXCLUSIVE EXTRAS!Hiking Guide Crib Sheet - What time is the crack of dawn? How hot will it be? Plan accordingly with our list of average summer temps and sunrise/sunset schedules.
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Trail Trash - A guide to litter and how long it takes to decompose.
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HIKE RATING SYSTEMEasy:
These trails are simple to follow, short in length and don’t require a lot of physical stamina. If you’re a regular walker, you should be able to hike an easy trail.
Moderate:
Mid-range in length and elevation change, moderate trails are more challenging to follow and may have segments that require heavy physical exertion.
Difficult:
Only experienced hikers with good equipment and solid outdoor survival skills should attempt difficult trails.
DOG RATING SYSTEM***BestAn abundance of water, interesting stuff to sniff and explore, easy-on-the-pads terrain and packs of other dogs to play with make these trails top-notch doggie destinations.
**GoodMore challenging, longer and rougher, these hikes may put too much strain on older or inexperienced dogs.
*FairOnly the most physically fit, booty-equipped dogs should attempt these “ruff” trails.
FIRE TOWERS
KENDRICK PEAKKaibab National ForestIn summer, wild roses and high-altitude flowers perfume the cool air on Flagstaff’s second highest volcano. The Kendrick Peak trail was moderately affected by the 2000 Pumpkin Fire, which charred 15,000 acres of wilderness, and the colorful blooms stand in stark contrast to the patches of eerie black matchsticks that look as if they had been extinguished in a volcanic holocaust.
Most of the trail remains pristine and wonderfully varied, passing through pine forests, fern gullies, aspens and alpine meadows. Near the summit sits a one-room log cabin, erected in 1911 to accommodate fire lookout workers. It makes an interesting detour before tackling the series of switchbacks that lead to the fire tower atop the 10,418-foot mountain.
Usually staffed by the U.S. Forest Service during the summer fire season, the tower is open to visitors. A stroll around the structure’s rickety metal catwalk commands bird’s-eye views that transcend the blackened forests below and stretch into the hazy ocher deserts of Utah on the northern horizon.
HIGHLIGHTS: outstanding views of the highlands surrounding Flagstaff
LENGTH: 9.2 miles roundtrip
ELEVATION: 7,980-10,400 feet
RATING: moderate
DOG RATING: **
DISTANCE FROM PHOENIX: 175 miles
GETTING THERE: From Flagstaff, drive north on US Highway 180 to Forest Road 245 (near milepost 230). Follow FR 245 for 3 miles to the junction with Forest Road 171, turn right, and follow the signs for 3 more miles to the trailhead. A high-clearance vehicle is recommended.
INFO: 928-635-8200,
www.fs.fed.us/r3/kai/recreation/trails/wil_kendrick.shtml |
Smith Ravine
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SMITH RAVINE
Prescott National ForestThere are no spruce trees on Spruce Mountain. The elegant conifers with blue-green needles that line the mountain’s eastern flank are actually white firs that were misidentified by early explorers. Smith Ravine Trail No. 297 leads to the Spruce Mountain fire tower, where you’ll find panoramic views of the blue lakes and green forests of Prescott Valley. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the 30-foot-tall cabin was constructed in 1936 to keep watch over the Bradshaw Mountains.
One of several paths that leads to the tower, trail No. 297 begins in an area recently destroyed by a wildfire. After roughly half a mile, the trail leaves the fire-damaged hillsides and dips into Smith Ravine, a deeply wooded drainage cluttered with pines and a smattering of velvet ash and thin leaf alders. The official trail ends at the 3-mile point, where it intersects Forest Road 52A. From here, go left and follow the dirt road for 1.4 miles to the lookout tower.
HIGHLIGHTS: historic lookout tower, great views of Prescott Valley
LENGTH: 8.5 miles roundtrip
ELEVATION: 6,200-7,693 feet
RATING: moderate
DOG RATING:**
DISTANCE FROM PHOENIX: 120 miles
GETTING THERE: From Phoenix, go north on Interstate 17 to Exit 262 for State Highway 69. Go west (toward Prescott) on Highway 69 to Walker Road (County Road 57, which is just past the Costco center). Follow Walker Road south for 5.7 miles to the Smith Ravine trailhead at milepost 5 on the right side of the road.
INFO: 928-443-8000,
www.fs.fed.us/r3/prescott/recreation/trails/pdf/rec_trai_b_smra297.pdf |
Hutch Mountain
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HUTCH MOUNTAIN Coconino National ForestA quiet little place with a surprisingly in-your-face outdoor experience, the Hutch Mountain trail showcases amazing views of Northern Arizona’s plateau country. This adventure consists of two parts: the visit to the tower and the trail hike.
