LAKE AND RIVER VIEWS
Get seldom-seen views of the Verde River valley and Horseshoe Lake by hiking up 5,204-foot Humboldt Mountain in the Tonto National Forest.
Getting There: From Loop 101 in North Scottsdale, take the Pima Road/Princess Drive exit and go 13 miles north on Pima Road to Cave creek Road. Turn right (east) and continue on Cave Creek Road (aka FR 24 – Seven Springs Road) to Forest Road 562 (Humboldt Mountain Road) located between MCDOT mile markers 9 and 10. The turnoff is easy to miss. It’s on the right and is paved. There’s a “562” sign about 100 feet up the road. Park in the turnouts along FR 24 and FR 562 and hike up FR 562 to the summit. If you get to Seven Springs Recreation Area, you have gone roughly 2 miles too far.
Length: 7.8 miles round trip
Rating: moderate
Kid Friendly: NO
Pet Friendly: NO
Elevation: 3,570-5,204 feet
Best Season: October-April
Photo credit Mare Czinar/PHOENIX
