RED ROCK STATE PARK

RED ROCK STATE PARK Sedona Talk about diversity! This 286-acre park really packs in the eye candy in one compact, family-friendly, educational and stunningly beautiful slice of Oak Creek Canyon. More than 10 miles of well-planned, easy-to-follow trails (there are signs with maps at nearly every junction) make for effortless exploring. A dozen routes range in difficulty from the wheelchair & stroller accessible Mesquite Loop to the Eagle's Nest Trail which climbs 300-feet to a scenic lookout above the park. A good introduction to the park trail system is to make a loop hike with the Smoke, Kisva and Eagle's Nest trails. This combo is roughly 5 miles and some change in length and takes you over 3 wooden bridges that span the rushing waters and riparian life zone of Oak Creek and also to the park's yucca-and-cypress-studded high point where interpretive signs explain key features of Sedona's unique geology visible on the horizon. Your seven buck per vehicle entry fee gets you a trail map plus access to free interpretive programs and clean restrooms. LENGTH: 12 trails, 10.3 miles combined RATING: easy & accessible to moderate ELEVATION: 3,880 - 4,080 feet FEES: $10 daily fee per vehicle (up to 4 adults), $3 bike or hike in.   GETTING THERE: From the "Y" intersection of Highways 179 and 89A in Sedona, go left (toward Cottonwood) on Highway 89A for 5.5 miles to Lower Red Rock Loop Road and follow the signs 3.3 miles to Red Rock State Park. INFORMATION: http://azstateparks.com/Parks/RERO/, (928) 282-6907

WOODCHUTE MOUNTAIN

WOODCHUTE MOUNTAIN TRAIL Woodchute Wilderness Area Cooler temperatures and shorter days work together to paint the oak trees on Woodchute Mountain in a palette orange and gold. The mountain is really more of a long ridgeline with Prescott Valley on one side and grand views of the red cliffs of Sedona and the peaks of Flagstaff on the other. Easy-to-follow, trail No. 102 ascends the mountain in a gently meandering style that swings from east to west showcasing vistas of much of northern Arizona. The hike culminates with an easy stroll across a breezy high prairie that dead-ends at the steep east face of the mountain. Here, blood-red maples and honey-colored scrub oaks frame views of Jerome and the Verde Valley. LENGTH: 7.4 miles roundtrip RATING: moderate ELEVATION: 7,000 – 7,700 feet GETTING THERE: From Jerome, go 7 miles southwest on Highway 89A to the turn off for Potato Patch Campground. Turn right and continue .3 mile to the signed road for the Woodchute trailhead on the left and follow it to a parking loop with restrooms. Those without a high clearance vehicle should park here. To find the trailhead, head right (east) and hike or drive (high clearance needed) up Forest Road 106 (also signed as FR 102/106) for a half-mile to the wilderness sign and trail register. If you opt to hike the road, add 1 mile to the trip length above. INFORMATION: http://fs.fed.us/r3/prescott/recreation/trails/chino/woodchute102.shtml NOTE: The Woodchute Fire of Aug-Sept 2009 resulted in the temporary closure of Trail102. Check with the forest service before hiking this trail. Photos shown here are from October 2008. For current information on fire restrictions or wildfires visit http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/prescott or call the Prescott National Forest fire information line at 928-777-5799.