To find the trail, start at the gate near the parking area and hike up the dirt road for .12 miles to a point where the road curves sharply to the right. From here, you’ll see the unmarked trail heading downhill. Along the trail, big views of Anderson Mesa dominate the first half-mile before the steep, narrow path dips into a shadowy canyon embellished with rich red earth and bold green swaths of undergrowth splattered with blood-red berries and lemony daisies.
The path ends at Gooseberry Springs campsite, a grassy depression in an airy mountain valley where a spring flows nearly year-round. To visit the tower, hike back up the trail to the main road, go left and continue uphill. Built in 1936, the 31-foot-tall tower hovers over a blanket of close-knit forests of fir, spruce and pine trees that melt into northern Arizona’s volcanic highlands.
HIGHLIGHTS: historic fire tower, epic views
LENGTH: 4 miles roundtrip
ELEVATION: 8,000-8,535 feet
RATING: moderate
DOG RATING:***
DISTANCE FROM PHOENIX: 180 miles
GETTING THERE: From Phoenix, go north on Interstate 17 to Exit 339 (Lake Mary Road). Go south on Lake Mary Road for 33 miles to Forest Road 135 near milepost 311. Go 2.6 miles on FR 135, bear left at an unsigned junction and then left again onto Forest Road 135B. Go 2 miles on FR 135B to the parking area, where an access gate sometimes bars vehicles from driving to the tower. No worries, though. Hikers can continue beyond the gate on foot. A high-clearance vehicle is required.
INFO: 928-526-0866,
www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/recreation/mormon_lake/index.shtmlGADDES CANYONPrescott National ForestFrom its mountaintop vantage point, Mingus Mountain Lookout tower watches over the Verde River Valley and ore-rich hillsides above the town of Jerome. Cool winds from surrounding canyons clamor up the slopes and whip around the guy wires that strain to steady the groaning metal structure piercing the clouds. A web of rickety metal stairs leads to the Depression-era cabin atop the 60-foot-tall fire tower. Beneath the tower, a tiny bunkhouse serves as a cozy refuge for Forest Service workers.
Although there are many ways to get to this lookout, the most scenic approach is via Gaddes Canyon Trail No. 110. Mostly canyon-bound, the trail crawls up the eastern slopes of Mingus Mountain, ducking in and out of forests of juniper and scrub oak. Numerous rocky ledges teetering over vertical canyon walls emerge from the timberlands at every turn. On the summit, a picnic table in the midst of blooming Buffalo Bur and New Mexico yellow flax provides a relaxing lunch spot.
HIGHLIGHTS: historic fire tower, pine forests, river valley views
LENGTH: 5.2 miles roundtrip
ELEVATION: 6,773-7,743 feet
RATING: moderate
DOG RATING:**
DISTANCE FROM PHOENIX: 145 miles
GETTING THERE: From Prescott, follow State Highway 89A north for 25 miles to Mingus Mountain Road (Forest Road 104). Turn right and continue 1.5 miles to Allen Springs Road (Forest Road 413). Continue on FR 413 for 3 miles to the signed trailhead.
INFO: 928-777-2200,
www.fs.fed.us/r3/prescott/recreation/trails/verde/gaddescan110.shtmlFIRE TOWER ETIQUETTE•
GET PERMISSION: Always wait to be verbally invited or waved up by the fire lookout attendant before climbing a tower.
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BE SAFE: If feasible, leave backpacks and other gear at the base of the tower and wear sturdy footwear to avoid slipping on the way up.
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OBSERVE LIMITS: Most towers limit the number of guests allowed at one time.
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DON’T GATE-CRASH: Never hop a gate or climb a tower if a lookout is not on duty.
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HANDS OFF: If the nifty instruments in the tower enthrall you, ask for a demonstration. Never touch objects without permission.
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LEARN SOMETHING: Get the most out of your visit by asking the ranger or lookout to share his or her knowledge about the surrounding forests. Some lookouts also have information on fire safety, area trails and sometimes keep a cache of trinkets for kids.
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OBSERVE & OBEY: Remember that the fire lookouts are on duty, so respect their instructions at all times.
BACKWOODS CREEKS |
Hunter Creek
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HUNTER CREEK
Tonto National ForestThose in search of solitude will appreciate this off-the-beaten-path stroll along a trickling waterway embellished with sun-dappled meadows. To find Hunter Creek, hike uphill from the parking area, pass a gate and drop into the streambed. To make your return trip easier, mark your entry point, as it’s easy to miss on the way out. Once at the creek, head right (southwest) and follow the babbling brook, taking time to explore terraced waterfalls, a spring and a crumbling stone foundation. This also is a good place to test your animal track identification skills, as dozens of footprints clutter the stream’s muddy margins.
