PASS MOUNTAIN

PASS MOUNTAIN TRAIL Usery Mountain Regional Park Situated on over 3,000 acres of unspoiled desert terrain just south of Mesa, Usery Mountain Regional Park has more than 29 miles of hiking trails. Pass Mountain trail is the most difficult and longest of the twenty designated routes within the park. Open to horseback riders and hikers, the path makes a wide loop around the multiple 3,000-foot-high peaks of Pass Mountain for continual panoramic views of cholla-dotted arid plains and the jagged volcanic ridgelines of both the Superstition and Goldfield mountains. When hiked in a counter-clockwise direction, most of the strenuous uphill hiking happens in the first couple of miles as the trail climbs 600 feet before it levels off on the slopes beneath the peaks. After that, the route rambles over minor humps and shallow ravines until at near the 4-mile-point, it encounters a wide pass with spectacular views of a sprawling valley. Beyond the pass, the trail winds downhill through a maze of boulders cactuses, and palo verde trees that frame distant urban landscapes. LENGTH: 7.1-mile loop RATING: moderate ELEVATION: 2,000-2,600 feet FEE: $7 daily fee per vehicle. GETTING THERE: From Phoenix, take U.S. 60 east to exit 191, (Ellsworth Road) and go north (right). Continue on Ellsworth (which will turn into Usery Pass Road) for 6.7 miles and then turn right onto Usery Park Road. Follow the signs to the Horse Staging Area. The trail begins at the east side of the lot where there are porta potties and shaded picnic tables but no water. INFORMATION: maricopa.gov/parks/usery/Trails.aspx

HUNTER CREEK

HUNTER CREEK Tonto National Forest Those in search of solitude will appreciate this off-the-beaten-path stroll along a trickling waterway embellished with sun-dappled meadows. To find Hunter Creek, hike uphill from the parking area, pass a gate and drop into the streambed. To make your return trip easier, mark your entry point, as it’s easy to miss it on the way out. Once at the creek, head right (south west) and follow the babbling brook, taking time to explore terraced waterfalls, a spring, and a crumbling stone foundation. This is also a good place to test your animal track identification skills on the dozens of footprints that clutter the stream’s muddy margins. HIGHLIGHTS: seldom-visited, creek side ramble LENGTH: 2- 5 miles roundtrip RATING: easy ELEVATION: 6,100-6,160 feet DRIVING DISTANCE FROM PHOENIX: 125 miles GETTING THERE: From Payson, go east on Highway 260 for 25 miles to Colcord Road (Forest Road 291). Go right and continue .3 mile and park on an unmarked dirt road on the right where there’s a barbed wire gate visible roughly 40 yard farther up the road. INFORMATION: 602-225-5200 or fs.fed.us/r3/tonto

