The Back Roads to Tonto Creek

The Back Roads to Tonto Creek

The pebbly fringe of Tonto Creek north of Roosevelt Lake.

Occupying a few dusty acres between nowhere and Roosevelt Lake, the blink-and-you’ll-miss-it community of Jake’s Corner is a popular waystation for outdoor enthusiasts.

A rustic gate along Forest Road 184D

Its outwardly ramshackle appearance and come-as-you-are ambiance are big draws for anglers, hunters, boaters, bikers and ATV riders.  Sometimes, hikers find the place, too. 

Located 22 miles north of the lake along State Route 188 in Gila County, the iconic watering hole is the northern outpost of a string of RV parks, creeky-floor honky-tonks, bait shops and general stores.

The back roads around Jake's Corner are rough but scenic.

The scenic stretch of SR 188 runs through the Tonto Basin—a drainage gorge that separates the wilds of the Mazatzal Wilderness and the Sierra Ancha Mountains.  Dozens of creeks and streams in the area flow off the foothills into the major course of Tonto Creek which feeds Theodore Roosevelt Reservoir.  Although recreation in this hilly, watery back country usually involves a motorized vehicle, there are plenty of places to hoof it along dirt roads.

Paper Flowers bloom year-round above Tonto Creek. 

Tonto Creek

Other than the state-traversing Arizona Trail which makes a grueling climb through the mountainous terrain to the west, there aren’t many non-motorized routes nearby unless you go 20 miles north to Payson.  But, hiking on shared-trails can be just as enjoyable when common courtesy is applied.  Directly across from Jake’s Corner Bar, a maze of forest roads offer miles of boots-on-the-ground exploratory options.  Like the adjacent community, the walkabouts here harbor no pretense. They are simply-signed and retain a raw, non-nonsense air. Many of the routes are championed by the Tonto Recreation Alliance--a volunteer organization that works with government agencies to maintain and promote off-highway vehicle access and educate recreators about public access issues in the Tonto National Forest.  

Cacti and mesquite frame Mazatzal Mountains views.

One circuit to try is a rough-cut route to Tonto Creek.  From a dirt parking area a half-mile from the bar, follow Forest Road 184A a few yards, then head left at Forest Road 184D. The first mile is a wobbly trek through wide-open high desert with great views of the Mazatzal Mountains.  After a series of dips and climbs on choppy two-tracks, pass a gate at the one-mile point and hike up to a knoll where a faint road curves to the left.

Glimpse of Tonto Creek from the difficult downhill hike.

From this highpoint, head right and continue to the Forest Road 184D/951 junction.  Ahead, to the left, is “hell’s half mile”. 

Mazatzal Mountains on the western horizon.

Primitive FR951 descends nearly 500 feet with take-no-prisoners aggression toward the creek.  A hiking stick is essential to work through the loose rock and uneven trenches.  Expect to pick up some mud and grit on this half-mile plunge. There’s no mercy until the messy road meets the sandy edge of Tonto Creek.

Sycamore and willow saplings grow in flood plains.

Rapids in Tonto Creek.

Lined with cottonwoods, sycamores and willows, this beautiful bend in the creek features white-capped rapids, calm reflecting pools and optional miles of streamside exploring. 

Tiny waterfalls in Tonto Creek.

Take time to watch for waterfowl and spy the footprints of deer, raccoons and bobcats pressed into sandbars before heading back the way you came.

The descent to Tonto Creek is steep and rocky.

Short in miles but with an overall elevation change of 917 feet, the effort warrants a post-hike beer and burger reward at Jake’s. Dressed in dusty boots and trail garb, you’ll blend.

A calm bend in Tonto Creek

A snowy bank where FR951 meets Tonto Creek.

LENGTH: 4 miles round trip

RATING: moderate-difficult

ELEVATION: 2607 – 3101 feet

GETTING THERE:

From State Route 87 (Beeline Highway) south of Rye just past milepost 235, go 3.2 miles south on State Route 188 to the community of Jake’s Corner.

Across from Jake’s Corner Bar, turn left onto Forest Road 184 (not signed) and continue 0.5-mile to Forest Road 184A (utility poles) and park.  Roads are paved and sedan-friendly dirt.