HIGHLIGHTS: seldom-visited, creekside ramble
LENGTH: 2.5 miles roundtrip
ELEVATION: 6,100-6,160 feet
RATING: easy
DOG RATING:***
DISTANCE FROM PHOENIX: 125 miles
GETTING THERE: From Payson, go east on State Highway 260 for 25 miles to Colcord Road (Forest Road 291). Go right and continue .3 miles and park on an unmarked dirt road on the right where there’s a barbed-wire gate visible roughly 40 yards farther up the road.
INFO: 602-225-5200,
www.fs.fed.us/r3/tonto/home.shtml |
| Wildcat Spring |
WILDCAT SPRINGCoconino National Forest
Lavishly overgrown with gigantic ferns, the Wildcat Spring trail explores an idyllic high-country ravine. The route melds sections of old dirt roads and footpaths that trace the flow of a damp drainage. Attractions along the way include fossil-encrusted limestone rock formations – remnants of the area’s underwater past – and an outrageous display of wildflowers, including red cinquefoil, New Mexico checker mallow and thistles sprouting among massive clumps of emerald brackens. Near the end of the trail, the source of the area’s life-giving moisture is revealed at a dilapidated concrete trough built into a hillside to collect the sporadic waters of Wildcat Spring.
HIGHLIGHTS: earthy forest, trickling creek, abundant wildflowers, old spring
LENGTH: 3 miles roundtrip
ELEVATION: 6,900-7,100 feet
RATING: easy
DOG RATING:***
DISTANCE FROM PHOENIX: 135 miles
GETTING THERE: From Payson, go north on State Highway 87 for 32 miles to Forest Road 616, which is located past milepost 284 on the left. Follow FR 616 for 3.3 miles to an unsigned campground downhill on the right. The hike starts on the west side of FR 616 at a gate across from the campground.
INFO: 928-527-3600,
www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino |
| East Chevelon Creek |
EAST CHEVELON CREEK
Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests
The trickling creek and shallow pools of water in the bottom of Chevelon Canyon feed a lush forest teeming with plant and animal life. Elk, wild turkey, beavers, blue herons, eagles and even the occasional bear can be spotted snacking on wild berries and succulent grasses in this pristine shallow valley. Even though it’s located near the bustling Woods Canyon Lake campground on the Mogollon Rim, this trail has a distinctively “wild” flavor.
To find the route, walk down to the lake from the Spillway Campground. Once at the water, head east (right) at the earthen dam, scramble down the embankment, pick up one of the fishermen’s dirt paths and stroll into the canyon. Along the first half-mile, the path is clear but is soon swallowed up by enormous pine trees and dense riparian vegetation, including healthy clumps of False Hellebore. To stay on course, simply pick your way along the banks of the creek using fallen trees and rocks to hop over the water as needed.
Casual hikers easily can trek 2 miles into the canyon to where the creek intersects Woods Canyon. Because exploration beyond this point requires expert navigational skills, most day hikers make the junction their turnaround point.
HIGHLIGHTS: densely wooded creek canyon with abundant wildlife
LENGTH: 4 miles roundtrip
ELEVATION: 6,100-6,300 feet
RATING: easy to moderate
DOG RATING:***
DISTANCE FROM PHOENIX: 137 miles
GETTING THERE: From Payson, travel east on State Highway 260 for 32 miles to Rim Road (Forest Road 300) just past milepost 282. Turn left onto FR 300 and continue 3.5 miles to Woods Canyon Lake Road (Forest Road 105). Go right and continue 1.5 miles, bearing right at a fork and park in the Spillway Day Use parking lot.
INFO: 928-535-4481,
www.fs.fed.us/r3/asnf |
| Pivot Rock Canyon |
PIVOT ROCK CANYONCoconino National ForestSkeptics take note: Arizona does indeed have its own rainforest. As unlikely as that may sound, a hike through the commanding, moisture-laden vegetation that drapes the Pivot Rock Canyon trail in an electric palette of green provides ample supporting evidence. The dew-stippled trail is unmarked but fairly easy to follow. The trickiest part comes at the quarter-mile point where a set of stony stairs leads down to the creek. The next 1.2 miles traverse a tangled, jungle-like setting, crisscrossing the shallow creek on its way to a sun-speckled pasture where log cabin remnants beckon visitors.
Beyond the old homestead, the trail transitions into a maze of plant and geological obstacles. However, with basic route-finding skills, bushwhacking and boulder-hopping, it’s possible to continue for another 3.5 miles to where the trail ends at Forest Road 142.