CHRISTOPHER CREEK BOX CANYON

UPDATE: Sept 12, 2013-- Spoke with the forest service today. Even though the box canyon is located on forest service land, they have  NO plans to develop a hiker trail or trailhead.  The reason has to do with ADOT right-of-way.  Also, ADOT plans to install a 12-ft. wall along SR260 in the area above the canyon.  (Good luck getting around that.) Gila County has also been actively towing vehicles parked along SR260 for obstructing traffic.  Access now involves trespassing on private property. Recommendation---do not hike here.
UPDATE: April 2013--Construction continues to thwart access to this area. There is currently no stable/official route to the box.
September 2012 UPDATE:
Road construction on AZ260 continues to restrict access.
Do not try to hike in through the Boy Scout Camp, it is private property and hikers have reported being stopped and turned away. “THE BOX” Christopher Creek Canyon There’s always a lot of woopin’ and a hollerin’ at this favorite summertime swimmin’ hole where the scene on any given weekend is a collision of Andy Griffith-esque country charm and the Nine Inch Nails crowd. Cooler-toting baby boomers in plaid Bermuda shorts and white socks mingle with young people in butt-crack-bearing swim trunks to cool off in the clear water and fresh, pine-scented air of Christopher Creek box canyon. For millions of years, the spring-fed waters of Christopher Creek that spill from the base of the Mogollon Rim, have sculpted the rose-tinted ramparts that flank the gorge and funnel water into slippery chutes, churning rapids and low-flow channels awash in swirls of pine needle litter. The most spectacular section of the gorge is less than a mile in length and can be fully explored by those who don’t mind boulder hopping, minor hand-over-foot climbing, wading and swimming. However, most of the action takes place at the head of the canyon where the sun-warmed escarpments fill up quickly with sunbathers and weekend warriors. So, if you’re looking for solitude---try a visiting on a Tuesday. HIGHLIGHTS: Canyon-bound outdoor “spa”. LENGTH: 1.25 miles roundtrip RATING: moderate-difficult ELEVATION: 5,680 – 5,400 feet DRIVING DISTANCE FROM PHOENIX: 120 miles GETTING THERE: From Payson, go east on Highway 260 for 19 miles. Between mileposts 271 and 272, look for a dirt turnoff on the south (right) side of the road. Watch that rut! NOTE: a visitor in July 2011 reports that, due to road construction in the area, this parking area is off limits (see comment below).  According to ADOT, road maintenance on SR260 is causing traffic slow downs and lane restrictions,
so I suspect that the uproar may be due to parked vehicles blocking the flow of traffic or getting in the way of dozers. The road project is scheduled to run thru December 2011. Please leave a comment if you encounter drama at the trailhead.  FOR CURRENT ROAD CONDITIONS:
http://www.az511.gov/adot/files/
INFORMATION: refer to the Tonto National Forest map

GRANITE MOUNTAIN

GRANITE MOUNTAIN TRAIL Granite Mountain Wilderness West of Prescott, the unmistakable, monolith of Granite Mountain dominates the horizon. Meandering through a wilderness of billion-year-old granite boulders and colored with a mosaic of wildflowers and blooming shrubs, trail #261 leads to a scenic, cliff lookout area 2,000 feet over Granite Basin Lake. Junipers, pines and oaks, shade parts of the trail but most are exposed to the sun. Between the months of December and July, the cliffs are closed (the maintained trails in the area remain open) to climbing due to nesting Peregrine falcons, and if you have a good eye, you may be able to see one of the fastest creatures on the planet in flight. Once at the “Vista Lookout” sign, continue hiking among the boulders as the path hugs the escarpment and opens up to a spectacle of volcanic crags, a blue horizon and distant mountain peaks. At the end of the trail, there’s an optional boulder scramble to an interesting jumble of granite spires. LENGTH: 9 miles roundtrip RATING: moderate ELEVATION: 5,580' – 7,220' GETTING THERE: From Phoenix, take I-17 north to the Cordes Junction interchange then turn left (west) onto Highway 69 toward Prescott. In Prescott, take Highway 89 south (a.k.a. Sheldon Street) and drive 1.3 miles to the “T” intersection with Montezuma Street. Keep following Montezuma Street., which will turn, into Whipple Street which will then turn into Iron Springs Road (a.k.a. SR 10). Drive 3 miles on Iron Springs Road and then turn right onto Granite Basin Road (a.k.a. FR 374). Drive 3.5 miles to the signed Metate trailhead where there’s a restroom and a water fountain. There’s a $2 daily fee per vehicle. The dirt roads are accessible by sedan. INFO & MAPS:
http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprd3811843.pdf

LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN SUMMIT

LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN Phoenix Mountains Preserve Hard-core hikers are easy to spot. They’re the ones finishing up when casual trekkers are just showing up at the trailhead. They also know the “good spots” and the best times to visit them. In addition to having unobstructed sunrise views, Lookout Mountain trail is usually much less crowded than nearby Camelback and Piestewa Peak trails. LENGTH: 1 mile roundtrip RATING: moderate ELEVATION: 1,579 - 2,054 feet GETTING THERE: the trailhead is located on 16th Street south of Greenway Parkway in Phoenix INFORMATION: ci.phoenix.az.us/PARKS/hikelook.html

