Fern Mountain Botanical Area

FERN MOUNTAIN BOTANICAL AREA

Aspens on the Arizona Trail 10-7-26

On the western face of Flagstaff’s San Francisco Peaks, vast meadows of wild roses, ferns and brambles lap up against pine-and-aspen flocked slopes.

The hike meets the AZT at one-mile

In early to mid October, the aspens blaze in syrupy shades of gold and ochre, spewing an airborne tide of heart-shaped leaves.

Fern Mountain Botanical Area

Fern Mountain Botanical Area (FMBA)  is an unspoiled slice of autumn mountain delights. 

Looking west from the trail

The patchwork of rare wet meadow wildlife habitat in Coconino National Forest is known by several names—Hart Prairie, Wilson Meadow and often shows up on maps as Domingo Tank Road. 

Artistic natural sunshine illuminates Fern Mountain 

Fern Mountain 

Whatever the name, the place is home to some of the most beautiful aspen glens in Arizona. For hikers who want to avoid the annual autumnal hordes crowding to popular Flagstaff foliage destinations like the Kachina Trail, Inner Basin Trail  and Aspen Corner, FMBA offers a smaller, quieter yet equally pleasing experience.

The view from 9,000 feet

Bebb willows in the wet meadow

  A mile-long trail makes easy work of a nearly 600-foot climb that lands at a high-point vista at the junction with the San Francisco Peaks Passage of the Arizona National Scenic Trail. 

Aspens in Fern Mountain Botanical Area 10-7-26

Kendrick Peak in distance

The non-motorized trail starts  out as a rocky two-track passing through thigh-high forbs, acres of lacy ferns, wild rose shrubs and Bebb willows.

Arizona Trail 10-7-2026

Views of the peaks are breathtaking all the way up!

San Francisco Peaks 10-7-26

To the north, a cluster of buildings tucked around the base of Fern Mountain—a 8,772-foot extinct cinder cone volcano—belongs to the Nature Conservancy.

Beginning of the hike

The trail soon morphs into a stringy single track as it edges closer to a magnificent glen of aspens.

Approaching the peaks

At the Arizona Trail junction, there are options to continue hiking through this high-elevation paradise. 

The trailhead parking area

Go right (south) for about a mile to reach the popular Aspen Loop Trail at Snowbowl Road or head north about 1.5 miles and take a half-mile detour to visit Bismarck Lake—a shallow volcanic crater that sometimes holds enough weedy water to reflect the peaks and attract elk, deer, squirrels and swarms of butterflies. 

Access road to trailhead parking

LENGTH: 2 miles round trip

RATING: easy

ELEVATION: 8,420 - 9,018 feet

GETTING THERE: 

From downtown Flagstaff, go 10 miles north on U.S. 180 to Forest Road 151 (Hart Prairie Road) near milepost 225. Continue 4.2 miles on FR151 to Forest Road 9007T on the right. Follow the narrow dirt road 0.1 mile to the parking area. 

Two Ravens-Waterfall-Bradshaw Loop

TWO RAVENS-WATERFALL-BRADSHAW LOOP

Bradshaw Tank

On a clear day in early October, I stepped out of my Jeep and into a Hitchcock film.

Switchbacks on the Two Ravens Trail

At least that’s how it seemed as I began hiking on the Two Ravens trail near the town of Pine beneath the Mogollon Rim. 

Two Ravens Trail

The 2-mile non-motorized route in Tonto National Forest was unveiled in July 2025, as part of a 21-mile loop of connecting trails that circle the town.

The route is well signed

If I wondered about the trail’s name, the answer swarmed overhead in the form of circling ravens. Not two, though—-more like two dozen.

Maples and oaks for fall foliage color

And they were agitated. I’m no bird expert, but I know enough to recognize when ravens are anxiously protecting something like a food source or nest.

A raven croaks from a pine limb

Ear-splitting croaking, congregating in trees and “dive bombing” are unmistakable clues.  As it wasn't nesting season (usually January - March), it could mean only one thing—-a rotting carcass.

The waterfall grotto

Bradshaw Tank

And, sure enough, about a quarter mile in, the scavenged remains of an elk lie splayed in a ravine some 10 yards off the trail, dripping in fresh bird droppings.

Juniper passage on the Two Ravens Trail

Above, a cacophony of raven squawks radiated from the branches of a Ponderosa pine. Clearly, they needed me to move on down the road. I did move on and found myself in an Alejandro G. Inarritu film.  Rife with big vistas, a variety of vegetation zones and natural landforms, the Two Ravens trail packs in a plethora of movie-worthy attractions. 