HIGHLIGHTS: an unforgettable trip through an Arizona rainforest
LENGTH: 3 miles roundtrip
ELEVATION: 6,790-6,900 feet
RATING: easy
DOG RATING:***
DISTANCE FROM PHOENIX: 135 miles
GETTING THERE: From Payson, go north on State Highway 87 for 32 miles to Forest Road 616, which is located past milepost 284 on the left. Follow FR 616 for 3.3 miles to an unsigned campground downhill on the right. The hike starts at the north end of the campground at the blocked road.
INFO: 928-527-3600,
www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconinoMOUNTAIN-CANYON LOOPS |
| Yeager Canyon Loop |
YEAGER CANYON LOOPPrescott National ForestThree trails along the southern slopes of Mingus Mountain link up for a picturesque route above Prescott Valley. In order to get the tough climbing out of the way, it’s best to hike clockwise.
From the trailhead, head down into the piñon- and juniper-dotted drainage and hang a left to pick up Yeager Canyon Trail No. 28, which parallels State Highway 89 for a short stretch before angling east along exposed ridgelines. At the 2-mile point, veer right at a three-way intersection, continue a few yards on an old dirt road and look for the (easy-to-miss) sign for Yeager Cabin Trail No. 111 on the right.
Here, the trail drops into a densely forested side canyon where water can usually be found in the low-lying ravines after summer storms. Trail No. 111 continues for 1.9 miles to Allen Springs Road. Here, turn right onto the road and hike about a quarter-mile to Little Yeager Canyon Trail No. 533 on the right. This final segment showcases clusters of blooming shrubs against a backdrop of wide-angle mountain vistas.
HIGHLIGHTS: expansive views of Prescott Valley
LENGTH: 6-mile loop
ELEVATION: 6,000-7,200 feet
RATING: moderate
DOG RATING:**
DISTANCE FROM PHOENIX: 125 miles
GETTING THERE: From Prescott, go east on State Highway 89A for 10 miles to an unmarked dirt turnout on the right side of the road. The parking area is near a road sign that states: “Flagstaff 69, Jerome 10.”
INFO: 928-567-4121,
www.fs.fed.us/r3/prescott/index.shtmlEAST CABIN LOOP CIRCUITCoconino National ForestStream-filled canyons, substantial timberlands, flowing springs and three sites where the ruins of decommissioned Forest Service cabins stand in aspen-framed alpine meadows combine for an especially interesting hike. This route uses three of the five trails that make up the Coconino National Forest’s Cabin Loop System of old fire roads and shelters. Not for amateurs, this hike requires a fair amount of map-reading and route-finding skills. The trail is marked by tree blazes – pairs of short and long gashes in the bark of trees. To stay on track, trek from one blaze to the next.
HIGHLIGHTS: creeks, canyons, springs and historic ruins
LENGTH: 18-mile loop
ELEVATION: 7,000-7,500 feet
RATING: moderate
DOG RATING:**
DISTANCE FROM PHOENIX: 157 miles
GETTING THERE: From Payson, go east on State Highway 260 for 30 miles to Rim Road (Forest Road 300) just past milepost 282. Turn left on FR 300 and drive 23 miles to Forest Road 137. Turn right onto FR 137 and go 4 miles to the sign for Barbershop Trail on the left side of the road across from Buck Springs Cabin.
HIKE DIRECTIONS: Begin on Barbershop Trail No. 91, which is located across the road from Buck Springs Cabin. Follow this for a half-mile to U-Bar Trail No. 28, go right (north) and continue 7.6 miles to the Houston Brothers Trail No. 18 junction near Pinchot Cabin. From here, go left (south) and follow No. 18 for 7.5 miles back to trail No. 91, go left (east) and hike 4 miles back to the trailhead. See the Forest Service map for other loop and day hike options.
INFO: 928-527-3600,
www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconinoSWIMMING HOLES
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| "The Pools" |
“THE POOLS”Catalina State ParkHemmed in by the stony slopes of the Santa Catalina Mountains, Romero Canyon Trail No. 8 zigzags uphill through the classic high-desert terrain of Tucson’s “sky island” peaks. At the 3-mile point, the ocotillo-, creosote- and palo verde-studded hillsides give way to an oasis of waterfalls and swimming holes scoured out of Precambrian rock imbedded with streaks of glimmering quartz. Here, the perennial waters of the Romero Pools foster a green zone of riparian plant life. A tangle of moisture-loving plants – including cattails, cottonwood and velvet ash – flourish in the canyon’s drainage, providing a cool and shady respite from the desert heat. It’s smart to hike this one early in the day to avoid the brutal afternoon sun.
