EAST CHEVELON CREEK

EAST CHEVELON CREEK Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest 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 unmarked route bestows 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 dirt fisherman’s paths and stroll into the canyon. Over the first half-mile, the tread way is distinct, 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 the water as needed. Casual hikers can easily trek two 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 RATING: easy ELEVATION: 6,300 -6,100 feet DRIVING DISTANCE FROM PHOENIX: 137 miles one-way GETTING THERE: From Payson, travel east on Highway 260 foe 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. INFORMATION: 928-535-4481 or fs.fed.us/r3/asnf

Grand Canyon Rim Trail

RIM TRAIL South Rim Grand Canyon National Park This easy-to-access trail hugging the canyon’s south rim is a popular way to explore Arizona’s most magnificent attraction while barely breaking a sweat---making it a perfect place to take your friends and family who may be more into strolling than hiking. From Park Headquarters, the trail goes east for nearly 3 miles to Mather Point and west for just under 9 miles to Hermit’s Rest. Maps are available onsite and you can hop the shuttle bus to get to any of the 10 stops along the trail. Although the trail never strays far from the park roads, great views and the chance of spotting one of the reintroduced California condors soaring above more than makes up for the lack of a “wilderness” feel. LENGTH: 12 miles one-way RATING: easy—some sections are paved & accessible ELEVATION: 6,820 – 7,020 feet GETTING THERE: From Grand Canyon Village, simply head out to the paved walkway along the rim of the canyon and start hiking in either direction.

SEVEN SUMMITS of PHOENIX

 