LAGOON LOOP

LAGOON LOOP Dead Horse Ranch State Park Short in length but jam-packed with fun this wide dirt trail swings around a lagoon built by channeling Verde River water into a cove surrounded by colorful cliffs and views of the ore-rich hillsides of Mingus Mountain and Jerome. Level enough to accommodate strollers and wheelchairs, the trail stays close to the banks of the lagoon for up-close encounters with ducks, chattering warblers and swarms of red-winged blackbirds. Higher elevations, cool breezes and easy access to restrooms, drinking water and shaded picnic areas make this a popular destination for fishing, camping, and biking. HIGHLIGHTS: Kid-friendly, watch able wildlife, close to civilization LENGTH: Quarter-mile loop RATING: easy ELEVATION: 3,300’ GETTING THERE: From the park entrance, the trail is accessed from any of the lagoon parking areas. Information: Visit pr.state.az.us/Parks/parkhtml/deadhorse.html or call (928) 634-5283 Fee: There’s a $6 day use fee per vehicle.

FATMANS LOOP

FATMANS LOOP TRAIL Coconino National Forest Named for a narrow rock passage on the foothills of lava dome volcano, the Fatmans Loop #25 is one of the most popular hiking trails in Flagstaff. A great destination for kids because of its short length and continually changing points of interest, the route gives the feeling of being “out there” without cutting the umbilical cord to civilization. The highlight of the hike is Fatmans Pass, where hikers must shimmy through a set of narrow boulder passages in the shadow of Elden Mountain. Because of the easy-to-follow path, terrific vista views, and lots of cool shade, the fact that the “golden arches” are visible on the horizon doesn’t sully the experience in the least. HIGHLIGHTS: Close-to-town, easy-to-follow and great views of Flagstaff. LENGTH: 2-mile loop RATING: easy ELEVATION: 6,900’ – 7,500’ Driving distance from Phoenix: 150 miles one-way GETTING THERE: From Flagstaff, travel north on AZ89 to the signed “Mt. Elden Trailhead” which is located just past milepost 419. Information: (928) 526-0866 or fs.fed.us/r3/Coconino

WALNUT TRAIL

WALNUT TRAIL Tonto National Forest On warm summer days, a faint vanilla-butterscotch fragrance rides on the canyon updrafts along the Walnut Trail #251. The sweet aroma comes not from the wildflowers or blooming shrubs, but from the bark of very old trees. At roughly 120-150 years of age, the dark bark of Ponderosa pine trees begins to crack into rough yellow-russet plates that emit the scent when warmed by the sun. These gigantic trees thrive on the slopes of Oak Spring Canyon near Pine-Strawberry. In addition to the candy-scented air, this trail features excellent views, abundant wildlife and two springs that support tiny pockets of Arizona walnut, sycamore and canyon grape. HIGHLIGHTS: Hike features dozens of species of native plants, including robust stands of native Arizona walnut trees. LENGTH: 7 miles round-trip RATING: moderate ELEVATION: 6,000’ – 5,180’ Driving distance from Phoenix: 125 miles one-way GETTING THERE: From Payson, travel north on Highway 87 for about 13 miles to just south of the town of Pine. Turn left onto Hardscrabble Road (Forest Road 428), and follow it for 2 miles to the trailhead for Pine-Strawberry Trail #15. Finding the route: From the trailhead, follow the Pine-Strawberry trail #15 south for .10 mile to the junction with Walnut Trail #251. From there, go right and continue downhill into Oak Spring Canyon. Information: (602) 225-5200 or fs.fed.us/r3/tonto