INFO: Tonto Recreation Alliance

http://www.tontorecreationalliance.org/

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SPANISH RUINS

SPANISH RUINS, Mazatzal Wilderness

The mysterious monolith

The town of Payson at the base of the Mogollon Rim is a hiking hot spot with a diverse collection of trails. From creekside rambles (Horton Creek), grueling ascents (See Canyon), pine forest rambles (Highline Trail) and high desert cypress-and-boulder-centric paths of the Payson Area Trails System, there’s something for trekkers of every level. But if you want to hike outside the box; seek out the Payson Packers. The hiking group is a loose-knit, motley band of year-round and seasonal residents with a repertoire of classic and under-the-radar treks.

Hikers make the final scramble to the top.

They’ve been exploring around Rim Country and beyond for nearly 40 years.

Payson Packers working their way up to the ruins

“There are probably about fifty or sixty folks who hike regularly with the Packers,” says Randy Cockrell who leads weekly hikes for the group.  The club’s 250 or so members communicate and plan hikes through an email chain. Even though there’s no club website, it’s not too difficult to find somebody who knows somebody on social media or hiker forums who can get you on the Packer hike invite list.

One of the Packer’s favorite excursions is a hike to the Spanish Ruins, an erroneously-credited Native American historical site. “It's atop a mesa west of Payson and is a lot of dry-stacked stone walls.  None of the experts can agree as to why the place was built, nor who built it,” Cockrell said.  The combination of sweaty exertion, vivid scenery and historical significance make the trek a perennial club destination. “I’ve been to the ruins about seven times and still enjoy taking friends and family there,” Cockrell shared.  “It’s close to town and a great spot for taking cool photos.”

The adventure begins with an 11-mile drive from town that dead-ends at the Doll Baby trailhead in the Mazatzal Wilderness. From the trailhead gate, the destination appears as a sheer, red-tinged plateau.

Randy Cockrell (L) of the Payson Packers at the metates

Although it’s just under two miles to the top, the hike is a steep, slippery slog. To get to the prize, pass the gate at the wilderness sign and begin hiking uphill on the dirt road.  Between gasping for breath and watching your step on the rocky treadway, be sure to look up occasionally to take in views of the cottonwood-lined course of the East Verde River and surrounding juniper-fleeced peaks.

Riparian corridor of the East Verde River

At the 1.4-mile point, go through a barbed wire gate (leave it as you found it) and pick up the narrow footpath on the left.  The next quarter mile plows abruptly uphill through manzanita and wiry scrub to a vertical cliff face where you’ll encounter two boulder obstacles that require hand-over-foot climbs to reach the summit.  From the mesa’s precipitous ledges, 360-degree views coupled with the kind of rush only dizzying, exposed heights can deliver are the hard-earned ROI.  To find the ruins, hike 0.1-mile south among ocotillo and insidious tangles of pants-grabbing cat claw and the haunting images of head-high stacked walls soon appear.

Ruins in the shadow of the Mazatzal Mountains

Although the history of the U-shaped complex is not known for sure, archeologists are certain that it’s not Spanish in origin.  The intricate fortress-like structure was likely built by Native Americans sometime before the 1400s.  With its eastern walls creeping up to a 500-foot drop off and the west side planted into the foothills of the Mazatzal Mountains above water-scoured basins, the purpose of the multi-room structure is a mystery. Jutting from the western wall is a roughly 7-foot-high upright monolith that strikes an arresting profile on the lichen-encrusted fortification. Whether the massive block was part of astronomical, protective, ceremonial or artistic endeavors, the deliberately-placed stone keeps its secrets close.  

"Pancake rocks" on the mesa

While visiting here, it’s important to remember that even though the site is well known and frequently visited, you’re walking within an irreplaceable heritage treasure.  Avoid touching, climb on or altering the precious artifacts. Nothing needs “fixing” here---leave everything as is.  To gain a deeper appreciation of the architectural ingenuity, look closely at how the walls were designed. Ancient, mortar-free technology used the art of cleaver rock stacking and the holding power of gravity to construct the walls that have remained intact for centuries.  

Payson Packers negotiate the final approach to the summit

South of the complex, a series of metates (grinding holes) worn into an oblong boulder whisper of human presence. The metates are situated at the mouth of a shallow cave and natural shelter of limestone overhangs that resemble layered pancakes.  Across the valley, you can see the zig zagging line of the Red Hills Passage of the Arizona Trail.