HIGHLIGHTS: pockets of cool water and riparian vegetation in the middle of the high desert
LENGTH: 6 miles roundtrip
ELEVATION: 2,700-3,600 feet
RATING: moderate
DOG RATING: Dogs are not allowed in the pools.
DISTANCE FROM PHOENIX: 130 miles
GETTING THERE: From Phoenix, travel south on Interstate 10 to Exit 240 (Tangerine Road). Continue 13.5 miles to the stoplight at Oracle Road (State Highway 77), go right (south) and follow the signs to the park entrance near milepost 81. Once inside the park, follow the main road 1.5 miles to the Romero Canyon trailhead.
INFO: 520-628-5798,
azstateparks.com/Parks/CATA/index.htmlFEE: $6 day-use fee per vehicle
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| "The Box" |
“THE BOX”Christopher Creek CanyonThere’s always a lot of whoopin’ and hollerin’ at this favorite summertime swimming hole, where the scene on any given weekend is a collision of Andy Griffith-esque country charm and a more hardcore Nine Inch Nails crowd. Cooler-toting baby boomers in plaid Bermuda shorts and white socks mingle with young people in butt-crack-bearing swim trunks to cool off in the clear water and fresh, pine-scented air of Christopher Creek Canyon. For millions of years, the spring-fed waters of Christopher Creek that spill from the base of the Mogollon Rim have sculpted the rose-tinted ramparts that flank the gorge and funnel water into slippery chutes, churning rapids and low-flow channels awash in swirls of pine needles.
The most spectacular section of the gorge is less than a mile in length and can be fully explored by those who don’t mind boulder-hopping, minor hand-over-foot climbing, wading and swimming. However, most of the action takes place at the head of the canyon where the sun-warmed escarpments fill up quickly with sunbathers and weekend warriors. So, if you’re looking for solitude, try visiting on a Tuesday.
HIGHLIGHTS: canyon-bound outdoor “spa”
LENGTH: 1.25 miles roundtrip
ELEVATION: 5,400-5,680 feet
RATING: moderate-difficult
DOG RATING:***
DISTANCE FROM PHOENIX: 120 miles
GETTING THERE: From Payson, go east on State Highway 260 for 19 miles. Between mileposts 271 and 272, look for a dirt turnoff on the south (right) side of the road. Watch that rut!
INFO: Refer to the Tonto National Forest map at
www.fs.fed.us/r3/tonto/maps.
DOWN ON THE BLUELosing touch with your inner wild child? A hiking expedition to the Blue Range Primitive Area just might help you reconnect. Spanning 173,762 acres of some of Arizona’s most remote, untouched lands, “the Blue” is an isolated pocket of raw beauty where the state’s only packs of Mexican gray wolves roam wild and free.
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| S-Canyon |
S-CANYONBlue Range Primitive AreaThe Blue Range Primitive Area is the last of its kind. Set aside in the 1930s by the Forest Service along with 75 other areas in the United States to “maintain primitive areas of transportation, habitation and subsistence,” the Blue (as it’s referred to by locals) is the only area that has not been absorbed into the current Wilderness Preservation System. Although managed by the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests as a wilderness area, the Blue retains its strikingly primitive character.
Situated at the easternmost edge of the Mogollon Rim near the New Mexico border, the S-Canyon trail provides a tour of the outlandish diversity and breathtaking beauty of this remote and seldom-visited area. The hike begins at the bottom of Blue River Canyon, following the water briefly before heading uphill. The environment gradually transitions from riverside greenery to sun-washed ledges surrounded by low-growing junipers before ending at the Cow Flat trail junction in a forest of aspens and firs.
HIGHLIGHTS: amazing route through the nation’s last remaining primitive area
LENGTH: 11 miles roundtrip
ELEVATION: 5,680-7,600 feet
RATING: moderate
DOG RATING:**
DISTANCE FROM PHOENIX: 270 miles
GETTING THERE: From Alpine, go east on US Highway 180 to Blue River Road (also shown as Country Road 2104 and Forest Road 281 on some maps). Follow Blue River Road for 23 miles to the signed Blue Camp trailhead on the left side of the road.
INFO: 928-339-5000,
www.fs.fed.us/r3/asnf/recreation/alpine_trails/index.shtml |
| Red Hill |
RED HILL
Blue Range Primitive AreaThis ambitious hike into the heart of the Blue Range Primitive Area makes for a magnificent expedition into a wonderland of rugged canyons, contorted rock formations and bountiful wildlife. The trail can be accessed from either Blue River Road at the bottom of the canyon or from the Mogollon Rim off of US Highway 191, making it a good candidate for a car shuttle hike. From the upper trailhead, the route is typical of trails in this area: primitive.