NORTH MINGUS TRAIL

NORTH MINGUS TRAIL Prescott National Forest An eclectic mix of scenery and forests are the highlights of the North Mingus Trail No.105. Although there are two trailheads for this route, most hikers choose to start at the top of Mingus Mountain and hike downhill. That’s because the route is easier to follow when hiked in this direction. Right from the start, this popular trail will “wow” you with magnificent views from atop a pine-shaded hang glider launch pad. Here, the rugged Verde Valley rolls out 1,600 feet below. The hike begins with a pleasant stroll across the mountain summit under a canopy of warm gold Gambel oaks huddling beneath enormous conifirs. After this short “warm up” section, the trail dips downhill along the north face through colorful corridors of Bigtooth maples, boxelders and velvet ash. Soon, the path enters an enchanting passage where a mass of volcanic boulders cascade down a slender slot canyon where vertical stony walls and a stand of aspens thrive in the cooler microclimate. Past the aspen grove, the trail enters a more arid clime with intermittent sections of grasslands, fields of agave and ridgelines studded with whispy mountain mahogany. An abandoned mine marks the point where the trail merges with an old Jeep road that leads downhill to Mescal Spring, the turnaround point for the hike. This trail also can be hiked one-way using a car shuttle at each trailhead. LENGTH: 8.5 miles roundtrip RATING: moderate ELEVATION: 6,000 – 7,800 feet GETTING THERE: Mingus Mountain trailhead: From Jerome, go 7 miles southwest on Highway 89A to Mingus Mountain Road (Forest Road 104). Turn left and continue on FR 104 for 2.4 miles to where it ends at a “T” intersection in the campground. Turn left here and go uphill to the trailhead near the hang glider launch pad. Mescal Spring trailhead: From Jerome, go 4 miles southwest on Highway 89A. Just before sign for Prescott National Forest, between mileposts 339 and 338, turn left onto an unmarked dirt road (Forest Road 338). FR 338 is a very rough 4x4 road so those without appropriate vehicles should park in the turnouts along the highway. Continue down FR 338 for a half-mile to the cement tank that marks Mescal Spring. From here, veer right (southwest) and go uphill. Bear left at all unmarked junctions until you reach the signed turn off for trail No. 105 on the right. This route adds one mile to the hike description above. INFORMATION: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/prescott/recreation/recarea/?recid=67589

VIEW POINT TRAIL

VIEW POINT TRAIL Prescott National Forest A traipse through an archway of golden Gamble oaks sets the stage for the hallmark mountain vistas and brilliant foliage of the View Point Trail No. 106. Beyond this “grand entrance” the slender path begins its gradual descent along the east face of Mingus Mountain weaving through a mixed bag of terrain including exposed juniper-agave high desert and pine-oak forests fringed with Bigtooth maples. From the trail’s high vantage point, the towns of Jerome and Cottonwood appear like scribbles on a map far below while the course of the Verde River paints a lazy swath of green on a brown landscape. Just past the 1.3-mile mark, at the junction for trail 105A, the route makes a severe dip into the canyon. It’s here where the hike rating goes from moderate to difficult as the path clamors roughly 700 feet downhill on loose rocks to the turn around point at Allen Springs Road. Casual hikes can opt to stay on the high road and make the junction their turnaround point instead. LENGTH: 4 miles roundtrip RATING: moderate-difficult ELEVATION: 7,800 – 6,000 feet GETTING THERE: From Jerome, go 7 miles southwest on Highway 89A to Mingus Mountain Road (Forest Road 104). Turn left and continue on FR 104 for 2.4 miles to where it ends at a “T” intersection in the campground. Take an immediate left and park in the circular turnout near the “106” trail sign. FEE: $2 per person daily fee. Bring exact change for the self-serve permit kiosk. INFORMATION: fs.fed.us/r3/prescott/recreation/trails/verde/viewpt106.shtml

HINKLE SPRING

HINKLE SPRING TRAIL From its shaded, riverside access point to the high pastures above Blue River Canyon, the Hinkle Spring Trail #30 is a gateway to a seldom-seen tour of one of the most remote areas of Eastern Arizona. The trail, which is still used to drive cattle from the canyon floor to rim-top grazing areas, has some faint, difficult-to-follow segments marked only by tree blazes and occasional rock carins. This provides a good excuse to slow down and savor the sights. Ducking in and out of canyons and forests, the upper portion of the trail features outstanding views of the eastern reaches of the Blue Range Primitive Area. In addition to the route-finding requirements, hikers will encounter a few steep switchbacks and some fallen trees, before reaching the reliable waters and corral of Hinkle Spring, the turnaround point for this trip. LENGTH: 9 miles roundtrip RATING: moderate ELEVATION: 5,700 – 7,220 feet GETTING THERE: From Alpine, drive 3.5 miles east on Highway 180 to Blue River Road (a.k.a. Country Road 2104 or Forest Road 281). Go south on this good dirt road and continue 21.3 miles to the signed trailhead on the left side of the road. Those with a high clearance vehicle can opt to ford Blue River and park further up the road.

