COLONEL DEVIN TRAIL #290

COLONEL DEVIN TRAIL #290

View from near the top of Col. Devin Trail.

For casual travelers, the East Verde River is synonymous with water play destinations along Houston Mesa Road north of Payson. The Water Wheel, First, Second and Third Crossing recreation sites offer walk-up access to the canyon-bound water course.

The trail ascends through the E. Verde River watershed.

A tributary of the mighty Verde River, the slim waterway begins as trickling springs that emanate from rugged escarpments below the Mogollon Rim.

Boxelder trees thrive along the E. Verde River.

Bigtooth maple leafs float in the E. Verde River

The river’s enchanting watershed area can be explored by way of the Colonel Devin Trail #290 that follows its course from Washington Park to the springs that feed it.

Named for Colonel Thomas C. Devin who used the route for military endeavors in the 1880s, the dirt trail that alternates between a rutted two track and slender path also makes up the last two miles of Highline Passage of the Arizona Trail.

A typical scene on the lower part of Col. Devin Trail.

Col. Devin Trail is part of the Arizona Trail.

The route’s proximity to the river and its drainages makes for a shady trek best done in fall or spring when water levels peak and foliage is at its most beautiful.

Although the forest service rates this hike as difficult, just about anybody can manage the first mile. Adding to the hike’s many natural attractions, the trail is bookended with tributes the area’s human history.  At the Washington Park trailhead, the hike begins at an informational kiosk with plaques that describe  past military operations, pioneers and economic development.

Trail sign near Rim Road.

White watercress grow in a drainage that feeds the E. Verde.

Take a moment to read the posters to gain an appreciation for the storied past of the territory you’re about to walk through. Beyond the kiosk, the path crosses the first of 4 bridges---two metal spanners constructed by the Arizona Trail Association and two split-log catwalks—that take the jump out of creek crossings.

The trail climbs more than 1000 feet to the top of the Rim.

Railroad Tunnel is an optional & difficult side trip. 

Boxelder trees turn lemony-yellow in autumn.

Tracing the waterway through forests of mixed conifers, maples, boxelders, Gambel oaks and an understory of canyon grape vines and blooming shrubs, the first segment of the hike is a not-too-difficult, visual delight. The sound of waterfalls and cascading rivulets adds a pleasant soundtrack to this leafy stroll. One mile from the trailhead, the route merges with the decommissioned military road and begins its 1000-foot climb to the top of the Mogollon Rim.  The next half-mile is defined by a moderate ascent on the banks above the river where dribbling feeder streams and spring water tumble down to join the main channel. Where water glides across the trail, a smattering of aspens and Arizona sycamores sprout from moist soils and sandy washes.

Deep woods define the first mile.

A bridge built by the AZT Assoc. spans the E. Verde River.

The demanding work begins where the trail makes a sharp right at the Tunnel Trail #390 junction. Enter the elephant in the room: Railroad Tunnel. An optional quarter-mile difficult side trip to a much-hyped, graffiti-spoiled excavation site can be an interesting diversion for history buffs and hikers who enjoy an off-the-wall diversion. Unlike the ore it was to have hauled from the copper-rich mines around the town of Globe, plans by the Arizona Mineral Belt Railroad to bore through the Mogollon Rim for quick transport of the goods to Flagstaff didn’t pan out. The futile 1880s tunnel project went bust and was abandoned, leaving behind mounds of rubble and a dank, 70-foot-deep stone cave that’s been defaced by modern-day vandals. 

The upper trail is steep and rocky.

Unless you’re into visiting quirky bits of Arizona history; skip the gritty climb and continue uphill instead. The final ascent up to Rim Road (Forest Road 300) creeps up a steep, rocky bench passing by some of the springs and seeps that are the source of the East Verde River. These inconspicuous trickles eventually funnel into the Verde and Salt Rivers that converge more than 100 miles south just a few miles east of Phoenix.

The sound of rushing water augments the hike.

AZ sycamore trees thrive in moist areas along the trail.

Major climbing ends at a pair of trail signs just below the road. Although the great views here might make for a satisfying turnaround point, the hike ends a few steps farther up to the road at the Battle of Big Dry Wash historical monument that marks an 1882 clash between the U.S. Army and the Apache Tribe. 

The E. Verde River originates below the Mogollon Rim.

Use this bookend to a scenic and historically-significant trek to either double back or continue north on the Blue Ridge Passage of the Arizona Trail.

Bigtooth maple leaves glow in the sun.

