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ROUND VALLEY TRAIL
Payson Area Trails System
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| View of the Mogollon Rim |
The Payson Area Trails System (PATS) is
a collection of routes weaving through the business districts and
suburbs of this north-central Arizona town. The trails tie in nicely
with nearby Tonto National Forest routes and most are open to hikers,
equestrians, bikers and ATV users alike. Round Valley Trail begins
in a quiet residential neighborhood with a climb along foot paths and
4x4 roads that leads to scenic high points with far-ranging views of
the flat-topped profile of the Mogollon Rim and majestic peaks of
the Mazatzal Mountains. Because many unsigned roads bisect the route,
be sure to look for PATS signs to stay on track. Even though it's
close-to-civilization, the trek offers a genuine outdoor escape as it
runs through undulating juniper-pine forests south of town. In
springtime, wildflowers like the ground hugging, purple blossoms of
the Featherplume dalia and wild carrot pop up from the loose, rocky
soils. One of the trail's most prolific spring bloomers is a shrub
called Gregg's Ceanothus which sprouts tiny white or pink flowers that
release a lilac fragrance from March through May. After topping out
at 5200', the trail dips down into Round Valley and curves toward
Highway 87 where the sweet wildflower breezes mingle with the aroma
of burgers and fries as the path approaches its west trailhead at
the Sonic restaurant lot on the Tonto Apache Reservation.
LENGTH: 4.5 miles one-way
RATING: easy-moderate
ELEVATION: 4800' - 5200'
GETTING THERE:
EAST TRAILHEAD:
From Phoenix, travel north on State
Route 87 (Beeline Highway) to Payson. Just past the Mazatzal Casino,
turn right on Phoenix Street (easy to miss, near the Circle K), drive
1.6 miles to Gibson Court, turn right and continue 0.1 mile to the
inconspicuous trailhead on the left. There's parking along the road
and in a cul de sac a few yards up the street. Do not block private
drives in the area.
WEST TRAILHEAD:
Located at the south end of the Sonic
restaurant at SR87 and Green Valley Pkwy. near the Mazatzal Casino.
INFO: Payson Area Trails System
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