SOME APACHE-SITGREAVES FOREST CLOSURES LIFTED

Hikers, although some restrictions have been LIFTED, access to  hiking trails in the Springerville, Alpine and Clifton ranger districts are still off limits.  Hiking trails  in the Black Mesa and Lakeside ranger districts are now OPEN.

Arizona Game & Fish Press Release:

Good news for outdoor recreationists: Several forest closures lifted

   July 8, 2011

Big Lake

   Access is reopened to Big Lake and other popular areas There’s good news for anglers, campers and others  who like to recreate in high country areas that had been closed due to the Wallow Fire and other area fire concerns. The Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests has reopened several popular areas of the forests to public use. The Sitgreaves National Forest closure order affecting areas, roads and trails in the Black Mesa and Lakeside Ranger Districts and the Promontory Butte area was lifted as of noon yesterday (July 7). Stage 1 fire restrictions are currently in effect across the Sitgreaves portion of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests. These restrictions prohibit fires, campfires, and use of charcoal, coal or wood stoves, except in fire grills and grates provided by the Forest Service in developed recreation sites. Use of gas-fueled stoves, lanterns or heating devices is allowed. Smoking is not allowed except within an enclosed vehicle or building. The Apache National Forest closure order for several major recreation areas was lifted at noon today (Friday, July 8), including Big Lake, Crescent Lake and the adjacent developed campgrounds; the Greer lakes and the nearby developed campgrounds; Lee Valley and Winn Campground, Nelson Reservoir, and Luna Lake.   The specific areas opened in the Alpine and Springerville Ranger Districts include:

• Big Lake and Crescent Lake Recreation Areas including: Big Lake boat ramps and parking areas, Big Lake Visitor’s Center; Big Lake Administrative Site, Big Lake store and marina, South Cove boat ramp and parking area, Railroad Cove boat ramp and parking area. Current access to Big Lake is by Highway 273 only (Sunrise Highway) as Highway 261 is still closed and unsafe for motor vehicle use due to damaged guardrails.
• Greer Lakes Day Use Area including the following: Greer Lakes picnic area, Greer Lakes boat ramps and parking areas, Bunch Reservoir, River Reservoir, and Tunnel Reservoir. 
• Lee Valley Reservoir Day Use Area including the following: boat ramp and parking area, and the lake itself. 
• Rolfe C. Hoyer and Benny Creek Campgrounds and Squirrel Springs Picnic Area, Winn Campground, Springerville Ranger Station, Alpine Ranger Station. 
• 
  
• Luna Lake Day Use including the following: boat ramps and parking areas, Luna Lake Store and Marina, and the lake itself. 
• 
  
• Nelson Reservoir Day Use Area including the following: north end boat ramp, north end parking area, fishing piers, NFS land underlying Nelson Reservoir, and the lake itself.

Stage 2 fire restrictions will remain in place, which means that no campfires will be allowed, even in developed campgrounds. Lee Valley Reservoir, Luna Lake, Crescent Lake, and the three Greer lakes are for day use only.  Reservations at the Big Lake and Greer campgrounds can be made starting on July 8 by calling 1-877-444-6777 or on the web at www.recreation.gov . The Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Sipe Wildlife Area is also reopened to the public. Access is via the primary road from the north crossing Forest Service lands. Note that the last section of roadway crossing Rudd Creek into the wildlife area may be closed temporarily without notice if a flooding event occurs due to summer rains. This condition is expected to persist through the remainder of the summer.  Please note that the remainder of the Apache National Forest is closed to public entry at this time due to the many safety hazards present in the aftermath of the Wallow Fire. The Clifton Ranger District remains closed to public entry at this time until sufficient rain has fallen. Please check the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests’ website at http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/asnf/ to view the Wallow Fire Area Closure Order and Public Safety Amendment No. 3 with a list of all roads opened for access on the Apache Forest. Forest Service Law Enforcement officials are concerned that the public may be tempted to venture into closed areas to look at the effects of the Wallow Fire, but they ask the public to please be patient as crews clear hazardous trees near the roads. As the summer rainy season progresses, the threat from high water in certain drainages is very real. Please stay in areas open for public use. Warning: The Forest Service reminds individuals who violate road closures that they could be cited resulting in fines of $5,000 for individuals, and $10,000 for organizations and/or imprisonment for not more than six (6) months.   You can check the 593 Public Information Line for further updates by calling (928) 333-3412, or on the website at http://593info.org , or the ASNF website at www.fs.fed.us/r3/asnf/ .
   

