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POLE KNOLL TRAILS
Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest
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| Trails are marked with Nordic ski symbols |
Conveniently located off
State Route 260 near Greer, the Pole Knoll Recreation Area is a
year-round destination for outdoor sports. The site's 12 trails
combine for 18 miles of both cross-country ski routes in winter and
hike-bike-horse paths in summer. Nordic ski symbols mark the trails.
Green circles indicate easy trails, blue squares are for moderate and
black diamonds mark the most difficult. The trail system loops
through a mix of alpine meadows, pine forests and aspen-fir groves.
Although most of the trails here offer moderate grades and
well-engineered climbs, the diminished oxygen of this high elevation
site tends to slow down visitors from the lowlands who may find
themselves huffing and puffing even on the easier routes. You may
need to suck more air here, but persistence pays off with gorgeous
mountain and lake vistas. Having to catch your breath every so
often is the perfect excuse to stop and savor views of classic White
Mountain peaks like 11,421' Mount Baldy and the 10,133' tower
cluttered slopes of Greens Peak---the tallest cinder cone in the
Springerville Volcanic Field. (And, yes, you can hike its
edge-hugging summit road). Route options include the easy 6.2-mile
Pole Knoll Loop that traces the meadowy base of the aspen embellished
volcanic hill and the more difficult Summit (2.1 miles) and View
Point (1.3 miles) trails that ascend to near the top. Although trails
do not go to the actual summit, peak baggers (hikers focused on
reaching mountain tops) with GPS skills can easily hike cross country
to the high point prize. Whether you trek along the base or trudge
high into heavenly hypoxia, this easy to access destination offers a
satisfying spectrum of hiking options for all levels of experience.
LENGTH: 18 miles of interconnected loop
trails
RATING: easy-difficult
ELEVATION: 8,700'-9,700'
FACILITIES: restrooms, picnic ramadas
GETTING THERE:
From the intersection of State Routes
260/73 in Pinetop-Lakeside (near the Hon-Dah Casino), continue 25
miles east on SR260 to the turn off on the right just beyond milepost
383.
INFO:
MAP:
MORE PHOTOS:
