Dogie Trail
This trail comes by its name honestly. Dogie is cowboy slang for a motherless calf, alluding to the area’s ranching history. Cowboys once herded cattle along this route through Sycamore Canyon and the evidence remains in the form of stock tanks that sit along the path. Hikers who take this 10.8-mile round-trip hike in the Verde Valley wilderness, will follow the trail past crimson-and-cream-colored bluffs topped with junipers and piñon pines. As the route descends into the canyon, the path is covered with ankle-twisting rocks although the trail isn’t steep. You may find pools that linger from recent rains and are shaded by cottonwood and willow trees, but most of the year, water is scarce here, so be sure to take plenty along. The hike ends at the junction with the Sycamore Basin Trail in the Coconino National Forest.
Trail Guide
Length: 5.4 miles, one-way
Elevation: 5,600 to 6,600 feet
Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous
Directions: From Sedona, drive southwest 5 miles on State Route 89A. Turn north onto Forest Road 525 and follow the signs to Sycamore Pass. Turn west onto Forest Road 525C and continue for 9 miles to the parking area. The last half-mile might require a high-clearance vehicle.
Travel Advisory: Spring and autumn are the best times to hike; the canyon floor can be very hot in the summer months. Always carry plenty of water, at least 1 gallon per person, per day. No motorized or mechanized vehicles (including bicycles) are allowed in the Sycamore Canyon Wilderness.
Information: Red Rock Ranger District, 928-282-4119; www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino.
Trailhead Two-Sixty
When is a trail not a trail? When it’s a trailhead – at least that’s the case with Two-Sixty, which isn’t a trail, but a trailhead that leads to several other hiking trails on the Mogollon Rim. From Trailhead Two-Sixty, the main route is the Highland Trail, which runs 51 miles along the base of the Rim, where several side trails like Drew, See Canyon and Promontory lead into the Tonto National Forest. The area was once the stomping grounds of novelist Zane Grey who trekked there in the early 1900s. Another great way to head out from Two-Sixty is to follow the Military Sinkhole Trail 179, a slick, red-rock and gray limestone route that leads through oak, manzanita and ponderosa pine forest for 2.5 miles. At the end of the trail, hikers should take in the Mogollon Rim views of the Tonto Basin that stretches to the south.
Trail Guide
Length: (Military Sinkhole Trail 179) Approximately 2.5 miles one way
Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous
Elevation: 6,650 to 7,500 feet
Directions: Drive 27 miles east of Payson on State Route 260 past Christopher Creek. Just beyond the sign for Trailhead Two-Sixty, turn left from the highway into the trailhead parking lot.
Travel Advisory: Use extreme caution when turning off the highway into the trailhead parking lot. There is no turn lane, and traffic moves very fast in both directions. Signal your intention to turn as soon as you see the sign. Avoid this hike during winter months or in lightning storms or heavy rain. Don’t hike alone.
Information: Payson Ranger District, 928-474-7900; www.fs.fed.us/r3/tonto
Cathedral Rock
Sedona is known for its famous hikes through red rock canyons and along scenic Oak Creek, but to tackle one of Sedona’s most iconic rock formations, hikers should take a test first: Stand beneath the giant walls of Cathedral Rock and look up — if it looks daunting, that’s because it is. Yet for those who can handle this moderately difficult trek, the trail offers vistas of Sedona that would awe even the most casual observer. The first few hundred yards of the trail are relatively flat, dropping into a wash and then climbing onto rock steps that lead to Cathedral Rock. From there, the trail requires serious wiggling, crawling, climbing and searching for handholds and toeholds to make it up the rock face. The saddle between the two spires offers spectacular views, but even if you don’t make it that far, there’s still plenty of beauty to go around.
Trail Guide
Length: 1.4 miles, round-trip
Trailhead Elevation: 4,072 feet
Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous
Directions: From the junction of State routes 89A and 179 in Sedona, drive 3.5 miles south on SR 179 to Back O’Beyond Road and turn right. From there, go .6 miles to the trailhead parking lot.
Travel Advisory: A $5 Red Rock Pass is required to park. The machine in the parking lot accepts credit cards.
Information: Red Rock Ranger District, 928-282-4119; www.redrockcountry.org.
Kinder Crossing
The Mogollon Rim is known for its sweeping views of the Tonto Basin, and hikers usually appreciate the splendid scenery from a rock outcropping at a high elevation. But not all trails lead to the cliff’s edge and acrophobic hikers who want to explore Rim Country will appreciate the gentle descent of Kinder Crossing Trail as it follows East Clear Creek. Stellar’s jays, hawks, deer and elk are among a variety of wildlife that call the area home. The trail is lined with pines, firs and oaks and skips over limestone and sandstone steps that offer hikers footholds along a series of switchbacks that play hide-and-seek with the creek. Cool pools of water tempt hikers to take time to picnic and swim – a good idea in warm weather. The most popular pool sits at three-quarters of a mile along the trail. After lunch and a dip in East Clear Creek’s cool water, hikers can turn around and head back or continue to the trail’s end at 1.5 miles.
Trail Guide
Length: .75 miles or 1.5 miles, one-way
Elevation: 6,977 to 7,000 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Directions: From Payson, drive 50 miles north on State Route 87 to the Blue Ridge Ranger Station. Just past the ranger station, take the first right onto Forest Road 95 and drive 4.1 miles to Forest Road 95T, turn left and follow the road for .6 miles to the Kinder Crossing Trail sign at a fork in the road. Four-wheel-drive vehicles can continue for another .1 miles to the actual trailhead.