HARRY I. DALTON-DRAGONFLY LOOPS

HARRY I. DALTON-DRAGONFLY LOOPS

Jewel of the Creek Preserve, Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area

Entering the Jewel of the Creek

Riparian area

Relaxing in cottonwood air conditioning

Cave Creek

Don’t you just hate it when the National Weather Service issues a “heat advisory” with an “expiration date” of a few days?  Seriously, folks, if you live in the Valley, you know the “alert” has an annual effective date of May 1^st through October 1^st.  Given that outdoor recreation in triple digit heat can be deadly, this can be problematic for hikers.  Although driving north to hike in the pines is one way to escape the inferno, there are some sweet summer trails right here in the Phoenix area-- but you’ll need to start early and find a trail with cool cottonwoods. Standing beneath a cottonwood tree on a sweltering summer morning is like being in an air-conditioned room.  The trees suck up moisture at night and exhale cool air during the day, creating shady respites from the heat.

The Dragonfly Trail, which opened in April 2009, was engineered to showcase the desert foothills and thriving riparian environment along the perennial pools of Cave Creek, where lots of cooling cottonwoods grow tall and wide.  We can thank the efforts of the Desert Foothills Land Trust (DFLT) for securing the preservation of this delicate eco-system and for also raising the funds needed to plan for and build the trail.

NOTE: This hike describes only the 1-mile loop section of the Dragonfly Trail.  The entire route (part of the Maricopa Trail) is 2.6 miles in length and makes a great winter hike.

Another early morning summer destination brought to you by DFLT is New River Preserve (see separate blog entry).

LENGTHS: (including access road hike):

Harry Dalton Nature Loop: 0.75-mile

Dragonfly:  1.7 miles

RATING:  easy

ELEVATION: 2,400’ -2,200’

FEE: $3 daily fee per person (exact change is required at the self-serve permit kiosk)

DOGS:  please respect this fragile riparian preserve by keeping dogs on leash, and pack out all waste.

KIDS: excellent choice

HORSES: not allowed

GETTING THERE:

From Loop 101 in Scottsdale, exit at Cave Creek Road and drive 15 miles north to Spur Cross Ranch Road.  Here, you’ll turn left, then right, then left again through a tricky intersection to stay on Spur Cross Ranch Road.  Continue 4.2 miles north to the dirt parking area on the left just past the Spur Cross Stables (SCS) gateway.

INFO:

MAP: http://www.maricopa.gov/parks/spur_cross/pdf/2011/spur-cross-8x11.pdf

MARICOPA COUNTY PARKS:

http://www.maricopa.gov/parks/spur_cross/

DESERT FOOTHILLS LAND TRUST:

http://www.dflt.org/

MORE PHOTOS:

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1644536852034.63693.1795269672&l=a09185c16d

