APACHE VISTA

APACHE VISTA Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest UPDATE: This trail has been damaged by the WALLOW FIRE, June 2011. Check with the forest service for updates.  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. INFORMATION: www.fs.fed.us/r3/asnf (928) 333-4372

BIG LAKE LOOKOUT

BIG LAKE LOOKOUT Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest

UPDATE:

This trail was impacted by the WallowFire on June 4, 2011. This scenic spur route leaves the Indian Springs Trail at a signed junction located about a half-mile from the trailhead. Adding a heart-pumping extra mile to the loop hike described below, the short but steep trail leads to the site of the former 30-foot-tall, 1930s-era fire tower. Situated at 9,415 feet, the tower was anchored into a rocky outcropping high above the Big Lake recreation area. Although the tower is gone,  excellent views make this side trip worth the extra effort. LENGTH: 2 miles round-trip (if done as an out-an-back hike from the trailhead). RATING: moderate ELEVATION GAIN: 315 feet GETTING THERE: see Indian Springs entry below

INDIAN SPRINGS LOOP

INDIAN SPRINGS LOOP Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest

2012 UPDATE: Trail is open and hikers that report damage from the June 2011 Wallow Fire is not too bad.  Peppered with remnants of mid-twentieth century logging and railroad operations, this forested loop hike is rich in discovery. Set in a peaceful high-country environment, the trail embarks on a journey through history. Sights along the way include depression-era water troughs, an old cinder-bed railroad grade, cattle guards and a colorful display of gigantic wild mushrooms. The mostly-level trail weaves among refreshing timberlands and fragrant meadows crossing forest roads three times until the loop comes full-circle back at the trailhead. LENGTH: 7.5-mile loop RATING: moderate ELEVATION GAIN: 300 feet GETTING THERE: From downtown Eagar, go west on Highway 260 for roughly 3 miles to Highway 261. Turn left (south) on Highway 261 and continue for about 16 miles to Highway 273. Go left on Highway 272 and continue nearly 3 miles to Forest Road 249E. Turn right on FR-249E and drive approximately a third-of-a-mile to the trailhead on the left. INFORMATION: fs.fed.us/r3/asnf (928) 333-4301

MAVERICK SPRING

MAVERICK SPRING Coronado National Forest This secondary path is a pleasant and shady detour to a secluded seep area. To find this hidden gem, start out on the Green Mountain trail and hike for roughly 1.5 miles to the sign for “Maverick Spring” (ignore the negative graffiti that’s scrawled onto the metal post) and continue downhill to a cozy enclave where canyon grapes and wild raspberries thrive in the damp soil. LENGTH: 0.8-mile side trip RATING: easy ELEVATION: 6000'-7300' GETTING THERE: see Green Mountain entry

GREEN MOUNTAIN

GREEN MOUNTAIN Coronado National Forest Clinging to the slopes along scenic Catalina Highway in Tucson, the Green Mountain trail winds through a wilderness of wind-sculpted granite boulders. The steep, rugged route rambles among bizarre stone outcroppings--never straying far from the edge of the mountain and views of the yawning San Pedro River Valley below. Recent wildfires in the area (Ignore my personal snark: “there is no global warming, there is no global warming” ) have destroyed large portions of the forests that formerly shaded the trail. However, the spectacular vistas that have opened up as a result, make up for the loss. To really appreciate this trail, be sure to explore the spur paths that lead to lookout points on the cliffs where dizzying views of the surrounding mountain ranges fill the horizon. Even though this trail hovers between 6,000 and 7,300 feet in elevation, it still gets very warm in the summer months so, it’s best to plan an early start. LENGTH: 7.2 miles round-trip RATING: difficult ELEVATION: 6000' - 7300' FEE: $5 daily fee per vehicle. Exact change is required at the self-serve pay station. GETTING THERE: From Phoenix, take Interstate 10 to Tucson. In Tuscon, exit I-10 at Grant Road (exit 256). Go left on Grant Road and continue to Tanque Verde Road. Go left on Tanque Verde and continue to the turn off for Catalina Highway. Follow Catalina Highway for about 22 miles to the Upper Green Mountain trailhead (just before the San Pedro Vista Lookout area). INFORMATION: fs.fed.us/r3/Coronado (520) 388-8300

SEVENMILE GULCH

SEVENMILE GULCH #9854 Prescott National Forest Meandering in the forested woodlands above Prescott Valley, the Seven Mile Gulch trail delivers a variety of panoramic views. The shared-use trail is open to hikers, bikes, motorcycles and ATVs, and the rocky route is wide enough to accommodate the traffic. The hike begins with an easy stroll through a forest of Ponderosa pines, walnut, mahogany and a vigorous undergrowth of vines and wildflowers including hefty clumps of electric-orange skyrocket penstemones. After a short stretch, the path emerges from the woods and begins climbing up sun-drenched rolling hills. Among the acres of manzanita shrubs, Sacred Datura vines with their showy, white trumpet flowers bask in the sunlight while delicate prickly poppies thrive in shadier spots. The open section of the trail levels out at about 6,400 feet of elevation and serves up 360-degree views. To the north, the San Francisco Peaks stand out on the horizon and the bright blue swath of Lynx Lake shimmers in a ravine to the east. After that, the route continues to climb through scrub oak and pinon pine to the 6,700-foot junction with the Watershed Trail #299—the turnaround point for this hike. LENGTH: 6.2 miles round-trip RATING: moderate ELEVATION GAIN: 1,160 feet GETTING THERE: From Phoenix, travel north on I-17 for the Cordes Junction interchange. Go west on Highway 69 toward Prescott. Just before entering town, go left (south) on Walker Road (Country Road 57) and continue for 2 miles to the “Sevenmile” trailhead. Roads are paved all the way. No facilities. INFORMATION: (928) 771-4700 or fs.fed.us/r3/prescott

HIEROGLYPHIC CANYON

HIEROGLYPHIC CANYON 
Superstition Wilderness

 Not too many years ago, getting to Hieroglyphic Canyon in the Superstition Wilderness Area required some effort. A long approach, unclear route and an ever-encroaching quagmire of private property and access restrictions precluded all but the most robust and determined hikers from visiting the canyon and its treasure trove of ancient Hohokam rock art. Recently, the Superstition Area Land Trust (S.A.L.T.) and Pinal County worked together to make Hieroglyhic Canyon more accessible. Through their efforts, a developed trailhead and parking area sprung up where once only limited roadside pullouts served as parking spots. There’s even a porta potty now. At first blush, this was a wonderful accomplishment. These improvements opened up the area to thousands who would otherwise miss the opportunity to learn from and enjoy this national treasure. However, among the trail’s smartly designed informational signage, there’s not a word about the irreplaceable historical significance of the rock art. Archeologists believe the petroglyphs range in age from 2,000 to 200 years old. Images of animals, plants, humans and mysterious geometric designs pecked into the rock veneer give a rare and precious glimpse into the life and culture of Arizona’s native inhabitants. The glyphs are scattered across a segment of the canyon where water runs over stone terraces nearly year-round. It’s a beautiful sight to behold—natural, open and entirely exposed to vandalism and damage from careless visitors. We visited this area early in the morning of February 21, 2009 and arrived at the petroglyph site around 8:30 a.m. By 9:30, the canyon had become overrun with visitors, many of whom proceeded to demonstrate an absolute disregard for historic preservation by climbing on (ON, not around) the artifacts. Young children were allowed to ply the ancient etchings with peanut butter encrusted fingers while cell phone wielding teens teetered atop an elegant set of animal drawings, chattering like baboons as the soles of their shoes chafed the delicate art. Granted, much of this behavior may be happening because people simply do not understand the rock art’s significance and fragility. In fact, while we were there, we conducted an informal query of the perpetrators and found that some of them had no idea the petroglyphs were “real”. Because of all the interspersed modern graffiti, one man assumed that all of the markings were the work of latter-day hoodlums. As the canyon swelled with droves of careless explorers, I struggled with a churning mix of anger, sadness and an urge to scream “get off the friggin petroglyphs!” Instead of making an ass out of myself, I wrote this diatribe—which makes me feel better, but does little to solve problem. You can help by educating your friends, families and co-workers about historical site preservation. Send them the link to this blog posting and the link to the Archeological Site Etiquette Guide shown below. Also, feel free to pester the following agencies at will.