East Verde River

The remote and challenging route trickles off the slopes down to the East Verde River and LF Ranch which offers bunkhouse style accommodations for hikers.  From a niche in the wall near the monolith, the respite ranch with its known history and obvious purpose appears as a couple of dots near the river at the end of a twisting road.

LENGTH: 4 miles roundtrip

RATING: difficult

ELEVATION: 3360 – 4080 feet

GETTING THERE:

From State Route 87 and Main Street in Payson, drive 10.9 miles west on Main and park at the Doll Baby trailhead. Main Street becomes Forest Road 406/ Doll Baby Ranch Road that’s mostly paved up to the 9-mile point.  There are a few rough, deeply rutted spots that require a high-clearance vehicle. The road gets very muddy and should be avoided when wet.

Y BAR TRAIL # 44

Y BAR TRAIL # 44

Tonto National Forest, near Payson

Y Bar Trail on the edge above Shake Tree Canyon

Woe be to my judgment when I equate a trail's greatness with how much I want to puke while hiking it. I mean that in a good way. Trails that have lots of strenuous elevation gain and dizzying exposure are personal favorites. Heights, cliffs and edge-hugging bends all provide an adrenaline-fueled euphoria that can sometimes muddle decision making skills. While learning to conquer fear and build confidence are perks of the sport, it's important to crank up the brain cells when approaching the thin veil that separates exciting from stupid. Agonizing but ultimately wise hiking choices I have made include missing a summit because of an ear-infection-induced case of vertigo and abbreviating a recent trek on Y Bar Trail #44 when my group encountered more ice and snow than we were prepared to tackle safely. Next time. Although tame in comparison to some other notoriously arduous Arizona hiking trails, Y Bar still has several opportunities to pause for thought. The trail is steep, rocky and requires traversing of talus slopes and narrow, cliff-clinging turns with deep drop offs. On days when it's clear of obstacles, this challenging trail within the Mazatzal Wilderness is achievable by most well-conditioned, adequately equipped hikers. Do not underestimate the slowing power of constant elevation gain and unstable footing. Bring along extra water and food as this hike will likely take longer than you estimate. Even the most athletic hikers will want to allow extra time to soak in the scenery.

The hike begins with a moderate climb through juniper, oak and agaves with big views of the Mogollon Rim and Highway 87 a thousand feet below. After a series of switchbacks, the trail swings west, heading deeper into the wilderness where it dips into Shake Tree Canyon then moves up along the jostled terrain of Cactus Ridge to emerge on a magnificent, windy saddle. Here, 7,903-foot Mazatzal Peak towers above a craggy back country of rock pinnacles, scorched trees and fathomless scoured basins. The trail ends at the Windsor Saddle where it meets up with Mazatzal Divide Trail that's also part of Arizona Trail Passage #23. Unless you've researched and geared up for one of the marathon loop treks returning on either the Barnhardt or Rock Creek Trail, make this your turn around point.

LENGTH: 4.6 miles one way

RATING: difficult

ELEVATION: 4,200' - 7,100'

GETTING THERE:

Barnhardt Trailhead:

From Shea Blvd. and State Route 87 (Beeline Hwy.) in Fountain Hills, travel 51 miles north on SR87 to Forest Road 419. This road is located just beyond the sign for Barnhardt Trailhead roughly 0.25-mile south of the town of Gisela. Turn left and go 4.8 miles on FR 419 to the trailhead. FR 419 is a rutted one-lane track. Although sedans are frequently sighted at the trailhead, a high clearance vehicle is recommended. Trail heads left at a sign a few yards up the Barnhardt Trail.

INFO: Tonto National Forest

http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/tonto/null/recarea/?recid=35283&actid=50

