APACHE VISTA

APACHE VISTA Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest

UPDATE:

This trail has been impacted by the WALLOW FIRE, June 2011. Hovering over the town of Springerville in Arizona’s White Mountains, the Apache Vista Trail #617 showcases outstanding high-country scenery. Situated at 9,000 feet in elevation, the gentle path traipses through wide-open alpine meadows along the edge of a deep, forested canyon. Cool summer temperatures and ample rain foster profuse growths of multi-colored wildflowers and towering old-growth conifers. It’s no accident that the trail has the word “vista” in its name. Expansive views of volcanic fields and river gorges that stretch all the way into New Mexico are this trail’s signature attraction. Length: 5.2 miles round-trip Rating: easy Elevation gain: 50 feet Getting there: From downtown Eagar, go west on Highway 260 for roughly 3 miles to the Highway 261 junction. From there, turn left (south) on Highway 261 and continue for 7.2 miles to the trailhead on the left.

FAY CANYON

The "shark fin" at trail's end

The ruins beneath the arch are likely reconstructed

Fay Arch

inside Fay Arch

Typical scene along the trail

FAY CANYON TRAIL Red Rock Secret Mountain Wilderness, Sedona Hiding in plain site in the cliffs above Fay Canyon Trail, are historic and geological wonders you won’t want to miss. However, you’ll need a keen eye to locate them. About a mile into the shaded high-desert canyon, look for an artful cairn and a faint spur trail on the right. From there, Fay Arch and remnants of an ancient stone structure are visible in the cliffs high above the trail. A short but steep hike up to the arch is worth the effort because the enormity of the Supai sandstone bridge and the adjacent slot canyon is best experienced up-close. The exploratory adventure doesn’t end at the ruins, though. The trail terminates at a prominent “shark fin” formation surrounded by cliffs that offer easy climbing and impressive views of Sedona. LENGTH: 2.4 miles round-trip RATING: easy (with a tricky optional side trip) ELEVATION: 4,500'-4,800' Fees: A Red Rock Pass ($5 daily fee per vehicle) is required. GETTING THERE: From the junction of Highways 179 and 89A (the “Y” traffic circle intersection) in Sedona, turn left onto Highway 89A and continue for 3.2 miles to Dry Creek Road. Turn right on Dry Creek Road (Forest Road 152C) and continue 2.9 miles  to the  Long Canyon/Boynton Canyon Road intersection. From here, turn left to stay on FR-152C and continue to Boynton Canyon Road. At the intersection, turn left onto Boynton Pass Road and drive for about a half-mile to the trailhead on the right.
INFO: Red Rock Ranger District, Coconino National Forest
http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/recreation/red_rock/fay-canyon-tr.shtml

WINDMILL HIKE

WINDMILL HIKE Superstition Wilderness Free-form in nature and easy to access, this hike follows a casual maze of trails that meander among dilapidated, tin-roofed corrals, wooden fences and a windmill that lost its blades years ago. The ruins are surrounded by twisted barbed wire and stand as decadent sentries in an expansive desert canyon where herds of cattle once enjoyed the shade and fresh spring water that still feeds water holes scoured out of the area’s volcanic crags. The trail begins on an old dirt road that leads to the ruins. From there, narrow footpaths lead to many points of interest including a spectacular slot canyon where the songs of vociferous cardinals and canyon sparrows bounce off the cliffs and harmonize with the sound of rusty metal swaying in the breeze. LENGTH: 2 miles round-trip ELEVATION: 2249' - 2146'  RATING: easy GETTING THERE: From Phoenix, take US 60 east to the AZ88 (Idaho Road) exit, go left at the intersection and continue  to the turn off for FR 78/First Water Road locates about 0.25 mile past Lost Dutchman State Park. Follow FR78 to the horse staging area on the left and park in the adjacent lot. Hike back out onto FR-78 and continue for a short distance to an unmarked dirt road on the left. There’s a gate a few yard in from the road, which marks the beginning of the trail.

TABLE TOP MESA

TABLE TOP MESA Table Top Wilderness Area WARNING JULY 2010: THE BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT HAS POSTED A WARNING SIGN ALONG THE ACCESS ROAD TO THIS TRAIL ADVISING OF DANGERS ASSOCIATED WITH ILLEGAL DRUG SMUGGLING ACTIVITIES. PROCEED AT YOUR OWN RISK! Near the 4,356-foot summit of Table Top Mountain, a series of low walls stand in stony silence over the sprawling desert lowlands of the Vekol Valley. Blurring the border between truth and legend, the origin and purpose of the walls is shrouded in mystery, baffling archeologists and geologist alike. Easy-to-spot from the freeways near Casa Grande, the distinct, solitary flat-topped mesa is a familiar landmark rising 2,000 feet above hazy cotton fields and desert plains. Getting to the top is easier than it appears, though. An obvious, gradual trail crawls up the mountain through bajadas, ancient basalt lava flows and pristine communities of ironwood and mesquite to the crest of the mesa. There, a breezy, 40-acre yucca-dotted grassland rolls out like an overgrown shag carpet stitched together in loose clumps of sun-bleached, earth-tone fodder. LENGTH: 7 miles round-trip RATING: moderate ELEVATION: 2,300 – 4,356 feet Getting there: From Phoenix, travel south on Interstate 10 to Interstate 8. Go west on I-8 to the Vekol Valley Interchange (exit 144). From there, go south on Vekol Road for 2.1 miles to the Vekol Ranch turnoff, veer right, and follow the “trail” posts for 15.2 miles to the signed campsite with vault toilets. The dirt access road is well maintained and marginally passable by sedan. However, a high-clearance vehicle is recommended due to some sandy portions and deep ruts. A 4-wheel drive vehicle is required if the roads are wet. Information: Visit: azwww.az.blm.gov/pfo/ttm.htm or call (623) 580-5500

ELEPHANT MOUNTAIN

Elephant Mountain Spur Cross Conservation Area Located just a few minutes north of Scottsdale, the rugged beauty of Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area is an island of pristine Sonoran desert surrounded by a sea of golf greens and adobe rooftops. The Elephant Mountain trail uses a maze of old Jeep tracks and primitive paths that cut through stream washes, grasslands and boulder fields to explore a remote section of this area. The commotion of the busy trailhead is soon left behind as the trail descends along a volcanic ravine where ancient ruins pepper the landscape. The ruins themselves are difficult to locate—and that’s the way park rangers would like to keep it—to help preserve the fragile artifacts. However, it’s still possible to learn more about the ruins by participating in ranger-led interpretive hikes. About a mile into the hike, at the Tortuga-Elephant Mountain trail junction, the distinct pachyderm profile of Elephant Mountain takes center stage. From here, the destination is clearly visible. The trail heads up hill to a saddle below the “tusks”. The saddle, located at the 3.5-mile point, offers panoramic views of Sugarloaf Mountain, Skull Mesa and the McDowell Mountains. But that’s not the best part—teetering atop the “tusks” are a series of ancient stonewalls. However, don’t even think about scrambling up to explore them because the area is off limits, except, of course, to ranger-led hikes. LENGTH: 9.2 miles out-and-back RATING: moderate (route-finding skills are required) ELEVATION: 2,400' - 3,200'  FEE  $3 daily fee per person. The self-pay station requires exact change. GETTING THERE:  From Loop 101IN north Phoenix, exit at Cave Creek Road and drive north for approximately 15 miles to Spur Cross Ranch Road. This is an easy-to-miss junction located just before entering the busy main drag of Cave Creek.  It is signed and the turn off is on the left. From here, the road jogs north and then makes  a tight turn to the right to another funny junction.  There's a BIG sign here pointing north (go left) to Spur Cross Ranch. Continue north for 4.2 miles to the parking lot on the left. The last mile of the road is good dirt and passable by sedan. HIKE DIRECTIONS: Follow the Tortuga trail for 1.2 miles to the Elephant Mountain trail junction. From there, the trail becomes primitive, marked only by rock cairns and faint footpaths.
INFO  & MAPS : Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area: http://www.maricopacountyparks.net/assets/1/6/spur-cross-8x11.pdf

A.B. YOUNG TRAIL

Oak Creek flows at the base of the rim

Limestone formations along the trail

Oak Creek cascade

East Pocket Fire Tower

A.B. YOUNG TRAIL #100

Sedona

A.B. Young Trail after the Slide Fire, May 2014

UPDATE: This trail sustained major damage from the May 2014 Slide Fire. This hike has everything --water, high-desert ridges, a grueling climb and a pleasant traipse through a pine and oak forest to the historic East Pocket fire lookout.

The trail begins in the Bootlegger Day Use Area near site number two.  From there, descend the flagstone stairs to Oak Creek and follow the generic trail markers to the creek. Boulder-hop the water and head toward the stone retaining wall where there’s a metal “A.B. Young #100” sign.  The ascent begins immediately through a cool, creek-side environment that quickly transcends into a pine forest. After about the half-mile point, the trail leaves the shade and begins switch backing up steep sun-drenched cliffs on its way to the 7,196-foot West Rim of Oak Creek Canyon.  Many spectacular rock formations and great views of the narrow canyon open up as the trail gains elevation.  Once on the rim, follow the carins into the forest to the wooden “A.B. Young/Oak Creek” sign that marks the official end of the trail. To reach the East Pocket fire lookout, continue for just under a mile following a series of huge rock cairns. Staffed by a USFS worker during the fire season, visitors are welcome in the funky old 1930s-style wooden tower.