The Phoenix Summit Challenge (a.k.a. The Seven Summits of Phoenix) Is held annually in November.
However, if you want to  tackle the circuit on your own, here's the plan: CamelbackMountain • Piestewa Peak • North Mountain • Lookout Mountain • Gila Valley Lookout, South Mountain • Shaw Butte • Shadow Mountain. Can’t get to all of the continents of the globe to conquer the famous “Seven Summits”? Well, then, why not trash a weekend conquering the seven summits of Phoenix. All of the seven highest peaks in the metro Phoenix area are easily attainable and can theoretically be achieved in a single day. However, most hikers will want to break the adventure into two parts in order to relax and enjoy the views on each high point. DAY 1: Southern Section Part one starts at the southernmost destination and works northward. 1. GILA VALLEY LOOKOUT: South Mountain Park 2.660 feet LENGTH: 7 miles RT ELEVATION GAIN: 1.310 feet RATING: difficult GETTING THERE: From Phoenix, follow Central Avenue south all the way to the end where it flows into South Mountain Park. Just past the park entrance gate, turn left into the Activity Complex. Drive past the Interpretive Center and go all the way to the end of the road and park. The hike starts at the Holbert trailhead directly across the road. South Mountain Park is open from 5:30 a.m to dusk and access and parking is free. There are restrooms and running water at the trailhead. HIKE: Follow the Holbert Trail all the way to the end to where it meets the National Trail. From the junction, follow the TV Tower Road for about a mile to the Gila Valley Lookout. The actual high point of South Mountain (Mt. Suppoa, 2,690 ft) is off limits, so the Gila Lookout is the next best thing. 2. CAMELBACK MOUNTAIN: City of Phoenix 2,704 (highest point in Phoenix) LENGTH: 2.3 miles RT ELEVATION GAIN: 1,300 feet RATING: difficult GETTING THERE: From South Mountain Park, drive north on Central Ave to Camelback Road and turn right (east). Continue on Camelback Road to 44th Street and turn left (north). Stay on 44th Street as it turns into McDonald and continue on McDonald, past Tatum to the turn off on the right for Echo Canyon Parkway. Be prepared to wait for parking at the trailhead. HIKE: Just go up. And up, and up. 3. PIESTEWA PEAK: Phoenix Mountains Preserve 2,608 feet LENGTH: 2.4 MILES RT ELEVATION GAIN: 1,190 feet RATING: difficult FEE: beginning in "early fall" 2010 there's a $2 daily parking fee. For more info, visit: http://phoenix.gov/PRL/passupdate.html GETTING THERE: From Camelback Mountain, exit the Echo Canyon trailhead and head north (right) onto Tatum Blvd. Continue on Tatum to Lincoln Drive and turn left (west). Drive on Lincoln past 32nd St and past the 24th St interchange. Lincoln will turn into Glendale Ave. Turn right onto Squaw Peak Drive and follow the signs to the trailhead. HIKE: This is an urban treadmill used by the local firefighters, athletes and spandex-clad beautiful people. But, don’t let the fact that you may be old and ugly keep you away. Carry plenty of water, wear sturdy boots and you too can enjoy Phoenix’s most popular hike. DAY 2: Northern Section Part two starts at the northernmost destination and works southward. 4. LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN: Phoenix Mountains Preserve 2,054 feet LENGTH: 1 mile RT ELEVATION GAIN: 475 feet RATING: Moderate GETTING THERE: From Phoenix, drive north on SR51 (Piestewa Frwy) and turn west (left) onto Greenway Road. Continue on Greenway to 16th St. and turn south (left). Follow 16th St uphill to a nice trailhead near a water tank. HIKE: Head right from the trailhead sign and connect to the summit trail 150. At the first unmarked junction, hang a left for the most direct route to the summit. If you miss that subtle turn off, don’t sweat it, just keep selecting the uphill paths and you’ll end up on the summit eventually. 5. SHAW BUTTE: Phoenix Mountains Preserve 2,149 feet LENGTH: 5 miles RT ELEVATION GAIN: 670 feet RATING: Moderate GETTING THERE: From Lookout Mountain, head back to Greenway Pkwy and go left (west). Continue on Greenway Pkwy to 7th St and turn left (south) Follow 7th St south to Thunderbird Rd. and turn right (west). Follow Thunderbird west and take a left onto Central Ave. The trailhead parking area is located on the right side of the road. Once again, you may need to wait awhile to get a parking spot. HIKE: This is a loop hike. At the trailhead, go left onto trail 306 and follow it to the summit. From the summit, follow the old paved road back down. 6. NORTH MOUNTAIN: Phoenix Mountains Preserve 2,104 feet LENGTH: 1.6 miles RT ELEVATION GAIN: 614 feet RATING: moderate FEE: beginning in "early fall" 2010 there's a $2 daily parking fee. For more info, visit: http://phoenix.gov/PRL/passupdate.html GETTING THERE: From Shaw Butte, go back onto Thunderbird and turn right (south) onto 7th Street. Go south on 7th St. to Peoria Ave and turn west (right) into the park. Follow the one-way park road to the Maricopa Ramada parking area. HIKE: The trail begins on a steep, dirt path and then connects with a paved road that leads to the top of the hill. Once at the end of the road, look for trail 44 to the left. It leads to the highest accessible point as well as a scenic ridge. 7. SHADOW MOUNTAIN: Phoenix Mountains Preserve 1,928 feet LENGTH: 1 mile RT ELEVATION GAIN: 440 feet RATING: Moderate GETTING THERE: This under-appreciated gem of a mountain is accessible from several points in residential areas. We selected the 25th Place trailhead. To get there from North Mountain, exit the park and go south (right) on 7th St. to Cave Creek Road. Turn right onto Cave Creek Road and drive north past the big church. Just before reaching Greenway Pkwy. turn right onto Claire. Follow Claire past 25th St. and take the next right onto 25th Place (unmarked road). The trailhead is at the corner of 25th Place and Acoma. Park along the retaining wall. HIKE: A sweet little traipse through the desert with a short steep scramble near the top. The summit offers up pleasant views of the surrounding area including a weird-looking reservoir and multi-million-dollar homes under construction.

PASS MOUNTAIN

PASS MOUNTAIN TRAIL Usery Mountain Regional Park Situated on over 3,000 acres of unspoiled desert terrain just south of Mesa, Usery Mountain Regional Park has more than 29 miles of hiking trails. Pass Mountain trail is the most difficult and longest of the twenty designated routes within the park. Open to horseback riders and hikers, the path makes a wide loop around the multiple 3,000-foot-high peaks of Pass Mountain for continual panoramic views of cholla-dotted arid plains and the jagged volcanic ridgelines of both the Superstition and Goldfield mountains. When hiked in a counter-clockwise direction, most of the strenuous uphill hiking happens in the first couple of miles as the trail climbs 600 feet before it levels off on the slopes beneath the peaks. After that, the route rambles over minor humps and shallow ravines until at near the 4-mile-point, it encounters a wide pass with spectacular views of a sprawling valley. Beyond the pass, the trail winds downhill through a maze of boulders cactuses, and palo verde trees that frame distant urban landscapes. LENGTH: 7.1-mile loop RATING: moderate ELEVATION: 2,000-2,600 feet FEE: $7 daily fee per vehicle. GETTING THERE: From Phoenix, take U.S. 60 east to exit 191, (Ellsworth Road) and go north (right). Continue on Ellsworth (which will turn into Usery Pass Road) for 6.7 miles and then turn right onto Usery Park Road. Follow the signs to the Horse Staging Area. The trail begins at the east side of the lot where there are porta potties and shaded picnic tables but no water. INFORMATION: maricopa.gov/parks/usery/Trails.aspx