Wilderness waterfalls

BARNHARDT FALLS

Tonto National Forest

entrance to the grotto

inside the grotto: March 16, 2013

view of the trail with "chevron folds" on left canyon wall

Late winter snowfall followed by suddenly warm days of spring combine for  a perfect storm for waterworks in the Mazatzal Wilderness.  Because of this, Barnhardt Trail #43 is a busy place from March through early April--peak season for snowmelt waterfalls. In addition to its spectacular display of cascades, the totally canyon bound route zigzags through a complicated stew of geological delights including some spectacular "chevron folds"---accordion-style bends in the canyon wall created by millions of years of tectonic forces.  Also, look for "fossil" waves in the quartzite.  These stone ripple marks are either preserved ocean-bottom wave action or fingerprints of currents of shallow rivlets. Throughout the hike, outcroppings of blush-colored quartzite and dragon-scaly shales are drenched by trickling springs, puddles of melted ice and roaring cascades of water plunging 2000 feet over rough cut cliffs.  Several stony ledges along the way offer excellent views of water flowing at the bottom of the canyon and the contorted rock formations.  A particularly grand vista can be seen at a the 2.80-mile point where a natural rock shelter embellished with clumps of pincushion cactus teeters above a vertical drop with big views of the Mogollon Rim.  Although trail #43 runs for six miles one-way, we like to hike up to the large slot canyon falls at the 3.14-mile point, climb to the semi-hidden grotto and then return the way we came.   Amazingly, some hikers walk right past the slot without even noticing the 100-foot, three-tiered cataract visible around a bend in the rock. The entry is marked by a gushing, double water chute as shown in the photo on the left. It takes a bit of scrambling to get into the grotto at the base of the falls, but the effort pays off in a memorable shower of icy spray and crystal clear plunge pools. 

the rock shelter

LENGTH: 6.5 miles roundtrip

RATING:  moderate

ELEVATION:  4210' - 5580'

GETTING THERE:

From Shea Blvd and AZ87 (Beeline Hwy) in Fountain Hills, travel 51 miles north on 87 to FR 419.  This road is located just beyond the sign for Barnhardt Trailhead and roughly 0.25 mile south of the town of Gisela.  Turn left and go 4.8 miles on FR 419 to the trailhead.  FR 419 is a rutted one-lane track.  Although sedans are frequently sighted at the trailhead, a high clearance vehicle is recommended.

INFO: Payson Ranger District, Tonto National Forest

http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/tonto/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=35281&actid=50

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Video: Barnhardt Canyon waterfalls

BARNHARDT CANYON
Mazatzal Wilderness
The waterfalls along Barnhardt Trail #43 were running wild today. I'll be posting a trip report and photos from today's hike later, but, here's a video of the waterworks in the big grotto.

SUNFLOWER TRAIL #344 from CROSS F RANCH

SUNFLOWER TRAIL #344 from CROSS F RANCH Tonto National Forest, Mazatzal Wilderness
UPDATE 2-18-17: Hiker Randy Cockrell of Payson reports that new signage has been installed, making it much easier to navigate.

Forget about depending on the “trail signs” mentioned in popular hiking books when negotiating this route. They’re mostly gone, so you’ll be relying on massive cairns and Arizona Trail (AZT) markers to find your way. The first trick is to find the beginning of trail #344, which has been incorporated into the AZT---it’s directly across the road from the parking area, is unsigned and heads up the embankment. You’ll know when you’ve found it because after a few yards, the path becomes obvious. Almost immediately, you’ll come to the first of many cattle gates on this route, pass it and continue on the main trail (cairns---watch for the cairns). The first mile of this hike hugs Sycamore Creek. There’s usually water in cooler months and gorgeous stands of cottonwood, juniper, cypress, oak and, of course, sycamore trees shade the way. At least a dozen creek crossings are required, varying in difficulty from dry to tricky rock hops over flowing water. Several springs and a large stock pond attract domesticated cattle, horses and the local wildlife alike. After a few miles, the trail emerges on sunny, yucca-studded pasturelands with sweeping wilderness views. Trail #334 continues south to Bushnell Tanks trailhead---see prior entry for details. LENGTH: 12 miles roundtrip RATING: moderate ELEVATION: 3,600 -4,700 feet BEST SEASONS: October - April GETTING THERE: CROSS F RANCH (NORTH) TRAILHEAD: From Fountain Hills, go north on Hwy87, 36 miles to the Sycamore Creek Road (old Hwy 87) at milepost 222.5. Follow paved Sycamore Creek Rd. 3.4 miles to the large AZ Trail sign in a grove of sycamores on the left. Park here. The trail begins directly across the road where only a decaying railroad tie marks the faint path heading uphill. Once you find the access point, the trail becomes more distinct. INFO: http://www.aztrail.org/passages/pass_22.html