LENGTH:  6 miles round trip

RATING:  difficult

ELEVATION: 5,100’ – 7,196”

FACILITIES: restroom

FEE: a Red Rock Pass is required: there’s a permit kiosk at the trailhead that takes paper, plastic and coins. http://www.redrockcountry.org/passes-and-permits/index.shtml

GETTING THERE:

From Phoenix, take I-17 north to the Sedona-Oak Creek exit 298 for SR179.  Head left (west) on SR179 and continue to the Sedona “Y” intersection of SR 179 and US89A. Veer right (north) through the traffic circle and continue 8.8 miles to the Bootlegger Day Use Area near milepost 383. Roads are 100% paved.

INFO:  Red Rock Ranger District, Coconino National Forest, 928-282-4119

http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/recreation/red_rock/abyoung-tr.shtml

INDIAN FARM to TONTO CREEK

Sometimes a little confusion makes for a good team-building exercise. That’s what we got while hiking the Indian Farm Trail. Or, at least we THINK we hiked the Indian Farm Trail. Our first mistake was to trust the hike description given in a popular hiking book which turned out to be over simplified and rife with typos---noteworthy among them was the back-ackwards FS road number which makes up the majority of the hike. Next, the maps in the book showed the route as a straight-forward path. However, what we found was that the area is riddled with a maze of unnamed 4x4 roads and informal trails—none of which appear on the forest servce maps or in the National Geo TOPO software. Soooo, we decided to trudge along anyway, using GPS waypoints and carin-building to create our own route. (see details below) We were not disappointed. After a short, uphill climb, the trail dips down into Tonto basin—a sprawling river gorge flanked by desert mountain peaks. After about a half-mile of hiking, the sycamore-and-cottonwood-lined river channel is visible below the trail. The floodplain is massive—sinuous, wide and feeding a healthy band of green where birds of all sorts populate the trees and shorelines. The road we followed ends roughly a quarter mile from the creek. At this point, it became necessary to plot many waypoints and build elaborate cairns so we would be able to find our way back through the dense mesquite bosque and clusters of sycamore and cottonwood trees. Exploring along the creek is a blast. There are lots of reed-choked coves, riffles, fishin’ holes and sandy beaches to hold your interest. Although we found some corral ruins and a pipe that may have been a well; we doubt it was the Indian Farm described in the book. No matter; it was a great day on the trail. LENGTH: 6 miles round trip ELEVATION: 1550-3,036 feet RATING: moderate hiking, difficult route-finding IMPORTANT NOTE: this trail is closed December thru June to protect nesting native birds. GETTING THERE: From Phoenix, go north on Highway 87 to the Gisela Road (FR 417) which is located just north of milepost 239. Turn right onto FR 417 and then take the first right onto FR 184. Follow FR 184 for 3.8 miles to FR 1434, a steep Jeep road on the left side of the road. (if you get to the metal bridge, you have gone too far). Park in the turnoffs along FR 417. THE HIKE: From FR 417, hike uphill along FR 1434. 1st junction: stay right and go downhill. 2nd Junction: continue straight down a narrow road. Cross a wash. 3rd Junction: near the 1-mile point, stay straight. The spur trail on the right leads to a scenic campsite over Tonto Creek and is worth the quarter-mile it adds to the trip. 4th Junction: at a wash, go left, then take an immediate right on to the road that heads uphill. 5th Junction: cross the wash and continue straight. 6th Junction: go straight. After the 6th junction, the trail narrows and heads steeply downhill on a twisting path that leads to a sandy wash at the edger of the flood plain. Here is where route finding becomes critical. Mark your path and bush whack your way down to the creek. From here, head north, making up your adventure as you go.

PARSONS TRAIL

2023 UPDATE: THIS TRAIL HAS BEEN HEAVILY DAMAGED BY FIRES, IS IN TERRIBLE CONDITION AND THE FOREST SERVICE  IS NO LONGER MAINTAINING IT. The cool spring water that gurgles to the surface year-round in the  lower portion of Sycamore Canyon attracts a motley crew of outdoor enthusiasts.  Popular with the locals and out-of-towners alike, you are bound to run into hikers, backpackers, bird watchers, rambunctious kids, ecstatic Labrador retrievers and the occasional  group of skinny dippers.  Most of the commotion ends after the first mile where the going gets a bit too rough for casual visitors.  The trail begins with  a steep, 300-foot descent into the canyon (remember this for the way back) and is marked by a series of sometimes hard-to-find carins made of river rock wired into 50-gallon drum-size cylinders.  Rains and floods change the terrain frequently, so it's smart to pay attention along the route which includes numerous creek-crossings. Dense riparian vegetation, including wild grapes, holly, squash and cattails, flourishes in the moist sandy soil around the seep areas and springs.  There are several deep pools, suitable for swimming an done of the best is nestled in a beautiful cover surrounded by limestone ledges under a canopy of sycamore and walnut trees.