HUNTER CREEK

HUNTER CREEK Tonto National Forest Those 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 it on the way out. Once at the creek, head right (south west) and follow the babbling brook, taking time to explore terraced waterfalls, a spring, and a crumbling stone foundation. This is also a good place to test your animal track identification skills on the dozens of footprints that clutter the stream’s muddy margins. HIGHLIGHTS: seldom-visited, creek side ramble LENGTH: 2- 5 miles roundtrip RATING: easy ELEVATION: 6,100-6,160 feet DRIVING DISTANCE FROM PHOENIX: 125 miles GETTING THERE: From Payson, go east on Highway 260 for 25 miles to Colcord Road (Forest Road 291). Go right and continue .3 mile and park on an unmarked dirt road on the right where there’s a barbed wire gate visible roughly 40 yard farther up the road. INFORMATION: 602-225-5200 or fs.fed.us/r3/tonto

CHRISTOPHER CREEK BOX CANYON

UPDATE: Sept 12, 2013-- Spoke with the forest service today. Even though the box canyon is located on forest service land, they have  NO plans to develop a hiker trail or trailhead.  The reason has to do with ADOT right-of-way.  Also, ADOT plans to install a 12-ft. wall along SR260 in the area above the canyon.  (Good luck getting around that.) Gila County has also been actively towing vehicles parked along SR260 for obstructing traffic.  Access now involves trespassing on private property. Recommendation---do not hike here.
UPDATE: April 2013--Construction continues to thwart access to this area. There is currently no stable/official route to the box.
September 2012 UPDATE:
Road construction on AZ260 continues to restrict access.
Do not try to hike in through the Boy Scout Camp, it is private property and hikers have reported being stopped and turned away. “THE BOX” Christopher Creek Canyon There’s always a lot of woopin’ and a hollerin’ at this favorite summertime swimmin’ hole where the scene on any given weekend is a collision of Andy Griffith-esque country charm and the 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 box 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 needle litter. 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 a visiting on a Tuesday. HIGHLIGHTS: Canyon-bound outdoor “spa”. LENGTH: 1.25 miles roundtrip RATING: moderate-difficult ELEVATION: 5,680 – 5,400 feet DRIVING DISTANCE FROM PHOENIX: 120 miles GETTING THERE: From Payson, go east on 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! NOTE: a visitor in July 2011 reports that, due to road construction in the area, this parking area is off limits (see comment below).  According to ADOT, road maintenance on SR260 is causing traffic slow downs and lane restrictions,
so I suspect that the uproar may be due to parked vehicles blocking the flow of traffic or getting in the way of dozers. The road project is scheduled to run thru December 2011. Please leave a comment if you encounter drama at the trailhead.  FOR CURRENT ROAD CONDITIONS:
http://www.az511.gov/adot/files/
INFORMATION: refer to the Tonto National Forest map

GRANITE MOUNTAIN

GRANITE MOUNTAIN TRAIL Granite Mountain Wilderness West of Prescott, the unmistakable, monolith of Granite Mountain dominates the horizon. Meandering through a wilderness of billion-year-old granite boulders and colored with a mosaic of wildflowers and blooming shrubs, trail #261 leads to a scenic, cliff lookout area 2,000 feet over Granite Basin Lake. Junipers, pines and oaks, shade parts of the trail but most are exposed to the sun. Between the months of December and July, the cliffs are closed (the maintained trails in the area remain open) to climbing due to nesting Peregrine falcons, and if you have a good eye, you may be able to see one of the fastest creatures on the planet in flight. Once at the “Vista Lookout” sign, continue hiking among the boulders as the path hugs the escarpment and opens up to a spectacle of volcanic crags, a blue horizon and distant mountain peaks. At the end of the trail, there’s an optional boulder scramble to an interesting jumble of granite spires. LENGTH: 9 miles roundtrip RATING: moderate ELEVATION: 5,580' – 7,220' GETTING THERE: From Phoenix, take I-17 north to the Cordes Junction interchange then turn left (west) onto Highway 69 toward Prescott. In Prescott, take Highway 89 south (a.k.a. Sheldon Street) and drive 1.3 miles to the “T” intersection with Montezuma Street. Keep following Montezuma Street., which will turn, into Whipple Street which will then turn into Iron Springs Road (a.k.a. SR 10). Drive 3 miles on Iron Springs Road and then turn right onto Granite Basin Road (a.k.a. FR 374). Drive 3.5 miles to the signed Metate trailhead where there’s a restroom and a water fountain. There’s a $2 daily fee per vehicle. The dirt roads are accessible by sedan. INFO & MAPS:
http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprd3811843.pdf

LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN SUMMIT

LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN Phoenix Mountains Preserve Hard-core hikers are easy to spot. They’re the ones finishing up when casual trekkers are just showing up at the trailhead. They also know the “good spots” and the best times to visit them. In addition to having unobstructed sunrise views, Lookout Mountain trail is usually much less crowded than nearby Camelback and Piestewa Peak trails. LENGTH: 1 mile roundtrip RATING: moderate ELEVATION: 1,579 - 2,054 feet GETTING THERE: the trailhead is located on 16th Street south of Greenway Parkway in Phoenix INFORMATION: ci.phoenix.az.us/PARKS/hikelook.html

LAGOON LOOP

LAGOON LOOP Dead Horse Ranch State Park Short in length but jam-packed with fun this wide dirt trail swings around a lagoon built by channeling Verde River water into a cove surrounded by colorful cliffs and views of the ore-rich hillsides of Mingus Mountain and Jerome. Level enough to accommodate strollers and wheelchairs, the trail stays close to the banks of the lagoon for up-close encounters with ducks, chattering warblers and swarms of red-winged blackbirds. Higher elevations, cool breezes and easy access to restrooms, drinking water and shaded picnic areas make this a popular destination for fishing, camping, and biking. HIGHLIGHTS: Kid-friendly, watch able wildlife, close to civilization LENGTH: Quarter-mile loop RATING: easy ELEVATION: 3,300’ GETTING THERE: From the park entrance, the trail is accessed from any of the lagoon parking areas. Information: Visit pr.state.az.us/Parks/parkhtml/deadhorse.html or call (928) 634-5283 Fee: There’s a $6 day use fee per vehicle.

FATMANS LOOP

FATMANS LOOP TRAIL Coconino National Forest Named for a narrow rock passage on the foothills of lava dome volcano, the Fatmans Loop #25 is one of the most popular hiking trails in Flagstaff. A great destination for kids because of its short length and continually changing points of interest, the route gives the feeling of being “out there” without cutting the umbilical cord to civilization. The highlight of the hike is Fatmans Pass, where hikers must shimmy through a set of narrow boulder passages in the shadow of Elden Mountain. Because of the easy-to-follow path, terrific vista views, and lots of cool shade, the fact that the “golden arches” are visible on the horizon doesn’t sully the experience in the least. HIGHLIGHTS: Close-to-town, easy-to-follow and great views of Flagstaff. LENGTH: 2-mile loop RATING: easy ELEVATION: 6,900’ – 7,500’ Driving distance from Phoenix: 150 miles one-way GETTING THERE: From Flagstaff, travel north on AZ89 to the signed “Mt. Elden Trailhead” which is located just past milepost 419. Information: (928) 526-0866 or fs.fed.us/r3/Coconino

WALNUT TRAIL

WALNUT TRAIL Tonto National Forest On warm summer days, a faint vanilla-butterscotch fragrance rides on the canyon updrafts along the Walnut Trail #251. The sweet aroma comes not from the wildflowers or blooming shrubs, but from the bark of very old trees. At roughly 120-150 years of age, the dark bark of Ponderosa pine trees begins to crack into rough yellow-russet plates that emit the scent when warmed by the sun. These gigantic trees thrive on the slopes of Oak Spring Canyon near Pine-Strawberry. In addition to the candy-scented air, this trail features excellent views, abundant wildlife and two springs that support tiny pockets of Arizona walnut, sycamore and canyon grape. HIGHLIGHTS: Hike features dozens of species of native plants, including robust stands of native Arizona walnut trees. LENGTH: 7 miles round-trip RATING: moderate ELEVATION: 6,000’ – 5,180’ Driving distance from Phoenix: 125 miles one-way GETTING THERE: From Payson, travel north on Highway 87 for about 13 miles to just south of the town of Pine. Turn left onto Hardscrabble Road (Forest Road 428), and follow it for 2 miles to the trailhead for Pine-Strawberry Trail #15. Finding the route: From the trailhead, follow the Pine-Strawberry trail #15 south for .10 mile to the junction with Walnut Trail #251. From there, go right and continue downhill into Oak Spring Canyon. Information: (602) 225-5200 or fs.fed.us/r3/tonto