LENGTH:  3 miles round trip
RATING: easy
ELEVATION: 2,050-' 2,620'
GETTING THERE:
From Phoenix, take US 60 east to Apache Junction.  Between milesposts 202 and 203, turn left onto Kings Ranch Road and go 2.8 miles to Baseline Road.  Turn right and follow Baseline 0.3 mile to Mohican, turn left, go 0.3 miles to Valley View.  Turn left and follow Valley View (turns into Whitetail Road) to Cloudview Ave, turn right and continue 0.5 mile to the trailhead.
INFO: Tonto National Forest
http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/tonto/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=35483&actid=50
Archeological Site Etiquette Guide: http://azstateparks.com/SHPO/etiquette.html Superstition Area Land Trust (S.A.L.T.) http://www.azsalt.org/ Arizona Archeological Society http://www.azarchsoc.org/phoenixchapter.html

PICACHO PEAK

HUNTER TRAIL Picacho Peak State Park You’ve got to be just a little bit “nuts” to hike to the top of Picacho Peak. Visible for miles along Interstate-10, the imposing heap of lava looks insurmountable. However, the Hunter Trail, with its network of cables bolted into bare rock, guides adventurous hikers to the top. While climbing up along the vertical hardware, you may find yourself questioning your sanity. That’s because most humans have a built-in fear of heights. Squirrels, on the other hand, do not share this trait. The peak’s resident critters seem to enjoy pestering hikers as they toil up the trail. But, don’t be too concerned -- they’re more interested in the snacks in your backpack than testing your mental fortitude. The exhausting climb to the summit rewards with expansive panoramas of the surrounding desert. From the top, Interstate-10 looks like a desolate pale ribbon leading to nowhere. While ogling the views, be sure to keep an eye on your gear or else a nut-loving squirrel might ambush your backpack and run off with your trail mix. LENGTH: 4 miles round-trip ELEVATION GAIN: 1,374 feet RATING: difficult GETTING THERE: From Phoenix, drive 75 miles south on I-10 to exit 219, Picacho Road. Once inside the park, follow the main road to the turnoff for Bartlett Loop. The trail starts at the picnic area at the north side of the loop. Wear boots with good traction and bring non-slip gloves to protect your hands on the cables. Fees: $6 daily fee per vehicle. Information: pr.state.az.us/Parks/parkhtml/picacho (520) 466-3183

QUARTZ RIDGE

QUARTZ RIDGE TRAIL #8 Phoenix Mountains Preserve Meandering in the arid foothills and washes beneath Piestewa Peak, the Quartz Ridge trail leads to great views of the Valley--without a lot of uphill climbing. The jewel of this short but interesting trail in the Phoenix Mountains Preserve is a minivan-size chunk of glistening, white quartz nestled in gully full of stony rubble. The crumbling rocks in the area are among the oldest on earth. Some date back billions of years to the era when our planet was transitioning from a mass of molten lava into solidified landmasses that would eventually become the continents. Flecks of mica imbedded in the decomposing stone act like tiny mirrors bouncing sunlight off the spindly palo verde trees, cactuses and creosote bushes that line the path, which tops out at on a sunny, open ridgeline. There, in the shadow of the second highest peak in Phoenix, a breath-taking panorama of a sprawling desert city melts into the horizon. LENGTH: 5 miles round-trip ELEVATION GAIN: 220 feet RATING: easy-moderate GETTING THERE: From Shea Boulevard in North Phoenix, turn south on 40th Street and continue to the end of the road and the trailhead parking area. The trailhead is open daily from 5 a.m. to sunset. Information: Vist, ci.phoenix.az.us/PARKS/hikphgud.html or call (602) 262-7901

BUTCHER JONES TRAIL

BUTCHER JONES TRAIL Saguaro Lake Tonto National Forest Wrapping around the mountains and valleys surrounding one of Arizona’s most popular lakeside recreation areas, Butcher Jones trail offers a surprisingly peaceful hiking experience. However, getting to the “peaceful” part requires some effort. That’s because the first half-mile of the trail is usually congested with anglers, weekend picnic groups, rambunctious kids and manic water dogs. After that, though, the trail emerges from the commotion and climbs exposed desert ridges for spectacular views of the hillsides that form both the harbors and beaches of Saguaro Lake. High points along this gracefully undulating ribbon-like trail hover above cattail-choked coves and pebble strewn beaches with reflections of Four Peaks shimmering in the rich blue waters of the lake. In order to really appreciate the beauty of this trail, be sure to explore the spur paths that plunge to secluded shorelines and shady coves where silken, lazy waves lap at the bases of mesquite bosques and massive forests of saguaro cactuses. LENGTH: 5 miles round-trip RATING: moderate ELEVATION GAIN: 400 feet GETTING THERE: From Phoenix, go north on Highway 87 (Beeline Highway) to Forest Road 204 (Bush Highway). Continue on the Bush Highway for 3 miles, turn right (east) onto Forest Road 166 and go another 2 miles to the Butcher Jones Recreation Site. The signed trailhead is located at the beach near the dock. FEE: A Tonto Pass ($6 daily fee per vehicle) is required. Information: visit fs.fed.us/r3/tonto or call (602) 225-5200