Rim Lakes Vista Trail

Rim Lake Vista Trail #622 This popular trail offers easy access to Rim country fall hiking. Following a level, mostly-paved route situated just a few feet from the rim’s edge, this path is open to the sky and exposed to crisp, canyon breezes. Among the jumbled boulders that crowd the edge of the escarpment, are clusters of low growing oak trees that teeter precariously over the precipice, shedding a flurry of golden leaves into the canyon 1000 feet below. In addition to unobstructed views and the colorful oaks, sun-drenched glens along the trail foster wildflowers that bloom profusely well into mid-October. Length: 3.5 miles one way Rating: easy with paved, accessible segments Elevation: 7,500 feet Peak fall color: early October Getting there: From Payson, go east (right) on Highway 260 for 30 miles to Rim Road (Forest Road 300, which is located across from the Rim Visitor Center). The trailhead is located along FR 300 between mileposts 39 and 40. Information: Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, Black Mesa District, (928) 535-7300, fs.fed.us/r3/asnf/recreation/black_mesa_trails/trl_chv_rimvista.shtml

LOWER FIRST WATER CREEK

LOWER FIRST WATER CREEK Superstition Wilderness Marked only by a dirt turnout along Highway 88 near Canyon Lake, the Canyon Overlook “trailhead” is the gateway to a short but spectacular hike into First Water Canyon. A moderately steep decent along informal trails leads to the canyon floor. From there, the route involves picking your way through a sandy wash flanked by walls of volcanic rock laced with taffy-like bands of red jasper. The wash culminates at a finger cove of Canyon Lake where an unexpected stand of cottonwood trees and a dry waterfall are the feature attractions. FINDING THE TRAIL: This trail can be a challenge to follow for inexperienced hikers. To find the start point from the parking area, walk over to the telephone pole nearest the road. With your back to the road and the pole immediately in front of you, head right and pick up the beaten path that heads downhill into the ravine. The route follows a maze of paths-of-use marked by occasional cairns and worn segments of footpaths. Once at the barbed wire fence that denotes the wilderness boundary, head left (north) and follow the creek bed veering left where the canyon splits near a pair of giant boulders. From here, follow the canyon to the cove. Return the way you came. LENGTH: 1 mile round-trip RATING: moderate ELEVATION: 2,000 – 1,676 feet (324 feet) DRIVING DIRECTION TO THE TRAILHEAD: From Phoenix, take Highway 60 east to the Idaho Road exit. Go left at the light and follow Highway 88 for 12 miles to the road turnout at milepost 208. INFORMATION: This is an unofficial trail. Refer to the Superstition Wilderness topo map.

3 FALL HIKES

Looking for more FALL FOLIAGE hiking destinations in Arizona? Then, pick up a copy of PHOENIX magazine’s October 2009 issue. Inside you’ll find 3 trails (personally hiked, reviewed and photographed by yours truly) . In addition, your $3.95 investment will also get you the skinny on the Valley’s best places to eat and primer for locating BIG FOOT (and other wild things) in Arizona. This issue will be available in over 800 stores Valleywide beginning, Sept 26, 2009. You can also order by phone beginning SEPT 16. Here’s where you can find PHOENIX magazine: Safeway Fry’s Marketplace Wal-Mart Costco Sam’s Club Sunflower Markets Sprouts Borders Barnes & Noble CVS Walgreens Sky Harbor Airport Albertson’s Fresh & Easy Lowe’s Home Depot Target Whole Foods Basha’s A.J.’s La Grande Orange The Kitchen Area hospital gift shops WEB SITE: http://www.phoenixmag.com/ ORDER BY PHONE: 480-664-3960

WATER WHEEL FIRE

EAST VERDE-ELLISON CREEK LOOP Tonto National Forest, North of Payson  Located in the rugged gorges below the Mogollon Rim, these two waterways feed a band of green surrounded by Ponderosa pines, sycamores, willows and Gambel oaks. Although the  2009 Water Wheel Fire burned much of the surround woodlands, there's still plenty of shade and beauty in the waterways.  Couple that with easy, close-to-town access and it’s no wonder this mountain getaway attracts droves of weekend warriors.  The unofficial route clamours up among the sculpted walls of a waterfall-filled box canyon to the confluence of the East Verde River and Ellison Creek. From here wade over the cascades of Ellison Creek and follow the water to a magnificent 40-foot waterfall.  WATER WHEEL FIRE STATS: Start date: August 30, 2009 Containment date: Sept. 5, 2009 Size: 773 acres Cause: under investigation
LENGTH: 1.5 miles one-way
RATING: moderate, scrambling, creek crossing
ELEVATION: 4880' - 5000'
GETTING THERE:
From Payson, travel 2 miles north on SR 87 to Houston Mesa Road (FR 199), turn right and continue to 7 miles to the First Crossing parking apron on the right.  Other access points on FR 199 from SR87 are:
First Crossing: 7 miles
Water Wheel: 7.5 miles
Second Crossing: 8 miles
Third Crossing: 8.5 miles