RAPTOR HILL

RAPTOR HILL Dead Horse Ranch State Park A hike up Raptor Hill drives home the important impact the Verde River has on the surrounding landscape. Climbing the arid hillsides above the river, startling contrasts between the high desert scrublands and the green river gorge below assault the senses. The abrupt transition from a moist, burgeoning oasis to a parched lunar-scape happens in just 500 feet of vertical hiking. From high points along the trail, the ancient ruins of Tuzigoot National Monument and remnants of 20th century mining operations dotting the mountainsides frame unobstructed views of the Verde’s rare and fragile ribbon of life. HIGHLIGHTS: Visual vantage points above the Verde River LENGTH: 6 miles round-trip RATING: moderate ELEVATION: 3,350’ – 3,850’ GETTING THERE: From the park entrance, follow the main road to Flycatcher Road (2nd road on the left) where there’s a “Tavasci Marsh” sign. Follow this road less than a mile to the signed parking area. Information: Visit pr.state.az.us/Parks/parkhtml/deadhorse.html or call (928) 634-5283 Fee: There’s a $6 day use fee per vehicle.

BROOKBANK TRAIL

BROOKBANK TRAIL Coconino National Forest Built by an early Flagstaff settler to provide a route to the alpine meadows that define the upper reaches of the Dry Lake Hills, this old wagon route is a favorite destination for hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders. Buried in deep layers of snow in winter, the bowl-shaped meadows become soggy, seasonal lakes in spring. Water lingers in these high-altitude ponds into early summer when they dry out and are transformed into a riot of wildflower color. On the sun-drenched summit plateaus, patches of aspens and whispy, thigh-high grasses frame peek-a-boo glimpses of the San Francisco Peaks. HIGHLIGHTS: Close to town, alpine meadows, conifer forests and up-close views of the San Francisco Peaks. LENGTH: 5 miles round-trip Rating: moderate ELEVATION: 7,700’ – 8,400’s Driving distance from Phoenix: 165 miles one-way GETTING THERE: From Flagstaff, travel 3 miles north on Highway 180 to Schultz Pass Road (Forest Road 420). Turn right on FR 420 and continue for roughly a mile, then veer left on Elden Mountain Road (Forest Road 557). Continue on FR 557 for 3 miles to the signed Oldham trailhead on the right. Park there and hike up the road about a tenth-of-a-mile to the Brookbank trailhead on the west (left) side of the road.

MOUNT UNION

MOUNT UNION Prescott National Forest Priceless glimpses of Arizona’s beautiful central highlands await hikers on the summit of Mount Union--the 7,979-foot highpoint of the Bradshaw mountain range. Although this granite pinnacle is little more than the loftiest lump on a forested ridge above the Hassayampa River Basin, a hike to the peak still manages to deliver an enjoyable mountain experience complete with panoramic views, dizzying canyon drop-offs and a fire tower that has been in active service since 1933. The uphill slog to “bag the summit” begins on the Dandrea Trail # 285. At just under the one-mile point, turn right onto the Yankee Doodle Trail # 284 and follow the cliff-hugging path to the peak through a landscape infused with weather-worn scrub and eroding volcanic rock. HIGHLIGHTS: high point of the Bradshaw Mountain range LENGTH: 4 miles roundtrip RATING: moderate ELEVATION: 6,849 -7,979 feet DRIVING DISTANCE FROM PHOENIX: 130 miles GETTING THERE: From Phoenix, go north on I-17 to exit 262 for Highway 69. Go west (toward Prescott) on Highway 69 to Walker Road (County Road 57 which is just past the Costco center). Follow Walker Road south for 10. 5 miles to Poachers Row Road , turn left and follow the road to its end where there’s a sign for trail #285 across the creek. There’s limited parking along the road. Do not park in or block the private driveways in the area. INFORMATION: (928) 443-8000, http://fs.fed.us/r3/prescott/recreation/trails/bradsahw.shtml