Trailhead sign

Even though it’s just steps from town, the path is generous with its wild feel and connectivity to new and legacy trails. While the entire 21-mile loop would be an ambitious day hike, a 4-miler using the Two Ravens, Waterfall and Bradshaw trails provides a milder alternative.

Pine-oak woodlands on the Two Ravens Trail

From the trailhead, the Two Ravens dips into a shady pocket of pines, oaks and maples—evidently a raven stronghold. At the 0.2-mile point, the route meets the junction with the old Walnut Trail before twisting uphill to emerge on a sun-drenched, juniper-dominated plateau with amazing Rim and distant mountain vistas. 

Mogollon Rim view from the Two Raven Trail

Another dip brings the trail back into pine cover then meets the junction for the Waterfall trail at the 1-mile point.  Waterfall Trail is a 0.23-mile leg named for a stone grotto with a dry waterfall formation. Crowded with Big-tooth maple trees, the narrow waterfall cavity will likely blaze in red foliage in mid-to-late October.

Gate at Bradshaw Tank

The trail ends at a residential cul-de-sac where the next leg of the loop picks up on the Bradshaw Trail.

Meadow on the Bradshaw Trail

Once again in a pine-oak woodlands, the 0.66-mile segment crosses several rocky drainages and passes by Bradshaw Tank. A rustic wood-and-wire gate beckons a short detour to the tiny created waterhole situated at the edge of a meadow.  Soon, the hike starts an uphill climb to reconnect with Two Ravens.
To complete the loop, continue straight ahead, or for a longer trek, go east to connect with the Whiterock Mesa passage of the Arizona National Scenic Trail. The return leg of the Two Ravens trail starts out on long switchbacks that easily move hikers from moist ravines and deep woods back onto the airy, juniper-studded mesa. 

Alligator juniper on the Two Ravens Trail

Passing by the elk corpse, a conspiracy of ravens scattered, leaving threads of meat hanging from rib bones while a lone bird perched on a pine limb croaked menacingly as if daring me to filch some flesh.  That would be a whole other kind of film that I wouldn’t want to star in. 

Trailhead on Hardscrabble Mesa Road

LENGTH: 4-mile loop

RATING: easy

ELEVATION: 5,846 - 5,398 feet (1,591 feet of total elevation change)

GETTING THERE:

Hardscrabble Mesa Road Trailhead:

In the town of Pine, go 2 miles on Hardscrabble Mesa Road (FR 428) to the parking area on the left. This is also an access point for the Pine-Strawberry Trail. There’s limited parking along the road and in nearby pullouts. The last mile on FR428 is dirt/gravel suitable for all vehicles. 

Carousel-Giddy Up-Del Sol Circuit

CAROUSEL-GIDDY UP CIRCUIT

Carousel Trail

Anthropologists say that the fear of heights is adaptive. 

Carousel Trail

It’s an evolutionary trait with origins that date back to prehistory when fall injuries would mean pain, death or compromised ability to outrun sabertooth tigers. Natural selection favored humans that steered clear of cliffs, trees and steep slippery slopes.

The system is well-signed

Woolly Morning Glory bloom May - November

Thus, our modern brains are hard wired to avoid doing stupid stuff in high, exposed situations.

Carousel Trail

At least most of the time. As many hikers know, any trail is more fun with a touch of adrenaline.  Mountains, canyons, and edgy traverses maintain a magnetic appeal for hikers with enough experience, stamina, traction and sense enough to mitigate the stupid.

View from Giddy Up Trail

But for those willing to admit to experiential deficiencies, maybe starting with a little adrenaline is a smart plan. 

Scarlet Creeper blooms May - October

Taking a cue from pop medicine, why not try adrenaline micro-dosing?

Carousel Trail

Acclimating to trail exposure like cliffs and slopes is easy— just pick a path with short duration drop offs and multiple exit plans—-all within cell phone range.

Carousel Trail

A good one to test out is the Carousel Trail that’s part of the Turkey Creek Trail System in the Village of Oak Creek. 

Carousel Trail

The 0.4-mile connector route in Coconino National Forest whips around the slick rock ledges of a small sandstone butte.  It links up with several of the system's longer routes for dozens of loop options.

Camphorweed blooms March - November

To find the Carousel Trail, begin at the Turkey Creek trailhead with a half-mile walk to the Giddy Up trail.  Hike 0.3-mile on Giddy Up and pick up Carousel where a sign warns that the trail is not recommended for horses—a signal that the way is narrow with some steep slopes.

