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MORMON LAKE LODGE AREA TRAILS
Coconino National Forest
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| Wild Bergamot blooms on Navajo Spring Trail |
Hiding across the street from the horse
corral at the busy recreational hub surrounding Mormon Lake Lodge is
a sweet little trail that's packed with interest. If you can get past
the multiple distractions near the trailhead (the horses, the
cowboys, the saloon, the lake views, the aroma of mesquite), a hike up Navajo Spring Trail offers respite
from the commotion and connectivity with the Mormon Lake Lodge Area
Recreational Trails (MLL) and Passage 30 of the Arizona Trail (AZT).
The hike begins as an easy stroll through meadows and Ponderosa
pines.
As the trail ascends along a ridge above a drainage, the
woodlands get thicker and the chipping squirrels more profuse before
it enters a clearing where wire fencing protects aspen seedings from
marauding wildlife. Here, just downhill from a prolific spring area,
reliable moisture fosters a bevy of wildflowers. Fields of wild
bergamot, Mexican silene, wild geranium and red cinquefoil bloom
bright in a boot-brushing color mania. Beyond the aspens, a conga
line of concrete water troughs arc around the green pastures of
Navajo Spring.
This is a good turn around spot for an easy day hike,
however, for those who want a longer trek, the Arizona Trail and the
MLL system are just yards away. Mormon Lake Lodge offers a free
trails map for resort guests (also posted here). The map, which was created by
David Babcock, Arizona Trail Association Webmaster/trail steward and
Larry Snead, Mormon Lake Lodge Environmental Programs Manager (and
former AZT Executive Director), shows the layout of roughly 13
miles of linking routes.
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| Arizona Trail |
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| Troughs at Navajo Spring |
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| Aspen regeneration area near Navajo Spring |
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| View of Mormon Mountain from the road to the lodge |
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| Golden-mantled ground squirrel on the Navajo Spring Trail |
Here's one loop to try: Follow Navajo
Springs Trail 1.1 mile to the AZT junction, turn right (north) and
continue 1.6 miles to Forest Road 90N (not signed, but it's the first
big road intersection). Head right (north east) on FR90N and hike
0.4 mile to the Fakowie Trail (Forest Road 90J), turn right and hike
1.7 miles back to the trailhead following the "lodge"
directional signs.
LENGTH: 2.2 mile up-and-back
or 4.8-mile loop
RATING: easy
ELEVATION: 6,880' - 7,550'
GETTING THERE:
From the State Routes 87/260
junction in Payson, continue 37 miles north on SR 87 to Lake Mary
Road (County Road 3) located just past the village of Clint's Well.
Turn left, go 27 miles on CR3, turn left onto Mormon Lake Road (
Forest Road 90) and drive 2 miles to Mormon Lake Lodge. Park in the
dirt lot behind the reservation office and horse corral. Hike begins
at the Environmental Education Center across the road between the
pizzeria and the "National Bank".
INFO: Arizona Trail
Association
Mormon Lake Lodge
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