Fallen trees, overgrown brush and exposed benches where the trail seems to disappear make staying on track an adventure in itself. However, with good map and compass skills, experienced hikers will have little trouble navigating since landmarks such as Red Bluff, Foote Creek and Blue River Canyon stand out along the way.
Much of the trail hugs the edge of steep canyon walls and stony outcroppings where vista views stretch all the way to New Mexico.
Near the 10-mile point, the trail (No. 56) terminates at Tutt Hill Trail No. 105. To reach the lower trailhead, hang a left from here and follow trail No. 105 and then Forest Road 567P for 1 mile to Red Hill Road. Go right (downhill) to Blue Crossing Campground. The icing on the cake for this hike is a collection of petroglyphs located beyond the gate at the north end of the campground.
HIGHLIGHTS: epic views, interesting rock formations, petroglyphs
LENGTH: 10 miles one way
ELEVATION: 5,790-8,000 feet
RATING: difficult
DOG RATING:*
DISTANCE FROM PHOENIX: 265 miles
GETTING THERE (upper trailhead): From Alpine, drive 14 miles south on US Highway 191 to Red Hill Road (Forest Road 567). Follow FR 567 for 1 mile to Forest Road 567B, which is marked by a “Red Hill Trail” sign. Turn right and go a half-mile to the signed trailhead.
GETTING THERE (lower trailhead): From Alpine, drive 3.5 miles east on US Highway 180 to Blue River Road (also called Country Road 2104 or Forest Road 281). Go south on this good dirt road and continue 20 miles to Forest Road 567 (Red Hill Road). Turn right, cross the river (usually shallow) and follow the signs to Blue Crossing Campground. There are no fees at the campground.
INFO: 928-339-5000,
www.publiclands.org/explore/site.php?id=9-40&PHPSESSID=23cfeb7c9Bonus “BLUE” Hike: see
Hinkle Spring, Hike of the Month
NEAR GREER |
| East Fork Trail |
EAST FORK TRAILApache-Sitgreave National ForestsThe thin air above the town of Greer may get your lungs pumping, but it’s the views of Arizona’s White Mountains that really will take your breath away. This alpine passage begins where the west and east forks of the Little Colorado River drift off in opposite directions under a canopy of streamside alders and willows. After an immediate wade across the West Fork, a short but steep haul up to the 9,200-foot Amberon Point marks the most difficult portion of the hike.
With the only major uphill grind of the hike out of the way, it becomes much easier to take in the relaxing alpine scenery that characterizes the remainder of the trail. Roughly paralleling the East Fork of the Little Colorado River, trail No. 95 meanders through a checkerboard of cienegas – marshy wetlands fed by springs, seeps and drainages – that creates acres of waist-high grasses and a colorful mix of flowering plants. Because of the vigorous vegetation in the cienegas, it’s easy to veer off track; look for strategically placed trail posts to stay on course.
Near the end of the route, the path follows the remnants of the Maverick Line of the Apache Railway, which was used from the 1940s to the 1970s to transport logs to the McNary lumber mill. This final cinder-strewn segment of open country passes the Colter reservoir before terminating at the Gabaldon campground at the boundary of Mount Baldy Wilderness.
HIGHLIGHTS: crisp, high-altitude mountain air with sweet vista views
LENGTH: 15 miles roundtrip
ELEVATION: 8,300-9,400 feet
RATING: moderate
DOG RATING:***
DISTANCE FROM PHOENIX: 245 miles
GETTING THERE: From the stoplight in Eagar, go west on State Highway 260 for 9.6 miles to State Highway 373. Go south (left) on 373 and continue 5.5 miles to the signed trailhead on the left.
INFO: 928-333-4301,
www.fs.fed.us/r3/asnf/recreation/sprgrvlle_trails/trl_spr_efork.shtml
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Butler Canyon
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BUTLER CANYONApache-Sitgreaves National ForestsEver wonder how long it takes for a log to decompose? Want to learn how to identify Bearberry honeysuckle? These are just two examples of what you can learn on Butler Canyon Trail No. 98. Informational signage and a booklet available at the trailhead kiosk can be used to navigate through the many points of interest along this easy loop trail.
HIGHLIGHTS: easy, educational hike in the White Mountains
LENGTH: 1-mile loop
ELEVATION: 8,300-8,400 feet
RATING: easy
DOG RATING:**
DISTANCE FROM PHOENIX: 240 miles
GETTING THERE: From the stoplight in Eagar, go west on State Highway 260 for 9.6 miles to State Highway 373. Turn south (left) and go 4 miles on State Highway 373 to County Road 1121. Turn left and continue a short distance to the signed trailhead on the left.