ICE CAVE

ICE CAVE TRAIL

Pinetop-Lakeside

Porter Creek

Porter Creek

Ice Cave

Turnoff for Ice Cave

Scott Reservoir

Although alluring images of icicles and dark, stony passages might come to mind when mulling over the name of this celebrated White Mountain trail, it’s best to approach this hike as a journey instead of a destination. That’s because the signature feature-- “ice cave”--is little more than an anticlimactic side trip on an otherwise striking trail.  Surrounded by chain link for preservation, the cave is actually a lava tube that spews cool air year-round. As a destination, this dusty sinkhole disappoints, but the beautiful journey picks up the slack.  The hike begins on a dirt road that passes by a row of ranch homes before encountering the marshy margins of Porter Creek where profuse clusters of cattails and fragrant grasses populate the dewy cienega that hosts the trail on its way to Scott Reservoir. At the 1-mile point, the route bends away from the water and begins a mild, pine-shaded uphill climb. The ice cave (a.k.a. Blue Ridge Cave) is located a few yards off the main trail near the 2-mile point where the protective fence is barely visible off to the left. The spur path is marked by a low rock wall and two blue diamond markers tacked to a tree.  After visiting the cave, hop back on the main route and continue for another 1.5-miles to Blue Ridge Trail #107 junction, the turnaround point for this hike.

LENGTH:  7 miles roundtrip

ELEVATION: 6,700’ – 7,200’

RATING:  moderate

DOG RATING:  3 paws

KID FRIENDLY?: moderate

DISTANCE FROM PHOENIX:  175 miles one-way

GETTING THERE:

From Show Low, go southeast on SR260 (toward McNary) to Porter Mountain Road (FR 45).  Go left at the stoplight and continue 1 mile to the trailhead on the right. 

INFO: Pinetop-Lakeside Parks & Recreation, 928-368-6700 x 3,

http://www.tracks-pinetop-lakeside.org/TrailsFiles/IceCaveTrail.htm

MORE PHOTOS:

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DAVENPORT HILL-DOG TOWN LAKE

 Kaibab National Forest, Williams

Davenport Hill Trail

Summit

Trainspotting from  Davenport Hill

Dog Town Lake

Train whistles invoke a haunting, mournful yearning for the days when locomotives were the poster-technology of both the new frontier and old west.  Williams Arizona, with its buckskin-and-rail-tie-hybrid persona is one of few remaining places offering a serious locomotive “fix”. Home to a matrix of train depots and a main drag replete with saloons, malfunctioning neon and leather-clad, wandering “cowboys” spewing booze-addled folklore while engaging in mock shoot outs, Williams is a hot spot of activity in the middle of nowhere. Yup—it’s a loud, crowded, hokey-as-all-get-out slice of Americana anchoring the best preserved stretch of the “Mother Road”---historic Route 66.  People who like trains gravitate to this time warp of a whistle-stop (located 35 miles west of Flagstaff) for its perpetual clamber of metal on rails and diesel fumes.

Although it’s pretty easy to spend a day in town noshing at trackside joints like Cruisers Café, Doc Holliday’s Steakhouse or Pancho McGillicuddy's, a more alluring way to view the trains (and get some exercise to work off the Grand Canyon Brewing Co. beers that will have seduced you) waits 700 feet above town. To get there, just head a few miles south to Dog Town Lake where three shady trails feature easy hiking and high-altitude train spotting.

A hike up Davenport Hill trail offers aerial views of colorful freight cars gliding over expansive prairies below. Whether hauling human cargo or shipping containers bound for Wal-Mart, the trains put on a good show as they snake through town, cross the flatlands and disappear into forests of Ponderosa pines---a sight that’s impossible to see at street level.

In addition to Davenport Hill, two other routes depart from the same trailhead. Dog Town Lake trail is just a flat path used by anglers to access the best fishing spots along the shores of a pine-rimmed lake. The Ponderosa Nature Trail is a short, self-guided educational loop with signposts that correspond to information in booklets available at the trailhead, making it a good choice for kids and those who want a side order of learnin’ with their hike---or one of the amusing local brews.

