GOOSEBERRY SPRINGS
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| The old trough at Gooseberry Springs |
Since
prehistoric times, the fertile forests around Mormon Lake have served Native
peoples, wildlife, commerce and recreationists. The geologically complex area
of volcanic landforms and natural lakes is situated among historic travel
corridors that have been used for centuries by early inhabitants, loggers and
ranchers. Gooseberry Springs, which sits at the base of 8,532-foot Hutch
Mountain 30 miles south of Flagstaff, offers a glimpse into a time in the late 19th
and early 20th century when homesteaders ran sheep and cattle in the
forests and meadow on the Mogollon Rim.
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| Arizona honeysuckle grow near Gooseberry Springs |
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| Aspens and pine trees shade the road to Gooseberry Springs |
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| Water lingers in a catchment at Gooseberry Springs |
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| Mountain vistas peek through dense tree cover |
Today, the
area is a prime destination for outdoor enthusiasts interested in camping,
riding and hiking opportunities. Passage
30 of the Arizona Trail, an 800-mile route from Mexico to Utah, wanders through
this beautiful territory and offers hikers, bikers and equestrians a sweet
backcountry experience. While the Arizona Trail passes a few miles to the west
of Gooseberry Springs in Coconino National Forest, the site may be visited by
way of two under-the-radar routes. The traditional path begins near the summit
of Hutch Mountain.
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| Trailhead kiosk has information on the area's history |
There are two potential downsides to that option, though.
First, a high-clearance vehicle is needed to reach the trailhead and second,
the hike descends 600 feet, so all the steep climbing is done on the way back. But
the deterrents can be overcome by taking an alternate route that begins at the
Arizona Trail Gooseberry Springs trailhead where a kiosk showing historical
information on the area’s geography, early inhabitants, railroads, logging,
wildlife, settlers and ranchers enhances visitor experience.
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| The bucolic environs of Gooseberry Springs |
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| New Mexico locust bloom through mid summer |
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| Fire tower on Hutch Mountain |
From the kiosk,
continue hiking east on Forest Road 92 (the road you came in on) past a large
dispersed camping area and meadows full of wild roses, irises and lupine.
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| Pollinators congregate on a Gregg's ceanothus shrub |
The
rough road soon ducks into thick pine-oak woodlands with smatterings of fir and
spruce and begins a mild climb along a ridge above Fulton Canyon. At the one mile point go left at a major road
fork to continue on to the springs. The
road to the right is Forest Road 92A which leads down into the Seven Anchor
Spring area--a nice side trip for the way back, if you like.
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| The eponymous gooseberry shrub |
Through the dense vegetation, sporadic views
of distant mountain peaks break up the tree-centric scenery. After about a mile and a half of hiking, the
road dips into a green, bowl-like depression where Forest Road 135C veers off
to the right. Motorized traffic is not allowed beyond this point, but hikers
can use this closed road to get to the springs.
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| Lupine are common summer bloomers on the Mogollon Rim |
Continue 0.3-mile to a “Y”
junction where a faint path heads left. Marked only by a “road closed to
motorized traffic” post, this final leg of the hike passes through a large
sunny meadow fringed with aspens and dozens of gooseberry shrubs with views of
the lumpy backside of Hutch Mountain overhead. At the 2.6-mile point, the road
meets the springs. A dilapidated
concrete trough wrapped in metal bars and rusty wire rests a few yards downhill
from a stonework catchment at the head of the springs.
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| The hike follows Forest Roads 92 and 135C |
On my June 13, 2020
visit, a few inches of water lingered in a masonry box protruding from a
hillside, but the trough was bone dry.
Nearby, a patch of rare, moisture-loving Arizona honeysuckle thrive where
groundwater seeps to the surface—just one example of the many micro climates
visible to the attentive eye in this little pocket of paradise. The springs mark the hike’s turnaround point and it's all downhill on the way back.
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| View from the trail that starts on Hutch Mountain |
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| Deers ears grow in dappled light beneath pine trees |
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| The last leg of the hike is open to non-motorized use only. |
LENGTH:
5.2 miles round trip from Gooseberry Springs or
4 miles round trip from Hutch Mountain
RATING:
moderate
ELEVATION:
Gooseberry Springs route: 7,452 – 7,934 feet
Hutch Mountain route: 7,934 - 8,535 feet
GETTING THERE:
GOOSEBERRY SPRINGS TRAILHEAD as
described here:
From Flagstaff, go 32 miles south on Lake Mary Road (County
Road 3) to Forest Road 92. This is past mile post 313 on the left and signed
for Gooseberry Springs. Continue a short distance to the trailhead on the
right. Roads are okay for all vehicles.
HUTCH MOUNTAIN TRAILHEAD:
From Flagstaff go 33 miles south on Lake Mary Road (County
Road 3) to Forest Road 135 at milepost 311. Continue 2.6 miles on FR 135, bear left at an unsigned
junction and then left again onto Forest Road 135B. A high clearance or 4-wheel-drive vehicle is
required on FR 135B.
Those with low clearance vehicles should park along FR 135
and hike 1.5 miles uphill on the rough dirt road to the parking area on a
mountain saddle. Pass through the gate and hike 0.12 mile to where the road
makes an abrupt turn to the right. Look for a faint, unsigned path heading
downhill off to the left. Follow this trail 2 miles to Gooseberry Springs.
To visit the fire tower, follow the road a half-mile beyond
the gate.
INFO:
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