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JACQUES MARSH WILDLIFE AREA
Pinetop-Lakeside
 |
| Monsoon storm over Jacques Marsh, July 2013 |
What began as a creative approach to wastewater management
has bloomed into thriving wetlands
on a wind-swept, White Mountains
grassland. This 93-acre site is a complex of ponds, nesting islands and
wet meadows that attract swarms of birds as well as elk, deer, coyotes, turkeys
and bears. Although there are no
actual trails here, visitors can hike along the cattail-choked berms and gravel
roads that criss-cross the area. The going is easy, however gopher and badger holes are potential hazards, so keep an eye on your footing. The created
wetlands of Jacques Marsh are fed by treated, reclaimed water pumped in from
the Pinetop-Lakeside wastewater treatment plant. But, don't worry---although
it's not advisable to drink the marsh water, it's perfectly safe to wander
around it. And, the only aroma is that of earthy water plants and surrounding juniper-studded prairies.
LENGTH: variable, the circumference is just under 3 miles, if you hike all the berms--up to 4 miles
RATING: easy
ELEVATION: 6720'
GETTING THERE:
In Pinetop-Lakeside, travel south on AZ260 (White Mtn Blvd.)
to milepost 350 and the traffic signal at Porter Mountain Road. Turn left and go 1.5 miles north on on
Porter Mtn Rd (also called Penrod Road in some publications) to Juniper Dr. on the left.
Follow this paved/gravel/dirt road 0.6 miles (ignore the
side road, keep straight and pass over 2 cattle guards) to the trailhead on the right. The last
half-mile is on bumpy dirt. Low clearance
vehicles can park along the road if necessary and walk the remaining distance.
INFO: White Mountains Online:
EPA document:
MORE PHOTOS:
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