LENGTHS: 

Davenport Hill: 2.5 miles one-way

Dog Town Lake: 1.8 mile loop

Ponderosa Nature Trail: 1-mile loop

RATING: easy-moderate

ELEVATION:  7,100’- 7,805’

FEES: none for hikers

FACILITIES:  restrooms, picnic tables, camping, fishing, boat ramp, site host and ranger programs

RULES: no swimming, dogs must be on leash

DISTANCE FROM PHOENIX:  184 miles one-way

GETTING THERE:

From Phoenix, go north on I17 to the I40/I17 interchange south of Flagstaff.  Go 30.3 miles west on I40 to Williams exit #165.  At the off ramp stop sign, go left and follow Railroad Ave. 2.6 miles to Fourth Street (a.k.a. Perkinsville Road, CR 73), turn south (left) and continue 3.8 miles to FR 140. Turn left onto FR 140 and go 2.8 miles to FR 132, go left again and drive 1.2 miles to the boat ramp/campground turnoff on the right.  Park in the boat ramp lot. Davenport Hill Trail begins at the Ponderosa Trail sign at the far, east end of the parking lot. Last few miles are on maintained dirt suitable for passenger cars.

INFO:  Williams Ranger District, Kaibab National Forest, (928) 635-5600

MAP: http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5189846.pdf
MORE PHOTOS: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1598201893689.62255.1795269672&l=a1039aeec9

WILLIAMS RANGER DISTRICT, KAIBAB NF CLOSURE 2011

MORE FOREST CLOSURES DUE TO HIGH FIRE DANGER

Bill Williams Mountain Trail

Major trails impacted by this closure include: Bill Williams Mountain Trail, Benham Trail, Bixler Saddle.

Release Date: Jun 23, 2011  

WILLIAMS, Ariz. – Kaibab National Forest officials plan to implement additional fire restrictions on the Williams and Tusayan Ranger Districts Saturday, June 25 at 8:00 a.m. Under these restrictions, fires, campfires, charcoal, coal or wood stoves are prohibited on the forest, including in developed campgrounds. The restrictions also limit smoking to within enclosed vehicles or buildings. Fireworks are always prohibited on National Forest System lands.

In addition, the Bill Williams Mountain Watershed on the Williams Ranger District will be closed to entry. The watershed closure area description is National Forest Lands bounded to the east by 4th Street and County Road 73, to the south by Forest Service Road (FSR) 122, to the west by FSR 108 and to the north by Interstate 40.

Other restrictions prohibit using a chainsaw from 11:00 a.m to 8:00 p.m, discharging a firearm unless engaged in a lawful hunt, welding, or operating an internal or external combustion engine without a spark arresting device properly installed, maintained, and in effective working order. These restrictions are deemed necessary to protect public health and provide for safety due to high fire danger.

Martie Schramm, Williams District Ranger said, “Given the current and predicted weather and fuels conditions, we need to take these precautions to prevent wildfires from starting. We thank the public for their continued cooperation.”

Pressurized liquid or gas stoves, lanterns, and heaters that can be turned off are allowed.

The fire restrictions will remain in place until the forest receives significant precipitation. Violation of the prohibitions is punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000, imprisonment for not more than six months, or both.
For additional information on fire restrictions on the Kaibab National Forest, call Punky Moore, Fire Information Officer, (928) 635-5653 or 928-635-8311.

CLOSURE MAP:
http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5311082.pdf

TONTO NATIONAL FOREST PARTIAL CLOSURE ORDER & MAP LINKS

East Webber Trail

Here we go folks, due to recent human-caused fires, our National  Forests are going into shut down mode. Major trails impacted by this closure include: Highline, W. Webber, E. Webber, Pine Canyon, Turkey, Geronimo, Pine View, Oak Trail, Redrock, Donahue, Babe Haught, Horton Springs, See Canyon, Derrick and Sinkhole.

Area closures on Tonto National Forest begin June 17, Fireworks prohibited at all times

Release Date: Jun 16, 2011  

PHOENIX(June 16, 2011) – Public safety concerns due to drought conditions, hot temperatures and increased fire danger have resulted in two temporary area closures on the Tonto National Forest beginning at 8 a.m., Friday, June 17--and will stay in effect until rescinded or August 31,2011 whichever comes first.  The two area closures are within the following boundaries:

1. All National Forest System Lands, roads and trails below the Mogollon Rim and North of the Control Road,  bounded by National Forest System Road 708 at the Fossil Springs Trailhead proceeding easterly along National Forest System Road 708 to the intersection with the power line road at the Southwest edge of the town of Strawberry; following the power line corridor southerly then easterly to the intersection of Forest System Road 583 at Tonto Natural Bridge State Park; continuing easterly on Forest Road 583 to State Highway 87; then northerly following  State Highway 87 to National Forest System Road 64 (The Control Road); thence easterly following  the Control Road to the Intersection with State Highway 260;  easterly along State Highway 260 to the Forest boundary at the top of the Mogollon Rim; and westerly along the Mogollon Rim and Tonto National Forest Boundary to the Fossil Springs Trailhead at Forest Road 708. 