Carousel Trail

Right from the get go, the route hugs red-rock walls, whipping around the butte in a wide arc.  In terms of exposure, it’s not too bad, though the trail does hang precariously over some cactus-cluttered inclines. 

Del Sol Trail

Just nerve-jangling enough for a mild rush, the path also delivers some fine vistas of Sedona-area landmarks like Cathedral Rock, Capitol Butte and Napoleon’s Tomb.

Del Sol Trail

After a few adrenaline surges, the trail rounds a bend and begins winding downhill.  While still mostly on smooth red rock, the remainder of the route is more comfortably situated away from the queasy edges. At the 1.2-mile point, Carousel ends at the junction with the Del Sol trail. Here, white arrows help navigate the trails where they traverse bare rock. For a 2-mile loop, hang a left (heading downhill) on Del Sol and follow the arrows and signs back to the trailhead. Otherwise, continue south on Del Sol (a 3.3-mile trail) for a larger dose of height-related thrills. While you’re there, you might encounter trail workers building out the system.

Start of the Carousel Trail

The system is already two years in the making and Phase III trail construction resumes in November for the 2026-27 season. Over 7 more miles of new construction, refinement and restoration are planned.  

LENGTH: 2-mile loop

RATING: moderate

ELEVATION: 3,924 – 4,118 feet

GETTING THERE:

Turkey Creek Trailhead:

From State Route 179 in the Village of Oak Creek, go 4 miles west on Verde Valley School Road to Forest Road 216B on the left. Park in the dirt lot at the large forest service sign a few yards in. Follow the “trail” signs to  access the route.  There are no facilities or fees at this trailhead.

Roads are paved up to the last half mile which is maintained dirt suitable for all vehicles. 

KEEP UP WITH TURKEY CREEK TRAIL SYSTEM HERE:

https://redrocktrailfund.org/turkey-creek-year-2-phase-iii-whats-coming-this-trail-season/

 

 

Stewart Ridge

 STEWART RIDGE

View of Mazatzal Mountains from Stewart Ridge

The Stewart Ridge Trail has been around for ages, existing as a gray zone social trail.

Summit on Stewart Ridge

For years the popular route was neither sanctioned nor actively blockaded by the forest service.

North Peak--center horizon

Mogollon Rim vista

But as part of a major trail enhancement push in the Payson-Pine-Strawberry area, Stewart Ridge has finally gained legal status.

Yuccas on Stewart Ridge

The trail is located in Tonto National Forest and had been adopted into the Payson Area Trails System (PATS).

Hike starts on the Over the Top Trail

While it’s just under a mile in length, Stewart Ridge delivers generous doses of both physical exertion and scenic beauty. 

A herd of elk on Stewart Ridge

From the Mud Springs Trailhead not far from downtown Payson, the hike begins with a short walk over slick rock and tree-lined edges on the newly adopted Over The Top Trail.

Trail on Stewart Ridge

At the 0.3-mile point, a sign post marks the turn off for Stewart Ridge.

Edgy section on the ridge

Right from the start, the trail heads uphill over a rocky single track.

Stewart Ridge junction

There are a few segments of level path, but it’s mostly a steady, not-too-difficult climb.

summit

Once out of the lower elevation tree cover, the ridge is open to the sky with views of the Mogollon Rim on one side and the Mazatzal Mountains on the other. 

Near the high point of the trail

Rife with cactus, yucca, agaves and sporadic junipers and firs, the trail moves among boulders and waist-high grasses before taking on the final push to a small summit at trail’s end. 

Summit mound ahead

The rock cluttered mound reveals breathtaking 360-degree vistas of national forest, wilderness, distant mountain peaks and pine-shaded residential neighborhoods.

Overlooking Payson

 

To extend the hike, just descend and pick up the mile-long Over The Top trail which tethers to the recently unveiled maze of loops and connectors in the Boulders Area Trail System. 

Mud Springs trailhead

LENGTH: 2 miles round trip (out-and-back hike)

RATING: moderate

ELEVATION: 4,758 - 5,433 feet (1,284 feet of accumulated elevation change)

GETTING THERE:

MUD SPRINGS TRAILHEAD:

From State Route 87 (aka Main Street)  in Payson, go 1 mile east on E. Phoenix Street and turn right on Gibson Court.  Continue a short distance to the trailhead on the left.  There’s limited street side parking in the residential area.  Mind the private property.