INFO: 928-333-4301,
www.fs.fed.us/r3/asnf/recreation/sprgrvlle_trails/trl_spr_butler.shtml; contact the ranger station about scheduled guided hikes and lectures.
PONDEROSA LOOPSquirrel Spring Recreation AreaFed by three gurgling mountain streams and located adjacent to several campgrounds, Squirrel Spring Recreation Area is a popular, year-round playground with ample parking, picnic tables and restrooms. With more than 14 miles of multi-use trails, this destination offers easy hiking among gigantic Ponderosa pines, bramble-choked creeks and glades. A good introduction to this trail system is the Ponderosa Trail No. 2. The path wanders through a grassy-green valley enveloped by rolling hillsides and abrupt, stony escarpments.
The route is somewhat befuddling, so here’s the plan: From behind the trailhead kiosk, walk a quarter-mile on the wide, old road to a large metal gate. Pass through the gate and continue uphill to a junction at roughly the 1.5-mile point. Stay on trail No. 2. The trickiest intersection comes at mile 1.7, where there’s a small “No. 2” sign posted on a tree to the left. Here’s where you’ll leave the wide road and use the blue diamond symbols as your guide to complete the loop.
HIGHLIGHTS: easy hiking with lots of greenery and nearby campgrounds
LENGTH: 3.5-mile loop
ELEVATION: 8,300-8,700 feet
RATING: easy
DOG RATING:***
DISTANCE FROM PHOENIX: 237 miles
GETTING THERE: From the stoplight in Eagar, go west on State Highway 260 for 9.6 miles to State Highway 373. Go south (left) on 373 and continue 2.2 miles to the Squirrel Spring Recreation Area on the right.
INFO: 928-333-4301,
www.fs.fed.us/r3/asnf/recreation/trails/VOLCANIC LAKES |
Walker Lake
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WALKER LAKECoconino National ForestA photographer’s paradise, this trip to an ephemeral lake is rife with eye candy. Reflecting pools, swarms of butterflies and a carpet of colorful blooms populate the foreground, with the San Francisco Peaks commanding an imposing backdrop. Swaths of wild field mint, daisies, silverweed and New Mexico vervain lace the air with a refreshing herbal aroma.
In the summer, the “lake” shrinks to a patchwork of swamps with clumps of smartweed lilies bobbing on the surface. The rim of the cinder cone forms a high fortress around the lake, giving a real sense of what it’s like being inside a volcanic crater.
To add length to the hike, scramble up to the crater’s rim with a pair of binoculars to scope out the elk, deer, bear, porcupines and prairie dogs that frequent this reliable water source.
HIGHLIGHTS: large volcanic lake, wildlife and mountain views
LENGTH: 1 mile roundtrip
ELEVATION: 8,060-8,189 feet
RATING: easy
DOG RATING:***
DISTANCE FROM PHOENIX: 175 miles
GETTING THERE: From Flagstaff, go north on State Highway 180 for 19 miles to the northern exit for Forest Road 151 (Hart Prairie Road) just past milepost 235. Turn right and continue 1.6 miles on the good dirt road to Forest Road 418. Turn left and go .2 miles to the second road on the left (across from a log cabin). Go left onto this unmarked dirt road, continue a short distance to a three-way roundabout and then go right to the circular parking area. The trail begins at the “road closed” sign in the northwest end of the parking area.
INFO: 928-526-0866, or refer to the Coconino National Forest map at
www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/maps/index.shtml |
Bismarck Lake
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BISMARCK LAKECoconino National ForestThe high-country bog known as Bismarck Lake is all that remains of an ancient volcanic crater in the watershed of Arizona’s highest peaks. The lake’s volume expands and contracts, often receding to a wildflower-choked wetland by mid-summer. The trail that leads to the lake passes through a canopy of delicate aspens, old-growth Ponderosa pines and willows that attract more than 40 species of birds and countless critters. At the 1-mile point, in the middle of a windswept prairie, turn left at a signed junction to visit the lake. Here, abundant sunlight bathes fields of yarrow, lupines and a variety of mushrooms.
HIGHLIGHTS: volcanic lake, alpine meadows and pine forests LENGTH: 2 miles roundtrip
ELEVATION: 8,550-8,800 feet
RATING: easy
DOG RATING:***
DISTANCE FROM PHOENIX: 160 miles
GETTING THERE: From Flagstaff, go north on State Highway 180 for 10 miles to Hart Prairie Road (Forest Road 151) near milepost 225. Turn right and continue 5.6 miles to Bismarck Lake Road (Forest Road 627), turn right and go .6 miles to the trailhead.