LENGTH:  7.4 miles round trip

RATING: easy

ELEVATION GAIN: 300 feet

GETTING THERE:

From Phoenix, go north on I-17 for 90 miles to exit 287 (Highway 260).  Go west on Hwy. 260 

to the town of Cottonwood.  From there, go straight through town on Main St and Broadway (aka Highway 89A) following the signs to Tuzigoot National Monument.  Turn right onto thesighed Road to Tuzigoot and continue for less than a half-mile, cross the Verde River Bridge and then take the first left onto  Sycamore Canyon Road (CR 139).  The road turns into maintained dirt and merges with FR 131.  Continue on FR 131 for 10.5 miles to the trailhead.

NELSON TRAIL-PINE MOUNTAIN

NELSON TRAIL

Pine Mountain Wilderness 

Although the Nelson's don't live there anymore, remnants of their abandoned homestead still can be found in lichen-encrusted stone walls, some rusty metal "parts" of dubious origin and a bed of yellow hybrid tea roses.  An amazing variety of trees, including oak, juniper, maple, mahogany, sycamore and thin leaf alders shade the trail  as it winds through the ruins that lay crumbling along Sycamore Creek drainage.  The canopy harbors myriad wild birds and their disjointed harmonies collide and blend with notes of tea rose and pine on the wind. Along the way, listen for sounds of spring water percolating to the surface in the shallow pools that stand at the base of gigantic sycamores.  There's also a field where vines of wild gourds sprawl willy-nilly and sometimes cross the path.  At about the 2-mile point, the route intersects the signed Willow Springs junction.  From here, it's possible to follow connecting trails to the summit of Pine Mountain, however, due to fire damage and notoriously unreliable signage, it is necessary to do some serious of pre-hike map-plotting in order to stay on course.  Casual hikers should double back at the junction.

LENGTH: 4 miles round trip

RATING:  moderate

ELEVATION GAIN: 600 feet

GETTING THERE:

From Phoenix, go north on I-17 to the Dugas exit (FR 68, which is located 5 miles north of of the Cordes Junction interchange).  Turn left onto FR 68 and follow the tiny "68" signs east for 

19 miles to the Salt Flat campground, which is little more than a turn out in the road with a dilapidated outhouse.  FR 68 is a deeply-rutted dirt road with one shallow creek crossing.  A high-clearance vehicle is required; 4 x 4 if the road is wet.

ABINEAU-BEAR JAW LOOP

ABINEAU-BEAR JAW Kachina Peaks Wilderness Known for its carousel of changing views and ecosystems, the Abineau-Bear Jaw loop is among the most popular hikes in the Flagstaff area. The trail’s multiple personality can be experienced several ways, although most hikers prefer to tackle the tougher part first by beginning on the Abineau trail. From the signed trailhead (8,500 feet of elevation), the path heads up Abineau Canyon and climbs steeply on rugged terrain through dense conifer forests. Rocky Mountain irises, penstemon and daisies wash the slopes in vivid hues of violet, orange and yellow and soften the devastating effects of a February 2005 avalanche that scoured a large portion of the upper trail. At the two-mile point (10,400 feet), the trail meets the talus slopes below Humphreys Peak and the junction with an old dirt road. From there, views of the volcanic fields of northern Arizona are breathtaking. To connect with the Bear Jaw trail, follow the dirt road (also shown as the Waterline or Pipeline road on some maps) downhill for 2 miles and look for the easy-to-miss sign on the left. Along the Bear Jaw trail, the forest changes from conifer to mostly aspens and alpine meadows. The trail is a bit treacherous in spots, so, proceed with care and enjoy the fact that it’s all down hill back to the trailhead. LENGTH: 6.7 mile loop RATING: difficult ELEVATION: 8,500- 10,400 feet GETTING THERE:
EAST ACCESS:  From Phoenix, take I-17 north to Flagstaff. Once in Flagstaff, drive north on Highway 89 for 12 miles to FR 420, which is across from the turnoff for Sunset Crater. Continue on FR 420 for about a half-mile and then turn right onto FR 552. Follow FR 552 to FR 418 and turn right. Continue on FR 418 for about 7 miles to FR 9123J. Turn left onto FR 9123J and drive another 1.2 miles to the trailhead. The dirt roads are accessible by sedan, but a high-clearance vehicle is recommended.
WEST ACCESS:

From Flagstaff, go 19.5 miles north on US 180 to milepost 235.2, turn right onto Hart Prairie Road (north access of FR 151), go 1.6 miles to FR 418, turn left and continue to the signed turn off for Bear Jaw (FR9123J) on the right near the 3-mile marker and follow the signs 0.6 mile to the trailhead. FR 151, 418 and 9123J are maintained dirt, suitable for sedan, but high clearance is recommended.
INFO: Flagstaff Ranger District, Coconino National Forest, 928-526-0866, http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/recreation/peaks/abineau-bear-jaw-tr.shtml

DEVIL'S BRIDGE

DEVIL’S BRIDGE Red Rock Secret Mountain Wilderness Whatever you do, don’t let the fact that you’ll have to bump elbows with camera-toting tourists and jockey for a parking spot at the trailhead deter you from visiting the natural sandstone arch known as Devils Bridge. Untold bazillions of visitors can’t be wrong, and it’s easy to see why this trail is one of Sedona’s most popular hiking destinations. Despite the crowds, a sense of wilderness prevails. Majestic pine trees, desert scrub and colorful wildflowers decorate the sandy, red-earth path and accentuate dramatic views. Beneath the soaring bridge, brisk canyon breezes and mottled rays of sunlight funnel through the sandstone and play on the stratified walls of the high-desert canyon. Near the end of the easy-to-follow trail, an obvious spur path leads to the top of the arch where sights touch the soul and the roar of the wind hushes the din of the crowds. LENGTH: 2 miles round-trip RATING: moderate ELEVATION: 4607' - 4800'   FEE: A Red Rock Pass ($5 daily fee per vehicle) is required. Available at many retail outlets in Oak Creek and Sedona. GETTING THERE: From the junction of Highway 179 and Highway 89A in Sedona, turn left onto Highway 89A and continue for 3.2 miles to Dry Creek Road. Turn right onto Dry Creek Road (Forest Road 152C) and continue for 2 miles to the turn off for Forest Road 152 on the right. Continue on FR-152 (maintained dirt) for about a mile to the signed parking area for Devil’s Bridge.

WILSON MOUNTAIN

WILSON MOUNTAIN NORTH TRAIL #123 Red Rock Secret Mountain Wilderness, Sedona NOTE: THE PHOTOS IN THIS POST SHOW THE MOUNTAIN JUST MONTHS BEFORE THE June 2006 BRINS FIRE TOOK OUT MOST OF THE VEGETATION . SINCE THEN , THE TRAIL HAS BEEN RESTORED AND DESPITE THE LOSS OF TREES, IT'S STILL A GREAT HIKING DESTINATION. Other trails damaged by this fire include: Sterling Pass and Brins Mesa. A pleasant alternative to the more popular Wilson Mountain South trail that starts in the lot just past Midgley Bridge, the alternate north route has many advantages. First, it’s shady for most of the way. It’s slightly longer than the south route, but it’s got 100 feet less elevation gain ( a big advantage at high altitude). Encinoso waterfall sometimes flows after heavy rain and during snow melt (visible at about the .25 mile point on the first ridge.). Most of the strenuous climbing is crammed into a half-mile canyon-bound segment it’s pretty steep and in some places the trail is just inches from the precipice. The canyon winds are a constant companion, whipping up from a thousand feet below and accelerated by the narrow canyon walls. At about the 3-mile point, the trail levels out onto a wide bench with remarkable views of Oak Creek Canyon and intersects the Wilson South trail. From there, the trail is now known as the Wilson Mtn trail, and with most of the hard climbing behind, the final mile climbs 800 feet to the top. The summit is huge and there are two paths that lead to lookout points: one overlooks Sedona , the other overlooks the Oak Creek Canyon. LENGTH: 6.8 miles round trip (including side trips to the view points) ELEVATION GAIN: 4,600- 7, 000 feet RATING: difficult GETTING THERE: From Phoenix, go north on I-17 to the Sedona exit Highway 179. Turn east onto Highway 179 and continue into the town of Sedona. At the junction of Highway 179 and Highway 89A (the “Y” intersection) turn right onto Highway 89A and continue for 5.3 miles to the Encinoso picnic area on the left. Access roads are paved all the way and there are restrooms at the trailhead. The hike starts at the signed kiosk at the north end of the picnic area.