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FOREST ROAD #608 TRAIL
Pine-Strawberry
 |
| Traversing a rock wall high above Strawberry Canyon |
Fitting squarely into the
"who knew" category of Rim country hiking trails, Forest Road #608 (a.k.a. Rock Wall
Trail ) is a pleasant surprise hiding in clear view of Highway 87
near the hamlet of Strawberry. The unsigned, unadvertised route
follows rugged Forest Road #608 as it clings to flaking limestone
ledges below the Mogollon Rim. Ascending more than 1000' through the
filtered shade of Emery oaks and Ponderosa pines, the red-earth Jeep
route hangs in precipitous knots above Strawberry Canyon and is
shored up by artfully constructed stone retaining walls where it
bends along the choppy contours of the gaping, conifer-fleeced gorge.
In the beginning, the route
is not marked, but once you've navigated through the maze of paths at
the trailhead, the rest of the way is simple to follow.
From the trailhead, pass the gate, veer
right and follow the power line road 500 feet to a fork just before
the road heads very steeply uphill. Turn left here (marked by a green
metal post at N 34 24.405, W 111 28.891). From this point, ignore
the side paths and veer right to stay on the wide road heading
uphill. In just under a mile, the first of the eponymous rock walls
stabilizes a hairpin turn. Here, additional fortifications are
visible high on the cliffs across the canyon. This is your
destination. As the trail climbs, views of the Mazatzal Mountains
peek through the forest before it swings onto a scenic, exposed ledge
where the road is hacked from wildflower-embellished vertical rock
faces. The two- miles-long "walls" portion of the hike
ends where the road heads inland at the trail's high point. Although
this is a popular turnaround spot, you can opt to follow the "608"
signs two more miles through fragrant woodlands to reconnect with
Highway 87. Unless you parked a shuttle vehicle here, return the way
you came.
LENGTH: 4 miles round trip for the
"walls" segment or 8 miles round trip for the entire road.
RATING: moderate
ELEVATION: 6000' - 7160'
GETTING THERE:
Strawberry Trailhead:
From the State Route 87/260 junction in
Payson, go 17 miles north on SR87 to the trailhead at milepost 270 on
the right. There’s parking for about 4 cars, but additional
space is at the Trail #15 lot a few yards up the road on the left.
Forest Road 608 Trailhead:
Continue on AZ87 to just past milepost
277 and park near the FR 608 gate on the right.
MORE PHOTOS:
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