SUNFLOWER TRAIL #344 from BUSHNELL TANKS

SUNFLOWER TRAIL #344 from BUSHNELL TANKS Tonto National Forest, Mazatzal Wilderness


 Unbeknownst except to those who have traveled its central segments, state-traversing Arizona Trail (AZT) passes beneath Highway 87 just south of milepost 218 where the infamous “Pete’s Topless” billboard hawks a bar in Payson. The billboard has been painted over, but a towing business and a smattering of ranches dotting the hillsides still flourish in the area known as Sunflower. Its through this strip of remoteness that the Saddle Mountain, Passage 22 of the AZT connects Sunflower with Mt. Peeley. Sunflower Trail #344 has been incorporated into the AZT making up 12 miles of its 16-mile route. Two trailheads provide access to trail #344. This description begins at the trailhead near Bushnell Tanks. Route finding can be a challenge in the first quarter-mile, after that though, it’s easy. HIKE DIRECTIONS: from the parking area, hike down the dirt road 0.25 mile to a hiker sign located across from a wash just before a cattle guard. Veer right (west) into the wash and follow it through a beautiful grove of sycamore trees to the far SW corner. From here, you’ll see a barbed wire fence across the creek with a yellow forest service sign and an old red wheel tied to the fence. The towing company/ranch facility will also be visible to the south. Cross the creek here and then head uphill (veer left going toward the ranch) following the fence line. Look for cairns along this narrow path. Within a few minutes, you should be able to spot a large AZT sign and gate up on the rise. Pass the gate and follow cairns through a quagmire of catsclaw and shrub and before long a concrete tunnel constructed just for AZT hikers will be visible. Hike through the tunnel and then pick up the AZT sign post heading right and uphill. From this point frequent carins and AZT signs clearly mark the route through high desert ranch country halfway between Fountain Hills and nowhere. LENGTH: 12 miles 5oundtrip RATING: moderate ELEVATION: 3,600 – 4,700 feet BEST SEASONS: October - April GETTING THERE: BUSHNELL TANKS (SOUTH) TRAILHEAD: From Fountain Hills, go 32 miles north on State Route 87  to Bushnell Tanks Road (Forest Road 22) past milepost 218. Turn right onto FR 22 and go 0.1 mile to the road closed gate. Park here. INFO: http://www.aztrail.org/passages/pass_22.html   NOTE: this are was damaged by the May 2012 Sunflower Fire. Check status before hiking here: http://www.aztrail.org/Sunflower_Closure_Map.pdf
BUSHNELL TANKS CLOSURE NOTICE, TONTO NF http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fsbdev3_018499.pdf

BARNHARDT FALLS MARCH 13, 2010

BARNHARDT CANYON Mazatzal Wilderness Record rain and snow this winter has resulted in one of the best water shows I've ever seen in Barnhardt Canyon. See my prior entries for more info and directions to the trailhead. If you're ever gonna visit this amazing place---do it this year. The best time to see the waterfalls is from mid-March through mid-April. Don't miss out! See additional photos on my Facebook photo page.

BARNHARDT REVISITED

When the wonderfully thick pine-fir woodlands of Barnhardt Canyon went up in flames, the devastation was already a few hundred years overdue. Yet, the fact that naturally-occurring forest fires are as inevitable as they are necessary for forest health, did little to keep my heart from aching that summer in 2005 when I kept watch on the plumes of smoke over the Mazatzal Mountains from my Scottsdale office as they made an agonizingly slow beeline toward Barnhardt Canyon. Fires of this nature happen every few hundred years, and it has been estimated that more than 500 years had passed since Barnhardt Canyon last took the heat. The day the fire swept up the canyon, the abundant fuels sent billowy white towers of smoke higher than on any other day of the month-long blaze. Mental images of smoldering trees and eroding slopes haunted me for days. In March of the following year, we decided to hike the Barnhardt trail to see the damage for ourselves. The drive in to the trailhead showed minimal fire damage and the parking area was completely intact---surrounded by healthy junipers and scrub oaks. A collective sigh and an “it’s not so bad afterall” attitude stayed with us for less than a mile of hiking. Fire is arbitrary in its path and fickle in choosing victims. The pattern of destruction in the canyon seems to make little sense. In places, acres of 100-foot-tall black matchsticks clung to the ravines, still smelling of smoke while random patches of oaks stood untouched. One striking sight was a lone agave—the sole survivor living in an alcove of soot and ash. Gone was the majestic grove of Ponderosa pines that shaded a stony side canyon where snowmelt tumbled downhill. The oak and manzanita hedges that lined a section of trail over a 1,000-foot drop off—gone. It seemed that the damage increased with the elevation. Our normally gregarious hiking group went silent when we rounded the bend past the upper falls. Here, the damage was absolute. Where a sea of manzanitas and scrub oaks had once dominated the landscape there was now nothing but dirt and ash. Save for the blackened remains of an old wooden junction sign placed on a charred tree stump, our beloved trail had been obliterated. Since the fire, we’ve been going back to Barnhardt every year. The trail has been restored and many of the burnt trees have toppled to the ground and are rapidly turning to dust. Vegetation is coming back strong, and this year, we even had a nice showing of wildflowers. With many of the trees gone, views of the areas complex geology have opened up and the trail has taken on a new flavor. Although it will be hundreds of years before the forests regenerate, the signs of recovery are encouraging. Until then, random, fickle things, like the sprouts that emerged from the lone survivor agave this spring, keep us entertained. Happy trails, Mare SEE MY 2010 ENTRY FOR A VIDEO OF THE UPPER WATERFALL. See prior entry for trail information.