KELSEY WINTER CABIN TRAIL

KELSEY WINTER CABIN TRAIL Kaibab National Forest Expansive Sycamore Canyon is Arizona’s second largest gorge. (Guess which one comes in first). Tucked into beautiful pine, juniper and oak forests, Kelsey Winter Trail #3 is the longest of the five trails that criss-cross the central portion of the canyon. It’s also the best way to sample the woodlands, high-chaparral prairies, historic ruins and many flowing springs that make this chasm such an interesting destination. The drive in to the trailhead is half the adventure—the access roads are nasty. Yet, the beauty of this trail makes the kidney-jarring ride worth the effort. From the trailhead, begin hiking downhill along the canyon wall on the Kelsey Spring Trail. Views of Sycamore Canyon along this passage cast an eye-opening spotlight on the magnitude of this “little crack in the earth”. At the half-mile point, the trail meets Kelsey Spring. Here, a short spur trail plows through a wind-swept field of silken grasses for a fun side trip to a trough set up to collect the precious water that seeps from the cliffs. From Kelsey Spring, the trail moves through thick mixed-conifer forests, volcanic boulder fields and open meadows shimmering with vivid purple Wheeler Thistle and blaze-red skyrocket flowers. Babe’s Hole—a spring protected by a funky old cement rim and wood planks—marks the 1.2-mile point just before the junction with Geronimo Spring trail. From here, stay left and continue on the Kelsey Winter Trail--where route finding becomes a challenge. Fallen trees and overgrown vines sometimes obscure the trail past this point. That’s why it’s a good idea to carry a good map and compass when hiking this trail. Once past the obstacles, good signage leads the way to Dorsey Spring, the cabin ruins and yet another spring, which spews fresh cool water year-round. HIGHLIGHTS: Dense coniferous woodlands, canyon views, several springs and cabin ruins. LENGTH: 11 miles round-trip RATING: moderate ELEVATION: 6,600’ – 6,100’ DOG RATING: 1 paw Driving distance from Phoenix: 175 miles one-way GETTING THERE: From Flagstaff, go west on Historic Route 66 to Woody Mountain Road (Forest Road 231). Turn left onto FR 231 and drive 14 miles to Forest Road 538. Turn right onto FR-538 and go 5.7 miles to Forest Road 538E. Turn right onto FR 538E and go another half mile to Forest Road 538G. Continue straight ahead on FR 538G for one mile to Kelsey Trail Road on the left. Because this road is so rough beyond this point, it’s smart to park at the turn off and hike the final quarter-mile to the trailhead. A high clearance vehicle is required. INFORMATION: (928) 635-8200 or fs.fed.us/r3/kai

SECOND WATER TRAIL

SECOND WATER TRAIL Superstition Wilderness Classic desert landscapes, a sprawling valley populated with thousands of teddy bear cholla and a tiny pocket of green where spring water feeds willows and waist-high grasses are the highlights of the Second Water Trail #236. Because the trailhead is easy-to-access and the route is relatively straight forward, this trails attracts lots of visitors. The hike begins on the Dutchman Trail #104, following it for a short distance to the junction with trail #236. From the junction, turn left and follow Second Water trail through a maze of creek beds, sandy flood plains and open fields studded with cactuses and thorny shrubs. As the trail undulates through canyons and washes, views of the stark, yet beautiful landscape chiseled from volcanic landforms open up along the high points before the trail ends at the junction with the Boulder Canyon trail where there’s a tiny spring-fed riparian eco-system tucked into a reed-lined cove. LENGTH: 6.3 miles round-trip RATING: moderate ELEVATION: 1,900 feet – 2,450 feet GETTING THERE: From Phoenix, take Highway 60 east to the Idaho Road exit (Highway 88), go left onto Highway 88 following the signs to Lost Dutchman State park. Continue to one-quarter mile past the park entrance and turn right onto First Water Road (Forest Road 78). Follow FR78 for 2.6 miles to the First Water Trailhead. FR 78 is maintained dirt with a few rough spots. There are restrooms at the trailhead. INFORMATION: Visit fs.fed.us/r3/tonto/recreation/rogs/hikingtrail/wilderness/Trails/superstition/ or call (480) 610-3300