2.  All National Forest System Lands, roads and trails within the Mt Ord, Four Peaks and Three Bar Wildlife Area,  bounded by the eastern edge of Highway 87 on the west beginning at the intersection with Forest System Road 143; on the north  along State Highway 87 to the intersection with State Highway 188; on the south along the western edge of Highway 188 to the Salt River corridor; on the west along the north side of the Salt river corridor including the north shores of Apache Lake, Canyon Lake and Saguaro Lake to Cottonwood Creek; northerly along Cottonwood creek to the intersection with Forest System Road 401, continuing northerly on Forest System Road 401 to the intersection with Forest System Road 143 and  westerly on Forest System Road 143 terminating at the intersection with State Highway 87.

Exceptions to this closure are the RV Dump site on the west side of State Highway 188 at Cholla Bay. The Tonto Natural Bridge State Park, highways 87 and 188 are unaffected by this closure, as are all county roads.

Also, most types of fire or fire-causing activities are prohibited across the Tonto National Forest. 

“Because of ongoing drought, dry forest conditions, and exceptionally low relative humidities, fire restrictions are needed to protect forest users, structures and natural resources from the increased potential for wildland fires,” said Tonto National Forest Deputy Fire Staff Officer Helen Graham. “These precautionary measures are intended to enhance our visitors’ quality recreation experiences. Most areas of the Tonto National Forest remain available for recreation activity, including all the Salt River system lakes.” 

Graham concluded:  “We continue to remind the public that all fireworks are prohibited on the forest at all times.”

Violation of these restrictions is punishable by a fine of up to $5,000 for individuals, $10,000 for organizations, and imprisonment for up to six months.  

  Click links below to view closure order and map.

CLOSURE ORDER:

https://fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5309516.pdf

CLOSURE MAP:

https://fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5309524.pdf

For more information regarding forest recreation sites and fire restrictions, please contact the Tonto National Forest at (602) 225-5200, or check online atwww.fs.usda.gov/Tonto  

For general information on fire activity and restrictions in Arizona call toll free 877-864-6985, or visit the.Southwest Coordination Center website: http://gacc.nifc.gov/swcc or http://www.publiclands.org/firenews/AZ.php

Useful Websites:

National Incident Information System www.inciweb.org

Southwest Coordination Center:  http://gacc.nifc.gov/swcc

National Interagency Fire Center: www.nifc.gov

National Fire Plan: www.forestsandrangelands.gov

FireWise:  www.firewise.org

PHOENIX MAGAZINE SUMMER HIKING GUIDE 2011

STILL AVAILABLE BY PHONE ORDER 2011--HURRY!

Hey hikers, pick up the JULY issue of PHOENIX magazine for some great summer hikes---not found on this blog!

All trails have been personally hiked, photographed and reported by yours truly, and, so far (as of 6-27-11), none of these trails are on fire.

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 (beginning 6-15-11): 480-664-3960

WALLOW FIRE MAPS

UPDATE 7-28-11: Now that the maelstrom has subsided,  here's a collection of the BEST MAPS & LINKS for  Wallow Fire stats.

JULY 1, 2011: Map shows degrees of damage.  Zoom in for excellent details!

Latest map of the Wallow Fire 6-27-11.