RAPTOR HILL

RAPTOR HILL Dead Horse Ranch State Park A hike up Raptor Hill drives home the important impact the Verde River has on the surrounding landscape. Climbing the arid hillsides above the river, startling contrasts between the high desert scrublands and the green river gorge below assault the senses. The abrupt transition from a moist, burgeoning oasis to a parched lunar-scape happens in just 500 feet of vertical hiking. From high points along the trail, the ancient ruins of Tuzigoot National Monument and remnants of 20th century mining operations dotting the mountainsides frame unobstructed views of the Verde’s rare and fragile ribbon of life. HIGHLIGHTS: Visual vantage points above the Verde River LENGTH: 6 miles round-trip RATING: moderate ELEVATION: 3,350’ – 3,850’ GETTING THERE: From the park entrance, follow the main road to Flycatcher Road (2nd road on the left) where there’s a “Tavasci Marsh” sign. Follow this road less than a mile to the signed parking area. Information: Visit pr.state.az.us/Parks/parkhtml/deadhorse.html or call (928) 634-5283 Fee: There’s a $6 day use fee per vehicle.

BROOKBANK TRAIL

BROOKBANK TRAIL Coconino National Forest Built by an early Flagstaff settler to provide a route to the alpine meadows that define the upper reaches of the Dry Lake Hills, this old wagon route is a favorite destination for hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders. Buried in deep layers of snow in winter, the bowl-shaped meadows become soggy, seasonal lakes in spring. Water lingers in these high-altitude ponds into early summer when they dry out and are transformed into a riot of wildflower color. On the sun-drenched summit plateaus, patches of aspens and whispy, thigh-high grasses frame peek-a-boo glimpses of the San Francisco Peaks. HIGHLIGHTS: Close to town, alpine meadows, conifer forests and up-close views of the San Francisco Peaks. LENGTH: 5 miles round-trip Rating: moderate ELEVATION: 7,700’ – 8,400’s Driving distance from Phoenix: 165 miles one-way GETTING THERE: From Flagstaff, travel 3 miles north on Highway 180 to Schultz Pass Road (Forest Road 420). Turn right on FR 420 and continue for roughly a mile, then veer left on Elden Mountain Road (Forest Road 557). Continue on FR 557 for 3 miles to the signed Oldham trailhead on the right. Park there and hike up the road about a tenth-of-a-mile to the Brookbank trailhead on the west (left) side of the road.

MOUNT UNION

MOUNT UNION Prescott National Forest Priceless glimpses of Arizona’s beautiful central highlands await hikers on the summit of Mount Union--the 7,979-foot highpoint of the Bradshaw mountain range. Although this granite pinnacle is little more than the loftiest lump on a forested ridge above the Hassayampa River Basin, a hike to the peak still manages to deliver an enjoyable mountain experience complete with panoramic views, dizzying canyon drop-offs and a fire tower that has been in active service since 1933. The uphill slog to “bag the summit” begins on the Dandrea Trail # 285. At just under the one-mile point, turn right onto the Yankee Doodle Trail # 284 and follow the cliff-hugging path to the peak through a landscape infused with weather-worn scrub and eroding volcanic rock. HIGHLIGHTS: high point of the Bradshaw Mountain range LENGTH: 4 miles roundtrip RATING: moderate ELEVATION: 6,849 -7,979 feet DRIVING DISTANCE FROM PHOENIX: 130 miles GETTING THERE: From Phoenix, go north on I-17 to exit 262 for 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 10. 5 miles to Poachers Row Road , turn left and follow the road to its end where there’s a sign for trail #285 across the creek. There’s limited parking along the road. Do not park in or block the private driveways in the area. INFORMATION: (928) 443-8000, http://fs.fed.us/r3/prescott/recreation/trails/bradsahw.shtml