SLATE MOUNTAIN

SLATE MOUNTAIN
Coconino National Forest

summit

Not actually made of slate, this hill is a laccolith, or a solidified heap of lava that pushed up the earth’s crust like a blister, but never broke the surface. Time has since eroded away the mountain’s top layers to expose the grayish-blue igneous rock called rhyolite, which early explorers mistook for “slate”. The moderate 5-mile round trip hike climbs 855 feet to the 8,215-foot summit.
LENGTH: 5 miles round trip
RATING: moderate
ELEVATION: 7,360 - 8,215 feet

GETTING THERE: From Flagstaff drive north on Highway 180 to Forest Road 191 between mileposts 242 and 243. Turn left (west) and continue on FR 191 for just under 2 miles to the signed turn off for the trailhead on the right.

RED MOUNTAIN

RED MOUNTAIN 
Coconino National Forest

Of the more than 600 volcanoes that define northern Arizona’s landscape, only one offers an opportunity for hikers to walk into the innards of a dormant mountain of fire. For reasons not entirely understood by geologists, the northeastern flank of Red Mountain collapsed, exposing the intricate internal structure of the 740,000-year-old cinder cone. Tiny cinders crunch underfoot along the ponderosa-shaded trail that leads into a visually striking arena of towering stone pillars and contorted lava formations. A secured six-foot ladder must be climbed in order to get into the most spectacular part of the mountain where disintegrating layers of red, ocher and black cinders create a maze of clefts and canyons and to explore.

LENGTH: 2.5 miles
RATING: easy
ELEVATION: 6700' - 7000'
GETTING THERE: From Phoenix, take I-17 north to Flagstaff. Connect to Highway 180 and continue north for 33 miles then turn left at mile marker 247. Follow the dirt road for .4 mile to the fenced parking area. There are no fees and no facilities at the trailhead.

VULTEE ARCH

VULTEE ARCH Red Rocks Secret Mountain Wilderness What resembles one of those plastic rock-scape thingies used in lizard terrariums and is named for a guy who crashed his plane? Give up? It’s one of the most-visited geological attractions in Sedona--Vultee Arch, a wide sandstone bridge tucked into the red-rock slopes of Sterling Canyon. In fact, the entire Vultee Arch trail oozes with the accouterments of a lizard paradise: warm sandy soils, lots of rocky ledges for soaking up sunshine and shady thickets of pungent pine-and-lavender-scented juniper and cypress trees. The fact that these same trappings also are a huge draw for people, explains the snarled masses of SUVs at the trailhead. Yet, working through the parking corundum is worth the effort to hike this trail to its end where lizards do push-ups on a bronze plaque placed in memory of the crashed plane guy and his wife in view of the arch that bears their name. LENGTH: 3.4 miles out-and-back RATING: easy ELEVATION GAIN: 500 feet FEE: A Red Rock Pass($5 daily fee) is required.  http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/passes/index.shtml

 INFORMATION: Red Rock Ranger District, Coconino National Forest, (928) 282-4119
http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/recreation/red_rock/vultee-arch-tr.shtml
GETTING THERE: From Phoenix, go north on I-17 to exit 298 for  Sedona/Oak Creek.  Go left (west) on SR179  and continue into the town of Sedona. At the junction of SR179 and US89A (the “Y” traffic circle intersection) turn left onto Highway 89A and continue for 3.2 miles to Dry Creek Road. Turn right onto Dry Creek Road (FR 152C) and continue for 2 miles to the turn off for FR 152 on the right. Get on FR 152 and go another 4.4 miles to the signed Vultee Arch trailhead. FR 152 is a bumpy dirt road--although we've seen passenger cars at the trailhead, high-clearance vehicle is a better idea .