UPDATES, MAPS & PHOTOS: http://www.inciweb.org/incident/2262/



LINK TO PROGRESSION MAPS:
http://www.azcentral.com/news/wildfires/wallow/wallow-fire-timeline.php

BASELINE TRAIL

BASELINE TRAIL

Estrella Mountain Regional Park

Ahh, June in Phoenix. The heat is on, the monsoon rains are a month away, wildflowers have gone to dust and our beautiful desert hills look like parched moonscapes. So what’s to see on them thar hills during this dreaded month? Beans. Lots of beans. Most desert trees, including mesquite, palo verde and ironwood are in the legume (bean/pea) family. They paint desert washes and slopes with brilliant yellow, pink and white blooms from March through May—gradually transforming from things of beauty to sources of wildlife nutrition. Of course, this smorgasbord of protein brings out the rodents and birds that feed upon the arboreal buffet. And, where there are lil’ critters, snakes position themselves at the top of the food chain. One good place to see the bean show is Estrella Mountain Regional Park. With over 30 miles of trails ranging in difficulty from short and barrier-free to long and difficult, the park has something for everyone. Today, a friend with a shoulder injury suggested we hike the Baseline Trail because it appeared to be innocuous. The route proper is well-signed, but there are dozens of unofficial paths blazed in all directions---just watch for the “BA” signs to stay on course. A short distance in, the trail comes to a “Y” intersection. The right spur leads to a short (0.4 mile) sub loop with a nice vista point over looking the green farmlands of the Gila Valley, then swings around a pyramid-shaped mound to reconnect with BA. From here, the path undulates along the shoulders of boulder-strewn hillsides, dipping into a scenic valley before taking on its one steep climb before coming full circle back at the trailhead. Turns out, this trail was steeper and rockier than anticipated, but we still made it through without incident. Although we saw hundreds of rabbits, Harris Antelope squirrels, turkey vultures, lizards and a scrawny coyote, not a single snake crossed our paths.

LENGTH: 2.8 miles (3.9 with connector & viewpoint spur)

RATING: easy-moderate

ELEVATION: 900’- 1,050’

GETTING THERE: From Phoenix,go west on I10 to the Estrella Parkway exit. Turn south (left) and go 4 miles south to W. Vineyard Ave. (watch for the brown park signs). Turn left onto Vineyard and continue to the park gate. To get to the Baseline trailhead—follow the main road (Casey Abbott Dr. North) less than 0.25 mile and take the first right past the Nature Center (Casey Abbott Dr. South). Continue about 0.2 mile to Ramada #6 (just before the amphitheater) and park there. Trail access is across the road.

FEE: $6 daily fee per vehicle. Free maps are available at the gate.

PARK HOURS: Sunday – Thursday: 6 a.m. – 8 p.m., Friday – Saturday: 6 a.m. – 10 p.m.

INFO: Estrella Mountain Regional Park, Goodyear

(623) 932-3811, http://www.maricopa.gov/parks/estrella/maps.aspx

MORE PHOTOS:

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FRED HAUGHT TRAIL

Fred Haught Cabin

Water pools in General Crook Canyon

Descending into General Crook Canyon

FRED HAUGHT TRAIL

a.k.a. Arizona Trail Passage 28

One of many early Anglo settlers on the Mogollon Rim, Fred Haught (died 1938) ran cattle in the bucolic pastures of General Crook Canyon. Skeletal remains of his one-room cabin make for an interesting side trip while hiking the trail he and others once used to move livestock and market commodities between Camp Verde and Fort Apache. Today, trail #141 (aka #22) is a much quieter place--open only to hikers, horseback riders and dogs on leash. From the south trailhead, the route begins behind (north side) old General Spring Cabin. The first 3 miles are shared with Passage 28 (Blue Ridge) of the Arizona Trail (AZT). Along this segment, AZT posts mark the way. About a half-mile in, the trail gets sketchy as it passes over slabs of limestone---look carefully for strategically placed cairns to stay on course. Just beyond the stone maze, the trail begins its descent into General Crook Canyon. Three easy switchbacks flanked by striated limestone cliffs and clusters of wild strawberries transport hikers to the canyon floor. Here, pools of water and intermittent streams foster wide swaths of green. The canyon’s girth yawns and contracts accordion-style, moving from steep, V-shaped shady gorges to broad, sunny meadows. At the 3-mile point, AZT branches off to the northwest while trail #141 continues due north. Roughly 0.3 mile from this junction, a wooden sign marks the turn off for Fred Haught Cabin. To get to the ruins, slide down the dirt bank into the meadow and hike 0.5 mile due east (stay to the right of the water and head up a low slung embankment) and follow a faint trail marked by (really ancient) tree blazes until an old fieldstone fireplace comes into view off to the left. After visiting the ruins, head back to the main trail. Because the path is not maintained beyond this point, route-finding skills are needed to stay on track. Carins and “Cabin Loop System” signs mark the route on its way up to Pinchot Cabin at the northern trailhead.