LENGTH: 2 miles one way

RATING: difficult

ELEVATION: 6097 – 7280 feet

GETTING THERE:

Washington Park Trailhead:

From Payson, go 1.7 miles north on State Route 87 to Houston Mesa Road (Forest Road 199), turn right and continue 10 miles the “T” intersection at Control Road (Forest Road 64) in the Whispering Pines community. Turn left, go 0.6-mile and take a right on Forest Road 32.  Go 3.2 miles to Forest Road 32A (sometimes signed as Belluzzi Blvd), turn right and continue 1 mile to the trailhead. From the big Arizona Trail sign, cross the bridge, head left and go right at the trail #290 sign. Roads are maintained dirt suitable for all vehicles. No fees or facilities at the trailhead.

INFO: Tonto National Forest
https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/tonto/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=35617&actid=50

RED ROCK SPRING to GERONIMO TRAILHEAD

RED ROCK SPRING to GERONIMO TRAILHEAD

Tonto National Forest

Red Rock Spring

Water is the life force of the forest. In Arizona, where water is too often in short supply, the forests have some creative ways of storing and distributing the precious liquid. An example of a natural water system can be observed near the base of the Mogollon Rim near Pine. Beneath the imposing, vertical cliffs that mark the edge of the Colorado Plateau, numerous springs provide reliable water sources for wildlife and long distance hikers. The springs are charged when melting snow and rainfall on the 7,000-foot escarpment, soaks through the porous rocks emerging hundreds of feet below as gushing waterfalls (Horton Spring) oozing seeps (Dripping Spring) and trickling fountains like those encountered on a hike from Forest Road 64 to the Geronimo Trailhead. Using Red Rock Trail #294 and part of Highline Trail #31, this customizable, water-themed trek visits two springs and a creek on its way through scrubby foothills and damp, pine-oak woodlands. Trail #294 climbs more than 600 feet on a juniper-shaded, rocky road that uses subtle turns and natural stone staircases to ascend the rugged slopes below the Rim. At the half-mile point, veer right at a rock barricade and pick up the narrower, loose rock path heading skyward. On the way up, glimpses of the Mazatzal Wilderness tease of sweeping vistas to come. With every few feet of elevation gained, the views blossom into ever expanding panoramas of emerald valleys and distant mountains.

Approaching Pine Spring

At the 1-mile point, the trail meets Highline Trail #31 which is also part of the state traversing Arizona Trail Passage #27. With the major climbing done, you can now breath easier and enjoy hiking to the water spots strung out along the route. Red Rock Spring is located a few yards to the left (west) of the junction. It's a beautiful, shaded spot with a concrete trough that usually has water suitable for drinking once its been filtered. From here, hike one mile east (go right at the junction) to Pine Spring. Sheltered among tall pines and whispering maples, this historic site features two antique wooden spring boxes that are no longer effective at trapping the flow. The wayward water runs downhill in lazy rivulets, supporting a ribbon of greenery and a healthy population of Yellow Monkey Flowers growing on a soggy embankment. In a pinch, you could filter some drinking water here, but, don't count on it. The next three miles of the route duck in and out of dark forests and sun exposed, yucca-fringed ledges before coming to the cool waters of spring-fed, Webber Creek near the Geronimo Trailhead. If you're up for more, the Highline Trail continues 8 miles east to the 260 Trailhead while the Arizona Trail turns north at Washington Park on its way to the Utah border.

Mountain views all around

LENGTH: 5 miles one way to Geronimo Trailhead

To Red Rock Spring: 1 miles one way

To Pine Spring: 2 miles one way

RATING: moderate

ELEVATION: 5,390' - 6,050'

GETTING THERE:

Red Rock Spring (west) Trailhead:

From the intersection of State Routes 87/260 in Payson, go 12 miles north on SR 87 to milepost 265 (2 miles north of Tonto Natural Bridge State Park) and turn right on Control Road (Forest Road 64). Continue 2.4 miles to the trailhead on the left. This is easy to miss because the trail sign is located about 30 yards up from the road. There’s no parking lot-- just find a spot in the turnouts along the road. Control Road is maintained dirt suitable for passenger cars.

Highline Trail #31

Geronimo (east) Trailhead:

From the Red Rock trailhead, continue another 3.5 miles on Control Road to Forest Road 440 (Webber Creek Road). Go left (north) on FR 440 and continue 2 miles to the Geronimo trailhead on the right. High clearance is recommended on FR 440.

INFO: Payson Ranger District, Tonto National Forest:

http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/tonto/null/recarea/?recid=35623&actid=50

Arizona Trail Association:

http://www.aztrail.org/passages/pass_27.html

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