MAP:
http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5208054.pdf

FLOWING SPRINGS

FLOWING SPRINGS Tonto National Forest Sand, sycamores and limestone escarpments along this informal fisherman’s path, make for an easy day hike with plenty to explore. Adventures await both up and downstream—just pick a direction and start hiking along the water. Although it’s short in length, long stretches of soft sand along the banks of the East Verde River give calf muscles a satisfying workout. With access to campgrounds and restrooms, this trail is a favorite destination for those with tots in tow. HIGHLIGHTS: scenic water hike with kid-friendly facilities LENGTH: 2 miles roundtrip RATING: easy ELEVATION RANGE: 4,460 – 4,500 feet DRIVING DISTANCE FROM PHOENIX: 108 miles one way GETTING THERE: From the junction of Highways 87 and 260 in Payson, go north on Highway 87 fro 4.6 miles to Flowing Springs Road, turn right and continue for a half-mile to the parking area on the left. INFORMATION: (928) 474-7900 fs.fed.us/r3/tonto/recreation/camping/tables/paysn_tbl.htm

EAST FORK TRAIL

EAST FORK TRAIL Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest The thin air above the town of Greer may get your lungs pumping, but it’s the views of Arizona’s White Mountains that will really take your breath away. This alpine passage begins where the West and East forks of the Little Colorado River drift off in opposite directions under a canopy of streamside alders and willows.. After an immediate wade across the West Fork, a short but steep haul up to 9,200-foot Amberon Point marks the most difficult portion of the hike. With the only major uphill grind of the hike out of the way, it becomes much easier to take in the relaxing alpine scenery that characterizes the remainder of the trail. Roughly paralleling the East Fork of the Little Colorado River, trail #95 meanders through a checkerboard of cienegas—marshy wetlands fed by springs, seeps and drainages—that foster acres of waist-high grasses and a colorful mix of flowering plants. Because of the vigorous vegetation in the cienegas, it’s easy to veer off track-- look for strategically placed trail posts to stay on course. Near the end of the route, the path follows the remnants of the Maverick Line of the Apache Railway that was used from the 1940s to the 1970s to transport logs to the McNary lumber mill. This final cinder-strewn segment of open country passes Colter reservoir before terminating at the Gabaldon campground at the boundary of Mount Baldy Wilderness. HIGHLIGHTS: Crisp, high-altitude mountain air with sweet vista views. LENGTH: 15 miles roundtrip RATING: moderate ELEVATION: 8,300' – 9,400'  DRIVING DISTANCE FROM PHOENIX: 245 miles one-way GETTING THERE: From the stoplight in Eagar, go west on Highway 260 for 9.6 miles to Highway 373. Go south (left) on 373 and continue 5.5 miles to the signed trailhead on the left. INFORMATION: 928-333-4301 fs.fed.us/r3/asnf/recreation/sprgrvlle_trails/trl_spr_efork.shtml

BUTLER CANYON

BUTLER CANYON Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest Ever wonder how long it takes for a log to decompose? Want to learn how to identify Bearberry Honeysuckle? These are just two examples of what you can learn on the Butler Canyon Trail #98. Informational signage and a booklet available at the trailhead kiosk can be used to navigate through the many points of interest along the easy loop trail through an outdoor classroom. UPDATE:
this trail sustained significant damage in the Wallow Fire, June 2011.
HIGHLIGHTS: easy, educational hike in the White Mountains LENGTH: 1-mile loop RATING: easy ELEVATION: 8,300' – 8,400' ' DRIVING DISTANCE FROM PHOENIX: 240 miles one-way GETTING THERE: From the stoplight in Eagar, go west on Highway 260 for 9.6 miles to Highway 373. Turn south (left) and go 4 miles on Highway 373 to County Road 1121, turn left and continue a short distance to the signed trailhead on the left. INFORMATION: 928-333-4301 fs.fed.us/r3/asnf/recreation/sprgrvlle_trails/trl_spr_butler.shtml Contact the ranger station about scheduled guided hikes and lectures.