INFO: 928-526-0866, or refer to the Coconino National Forest map at
www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/maps/index.shtmlKID FRIENDLY
FLOWING SPRINGSTonto National ForestSand, sycamores and limestone escarpments along this informal fisherman’s path make for an easy day hike with plenty to explore. Adventures await both up- and downstream – just pick a direction and start hiking along the water. Although it’s short in length, long stretches of soft sand along the banks of the East Verde River give those quads a satisfying workout. With access to campgrounds and restrooms, this trail is a favorite destination for those with tots in tow.
HIGHLIGHTS: scenic water hike with kid-friendly facilities
LENGTH: 2 miles roundtrip
ELEVATION: 4,460-4,500 feet
RATING: easy
DOG RATING:***
DISTANCE FROM PHOENIX: 108 miles one way
GETTING THERE: From the junction of State Highways 87 and 260 in Payson, go north on Highway 87 for 4.6 miles to Flowing Springs Road, turn right and continue for a half-mile to the parking area on the left.
INFO: 928-474-7900,
www.fs.fed.us/r3/tonto/recreation/rogs/camping/Payson/FlowingSprings.pdf
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Kendrick Park
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KENDRICK PARK
Coconino National ForestOne of the best places in the world to see long-tailed weasels poking around in abandoned potato fields, the Kendrick Park Watchable Wildlife Trail is as much an educational experience as it is a fun hike. Two loop trails guide visitors through shaded glens that bump up against expansive plains full of foraging beasts and swooping raptors. Interpretive signs along the trails provide a substantial dose of education about the resident flora and fauna, while accessible restrooms and paved access roads earn points in the family-friendly category.
HIGHLIGHTS: accessible, short hiking trails with educational signage
LENGTH: .25- and 1.5-mile loops
ELEVATION: 7,900 feet
RATING: easy
DOG RATING: Dogs on leashes are permitted; however, if your goal is to see wildlife, it’s best to leave Fido at home.
DISTANCE FROM PHOENIX: 166 miles
GETTING THERE: From Flagstaff, go north on State Highway 180 for 20 miles. The trailhead is located between mileposts 235 and 236 on the west side of the road.
INFO: 928-526-0866,
www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/recreation/peaks/kendrick-watchable.shtml
ESSENTIAL RESOURCESThere’s nothing worse than having hiking plans thwarted by weather, wildfires, road obstacles, trail closures or wildlife encounters gone wrong, so check with the appropriate agencies before heading out for a hike.
ROAD CONDITIONSContact the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) for up-to-date road closures and restriction information. Visit az511.com or dial 511 from any cell phone. You can also call 888-411-ROAD (7623).
FIRE RESTRICTIONSFor general information on fire activity and restrictions, call the Arizona & New Mexico Wildfire Hotline at 877-864-6985 or visit nifc.gov.
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICEFor up-to-the-minute, accurate weather forecasts and lots of meteorological information, visit weather.gov.
LIGHTNING SAFETYwww.lightningsafety.noaa.-gov/outdoors.htm
MEXICAN WOLF RECOVERY PROGRAMfws.gov/southwest/es/mexicanwolf/ or mexicanwolves.org
HIKING WITH DOGSFor a comprehensive resource for hiking with dogs, visit the Canine Hiking Club of Arizona at mydog8az.com/k9hike.html or e-mail jdeben@hotmail.com.
LEAVE NO TRACE OUTDOOR ETHICSVisit lnt.org or call 800-332-4100.
ARIZONA FIRE LOOKOUTSfirelookout.org/towers/az/-az.htm
NATIONAL FOREST SERVICEFor information about trail access, maps, restrictions and closures:
APACHE-SITGREAVES NATIONAL FORESTS Visit www.fs.fed.us/r3/asnf or call 928-333-4301.
BEAR SAFETY INFORMATIONbebearawaresw.org
COCONINO NATIONAL FOREST Visit www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino or call 928-527-3600. For information about the Red Rock Pass program and a list of vendors that sell the passes, visit redrockcountry.-org or call 928-282-4119.
CORONADO NATIONAL FORESTVisit www.fs.fed.us/r3/coronado/ or call 520-388-8300.
KAIBOB NATIONAL FORESTVisit www.fs.fed.us/r3/kai or call 928-635-8200.
PRESCOTT NATIONAL FORESTVisit www.fs.fed.us/r3/-prescott or call 928-443-8000.
TONTO NATIONAL FOREST Visit www.fs.fed.us/r3/tonto or call 602-225-5200.