BROWN'S PEAK

BROWN’S PEAK Four Peaks Wilderness Several states, including Arizona, feature images of mountains on their vehicle license plates, but unlike Washington’s treacherous Mt. Rainier or the oxygen-deprived peaks of Colorado, our own bumper icon, Brown’s Peak, is accessible to anyone with a high-clearance vehicle and a sturdy pair of boots. Hikers must hurdle a triad of challenges in order to gain the summit of Brown’s Peak, the highest (7,657 feet) of the four signature pinnacles on the horizon east of Phoenix. First, the drive to the trailhead is a kidney-jarring adventure on sinuous dirt roads. Next, hike 2 miles up a boulder-strewn, forested slope to a wide saddle with views of Roosevelt, Apache and Saguaro lakes as well as the silhouettes of seven mountain ranges. The final challenge is a rock scramble to the summit. Experienced hikers will have no trouble following the cairned route up “hiker’s gully” but, if you fear heights, are out of shape or have a dog or child in tow, don’t even think about attempting the 700-feet of vertical, hand-over-foot climbing. The apex is a jumble of crags and wispy grasses bearing little resemblance its stamped-metal knock-off. LENGTH: Four miles round-trip to the saddle or five miles to the summit. RATING: moderate-difficult ELEVATION GAIN: 1,700 feet GETTING THERE: From Fountain Hills, take Highway 87 north and turn right onto Four Peaks Road (FR 143) then drive 18 miles on the unpaved road to FR 648 and turn right. Follow FR 648 for1.3 miles to the Lone Pine Trailhead. A high-clearance vehicle is required.

Y-BAR

Y Bar Trail #44 Mazatzal Wilderness Rugged, contorted escarpments of shimmering metamorphic rocks studded with high chapparal woodlands are the hallmark attractions of the Mazatzal Wilderness. The Mazatzal (which is pronounced “mah-zaht-zahl” and means land of the deer) mountains tower to nearly 8,000 feet for spectacular vista views. The Y Bar trail is a continual uphill climb along the base of Suicide Ridge through dense stands of juniper and agave. Near the 2-mile-point, the trail transitions into a heart-pumping crawl on the cliffs above Shake Tree Canyon. There, the path enters a burned area where charred pine trees and scorched snags make the remainder of the route tricky to follow. Watch for rock cairns to use as your guide. At roughly the 4.2-mile point, the trail tops out at 6,400 feet on the Cactus Saddle, a large open area with views that stretch all the way to the White Mountains in the east. From there, the trail dips downhill to a seep area known as the Y Bar Tanks-- the turn around point for this hike. LENGTH: 9.6 miles round-trip RATING: difficult ELEVATION GAIN: 2,400 feet GETTING THERE: From Phoenix, go north on Highway 87 for approximately 65 miles to Forest Road 419 and the signed turn off for the Barnhardt Trailhead, which is located a quarter-mile south of the town of Gisela. Follow FR 419 for 5 miles to the parking area. Information: Visit fs.fed.us/r3/tonto or call (928) 474-7900