CHARCOAL KILN

CHARCOAL KILN Prescott National Forest Budding architects will appreciate this short, history-rich trek in the foothills of the Bradshaw Mountains, which leads to a curious relic of the area’s gold mining heritage. This hike highlights one of the very few remaining intact kilns used to make fuel for smelter operations that flourished in the early 20th century. The 25-foot-tall stone structure resembles a beehive and was constructed entirely without mortar. HIGHLIGHTS: short hike to an historic architectural wonder LENGTH: quarter-mile roundtrip RATING: easy ELEVATION RANGE: 7,000 feet DRIVING DISTANCE FROM PHOENIX: 120 miles one-way 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 6.5 miles to Big Bug Mesa Road, turn right and continue .5 mile to Charcoal Kiln Road. Turn right here and go a short distance to the “303” trail; sign on the right side of the road. Stay clear of private driveways when parking along the road. INFORMATION: refer to the Prescott National Forest recreation map NOTE: this short trail is located close to the Mount Union hike and makes a nice side trip.

BEALE WAGON ROAD

BEALE WAGON ROAD Kaibab National Forest Once upon a time in old Arizona, camels worked side-by-side with horses and mules blazing wagon roads across the western territories. Today, wooden posts bearing chiseled images of dromedary profiles pay homage to the beasts that (kinda) helped construct the Beale Wagon Road. Back in the late 1800s, the desert-adapted beasts were imported to the States because they seemed like the perfect draft animals for working in the unforgiving, arid lands of the American frontier. Not. What nobody counted on was the fact that the worldview of the camels didn’t entirely embrace the need to cooperate with humans in their road-building efforts. By nature, camels are obstinate, uncooperative and consummate spitters with dead-on aim. As if spit wasn’t bad enough, historical accounts contain frequent references to the thick clouds of “foul aroma” that accompanied the camels wherever they went. Still, the natives of the Middle East managed to do enough work on the Beale Wagon Road to be immortalized on the trail markers that now denote the tread way. Under the direction of Navy Lieutenant Edward Beale, this historic causeway was commissioned by the military to provide a route from Fort Smith, Arkansas to the California border at the Colorado River. Abandoned when Route 66 was completed, the road nearly faded into oblivion before it was repurposed as a hiking trail. A work-in-progress, following this route requires good sleuthing skills. There’s no obvious path and the trail is marked only by a series of wooden posts, cairns and metal markers that leapfrog over the Kaibab plateau among wind-swept junipers and shards of 4-million-year-old volcanic glass which were deposited during the era when nearby Bill Williams Mountain was actively spewing lava. Still, history buffs and hard-core hikers alike will relish the great views and relative solitude along this obscure path. Although the west may not have been won entirely on the backs of camels, this trail preserves a singular slice of history when the foul-smelling spitters did their share of the work. HIGHLIGHTS: An historic mid-19th century wagon route with interesting trail markers and great views. LENGTH: 19.5 miles one way. (Easily hiked in segments) Rating: easy-moderate ELEVATION RANGE: 6,200’ – 7,200’ DRIVING DISTANCE FROM PHOENIX: 185 miles one-way GETTING THERE:  From Flagstaff, travel west on I-40 to exit 171 (Pittman Valley). Drive north on Forest Road 74 for 7.7 miles to Forest Road 141. Go right on FR-141 and continue for a half-mile to the intersection with Forest Road 730. Head left on FR-730 and go 2.25 miles to Forest Road 115. Turn left onto FR-115 and follow it for roughly 2 miles to Forest Road 2030. Follow FR-2030 for just under a mile to the circular parking area and the sign for Laws Spring. Use the easy-to-follow signs to find the trail. Go left at first “T” intersection to locate the wagon trail ruins. Or, go right, for a more challenging adventure. INFORMATION & MAPS: Kaibab National Forest
http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/kaibab/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=11675&actid=50