LAVA RIVER CAVE

LAVA RIVER CAVE Coconino National Forest As the Valley swelters in a 100-degree inferno, a subterranean cave where temperatures hover around a brisk 40 degrees all year, beckons heat-weary hikers. Located just 2 hours north of Phoenix in a stand of unassuming Ponderosa pines, the dungeon-like entrance to Lava River Cave spews inviting, cool air. Deep, dark and stony, the 700,000-year-old lava tube lacks the musty, clammy ambiance one might expect. A brief scramble down some boulders to get to the cave floor is a bit tricky, but with long pants and sturdy footwear, not too difficult. The 3/4-mile-long natural wonder winds through absolute darkness over fissured, molten “rivers” and the walls bear the marks of escaping volcanic gasses and hellish temperatures. About half way in, the river divides. One route is a tight fit; the other resembles a medieval cathedral. Both paths lead to the end of the cave, where, although warmer than the temperatures at the entrance, a jacket is required. LENGTH: 1.5 miles roundtrip RATING: Easy. You will need to bring two reliable light sources. ELEVATION GAIN: -100 GETTING THERE: Drive 9 miles north of Flagstaff on US 180 and turn west (left) on FR 245. Continue 3 miles to FR 171 and turn (left) south. Go 1 mile to FR 171B and turn left.

MONTEZUMA WELL

MONTEZUMA WELL National Monument Roughly 11,000 years ago near the present day town of McGuireville, the earth fell out from under the arid countryside forming a sinkhole where tepid water from subterranean springs collects in a 55-foot deep limestone cavern. Beginning in the 10th century, Sinagua Indians inhabited the area around Montezuma Well, taking advantage of the perennial waters by building canals to nourish their crops. Today, many well-preserved artifacts of this farming culture can be seen in the cliffs, caves and ridges that ring the well site. An easy third-mile trail lined with interpretive signage, takes visitors on a trip through history while the more difficult Well Outlet Trail explores the swallet (an opening through which a stream goes underground) and a prehistoric irrigation ditch along the banks of Beaver Creek.  
HIGHLIGHTS: Easy trail with educational signs, cliff dwelling ruins and lots to explore. LENGTH: third-mile loop  
RATING: Easy. The paved rim trail is stroller and wheelchair friendly. ELEVATION: 3,651’ - 3,681’ DOGS: Park rules require that dogs stay on leash you clean up after your pet and keep him/her off the ruins, on trails and out of the water. Driving distance from Phoenix: 106 miles one-way GETTING THERE: From Phoenix, go north on I-17 to the McGuireville exit #293. Follow the signs for roughly 6 miles to the parking area. Admission is free, however, there’s an entrance fee at sister attraction Montezuma Castle located a few mile south off I-17. INFO: (928) 567-4521 or http://nps.gov/moca
USGS ARTICLE about Montezuma Well: http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2011/1063/

FOREST ROAD 48

FOREST ROAD 48 Tonto National Forest There's really no plan here....just use the road as your arterial route and indulge your inner wild. LENGTH: 5+ miles roundtrip (optional exploratory) RATING: moderate (route-finding skills are required) ELEVATION GAIN: 200 - 800 feet depending on your mood FEE: There’s a $3 per person entry fee. The self-pay station requires exact change. GETTING THERE: To reach the Spur Cross trailhead, From Loop 101, exit at Cave Creek Road and drive north for approximately 15 miles to Spur Cross Ranch Road. 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: From the Spur Cross Conservation Area trailhead, follow the Spur Cross Trail north for roughly 2 miles to the Skull Mesa trailhead. From there, continue north on FR 48, tread lightly and explore at will. INFORMATION: Maricopa.gov/parks/spur_cross or (480) 488-6601