LENGTH: 6 miles one-way

RATING: easy up to AZT junction, moderate after that (route-finding)

ELEVATION: 7,045’- 7,390’

GETTING THERE:

SOUTH (General Springs) TRAILHEAD as described here: from the intersection of SR87/260 in Payson, continue 28 miles north on SR87 to FR300 (Rim Road) near milepost 280. Turn right and go 12.2 miles to FR705 where there’s a Battle of Big Wash Monument on the NE of the intersection. Go left (north) onto FR705 and continue 0.5 mile to the General Springs/AZ Trail trailhead. Roads are maintained dirt and passable by sedan, although high-clearance is a better idea.

NORTH (Hay Meadow) TRAILHEAD:

From Phoenix, go north on I17 to Camp Verde. Connect to SR260 east (toward Payson) and travel 31 miles to the SR87 junction. Turn left (north) and go 9 miles on SR87 to Clint’s Well. From here, continue 8.3 miles to the turnoff for the Moqui campground (FR138). There will be a “Moqui” sign a few hundred feet before the road on the right. Turn right onto FR138 where a sign located roughly 50 yards in from SR87 reads: "Blue Ridge Campground/Moqui Campground/138". The trailhead is on the left about 100 yards from SR87. All paved roads up to the last few yards.

ALTERNATE: From Phoenix, take Loop 202 east, connect with SR87, continue to the SR87/260 junction in Payson and then follow the directions for the south TH above. It's a few miles longer this way, but the scenery is nice.

INFO: Coconino National Forest, Mogollon Rim Ranger District, (928) 477-2255

http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/recreation/mog_rim/fredhaught-tr.shtml

MORE PHOTOS:

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1576761957704.61040.1795269672&l=18f21a10f2

WALLOW FIRE IMAGES FROM SPACE

Photo on the left shows the Wallow Fire on June 8, 2011. For more amazing looks at the astonishing magnitude of this blaze, click on the link below.

http://earthsky.org/earth/june-2011-arizona-fires-seen-from-space

WALLOW FIRE 2011 UPDATES & MAP LINKS

MAP TO THE LEFT IS FOR WED. JUNE 8, 2011

Escudilla Mountain is officially up in flames. Tragically, two favorite hiking trails—Escudilla National Recreation Trail and Government Trail are, by now, in ashes. Photos are from my last hike up the mountain. Follow the links below for frequent updates & fire progression maps.

InciWeb UPDATES: http://www.inciweb.org/incident/2262/

http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5305116.pdf

WALLOW FIRE 2011 UPDATE & MAP LINKS

My heart is breaking. One of my all time favorite hiking spots--Bear Wallow Wilderness Area---in the White Mountains is on fire. The links below have the details and current progression maps. These photos are from my last hike in the Wallow....

FOREST CLOSURE NOTICE

Springerville, Alpine & Clifton Ranger Districts, Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest

Date(s): Jun 2, 2011

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. 551, and 36 CFR § 261.53 (a), the following acts and omissions are prohibited on areas, roads, and trails described in this Order, as further described and depicted on the attached map, which is hereby incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A.

Click here for the complete closure order and map.

InciWeb UPDATES: http://www.inciweb.org/incident/2262/

http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5305116.pdf