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SPRINGS TRAIL
Pinetop-Lakeside
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| Thompson Creek |
Have you ever wondered about how forest
trails came to be? Their origins range from repurposed game trails
and Depression Era Civilian Conservation Corps projects to
collaborative efforts between grassroots teams and land management
organizations. The White Mountains Trail System represents the work
of TRACKS, a group of volunteers dedicated to the development and
preservation of non-motorized trails within the Apache-Sitgreaves
National Forests and surrounding communities. Their ongoing work
harnesses partnerships between government, business, private
organizations and dedicated volunteers to raise the funds and provide
labor to build and maintain a 200+ mile system of linking trails with its
epicenter around Show Low and Pinetop-Lakeside.
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| Wildflowers and meadows on Springs Trail |
A good introduction to this system is
the Springs Trail. The easy to find, 3.6-mile loop located just
off State Route 260 in Pinetop-Lakeside showcases the project's
many fine qualities. The trailhead has plenty of parking and a map
kiosk that shows the route and its connector trails. There's
excellent signage throughout so even novice hikers won't get lost.
Diamond shaped tree tags indicate the way and numbered location
markers that correspond with downloadable maps are placed every
quarter mile so you'll always know where you are on the trail. This
is handy information to have in case you get in trouble and need to
call for rescue. The forested trail winds though bucolic pastures
replete with grazing cattle. Billy and Thompson Creeks, stock tanks
and springs add watery points of interest. At the western edge of the loop, Pinetop
Springs occupies a meadow dotted with concrete troughs that attract a
mix of domestic livestock and forest critters. Water levels in the
creeks varies with seasons and rainfall, but there's almost always a
few reflecting pools. An especially productive spot to observe
wildlife is where the trail follows the cliffs above Thompson Creek.
Here, pine shaded volcanic boulders overlooking the yawning water
course provide convenient places to sit and scope out the elk, deer
and ravens that congregate among muddy pools and fringy shrubs.
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| Pinetop Springs |
LENGTH:
3.6 miles
RATING:
easy
ELEVATION:
7120' - 7210'
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| Calliopsis blooms June - September |
GETTING
THERE:
In
Pinetop-Lakeside, go south on State Route 260 (White Mountain Blvd.)
to Bucksprings Road. Turn left and go 0.6-mile to Sky-Hi Road, turn
left again and continue 1.1 miles to the trailhead on the left.
INFO:
White Mountains Trail System
MORE
PHOTOS:
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