Information: 928-477-2255 or www.fs.fed.us/r3/Coconino.
Badger Springs Wash Trail
If you like solitude, high-desert landscapes and canyon walls filled with ancient petroglyphs, this is the place for you. On the other hand, if quicksand, snakebites, or flash floods make you nervous, this may not be your kind of hike. But for adventurous trekkers, Badger Springs Wash Trail leads into the heart of the 71,000-acre Agua Fria National Monument – primitive country, where ancestral Puebloan Indians once roamed river banks. The hike begins along the wash as the trail leads to the Agua Fria River, about a mile in. Smooth granite boulders clog the riverbed, while boulders scratched with images of deer, elk and geometric patterns can be seen along the banks and on the mesas above. From there, the hike becomes difficult and the trail unrecognizable, so expect to get wet and to do some boulder hopping for as long as you want to follow the river. For those who want an easier route, turnaround and follow the wash back to the trailhead.
Trail Guide
Length: Approximately 2 miles one way
Elevation: 3,820 to 4,100 feet
Difficulty: Easy to strenuous
Directions: From Phoenix, drive north on Interstate 17 for 40 miles to Badger Spring Exit 256. Turn right and follow this dirt road (Badger Spring Road) for 1 mile to the trailhead parking lot.
Information: 623-580-5500; www.blm.gov/az/aguafria/pmesa.htm.
View Point Trail
From the Mingus Mountain Campground, this trail descends at a sharp angle. Designated Trail 106 in Forest Service trail guides, its top allows visitors an eagle’s look at the breadth of the Verde Valley. The view includes the blossoming town of Cottonwood, the famous red cliffs of Sedona to the east, the San Francisco Peaks on the north, and far out amid the mist, a grand panorama that probably encompasses 30 miles of mountainous Arizona. Descending from the trailhead and feeling the embrace of the cliffs, the Verde Valley still looks vague and unfathomable, hardly a place of booming growth. Don’t try enjoying these sights while walking. The narrowness of the trail won’t permit it, and neither will the tight switchbacks, which paperclip off the mountain’s east side in quick succession. The View Point Trail offers a number of boulders on which to sit and let the day pass, a nice respite. But if you’re like me, and have wobbly legs, this isn’t optional. The trail’s down-slope, at 1.9 miles, is moderately challenging, at least in comparison to the return hike, which can be downright painful. The Forest Service warns that the View Point Trail descends sharply for the first three-quarters of a mile. At 1.35 miles, the trail intersects with Trail 105A. After this, Trail 106 descends more gradually and ends on Forest Road 413. Hikers interested in looping back to the Mingus Mountain Campground area can do so along Trail 105A or Trail 105.
Trail Guide
Length: 1.9 miles, one-way
Elevation: 7,620 to 6,500 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Directions: Drive north from Phoenix on Interstate 17 to Camp Verde, then take State Route 260 northwest to Cottonwood, a total of 106 miles. From Cottonwood, take State Route 89A west up the side of Mingus Mountain to Jerome and follow it through town. This paved, winding road peaks at 7,023 feet. Turn left onto Forest Service Road 104 and drive 2.5 miles on this climbing dirt road to a four-way stop at the Mingus Mountain Campground. This intersection is .2 of a mile past the entrance to the Mingus Mountain United Methodist Camp. The View Point trailhead is located off the parking lot straight ahead.
Information: Prescott National Forest, Camp Verde District, 928-567-4121; www.fs.fed.us/r3/prescott.
Cottonwood Creek
This trail, north of Lake Pleasant and about 45 miles northwest of Phoenix, threads between cholla cacti and paloverde trees along the edge of Cottonwood Creek. Wild burros—survivors from when prospectors scoured these hills—also concentrate around Cottonwood Creek, leaving droppings and tracks. The federal Bureau of Land Management more or less manages the population, keeping a semitight leash on the invasive species. At the 2.5-mile mark, a sign notes entry into the Hells Canyon Wilderness. This imposing name reflects the hardships of a different time, but it certainly promises adventure. The trail passes a natural amphitheater, pocked with caves up on a ridge.
Trail Guide
Length: Varies, depending on how far hikers want to follow the mostly dry streambed.
Elevation: 1,750 to 2,250 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Directions: From Phoenix, travel north on Interstate 17 to Carefree Highway. Exit and turn west onto Carefree Highway, State Route 74, for 35 miles to Castle Hot Springs Road. Turn right onto Castle Hot Springs Road, and drive 5.1 miles north to parking area on west side of road. The trail starts at the north side of the parking area, beyond a lowered barbed-wire fence.
Information: Bureau of Land Management, Phoenix District, 623-580-5500.
Willow Springs Canyon Trail
The chartreuse lichen covering the rock wall in the Goldfield Mountains’ Willow Springs Canyon gives the afternoon light a fluorescent glow. The psychedelic green lichen and the odd, shimmering metallic striations in the rocks lend this little mountain range a distinctive appeal. Sitting in the shadow of the renowned Superstition Mountains, the Goldfields often get shouldered out of the limelight by their myth-tinged neighbors. While prospectors combed the Superstitions for the fabled Dutchman’s lost gold, racking up minerals more flamboyant than useful, the Goldfields actually produced about a dozen mines, a few in big style. Some say the Dutchman’s gold actually came from a mine in the Goldfield Mountains. A hike in the Goldfields traverses a backcountry similar to the Superstitions without the crowds. Although the Goldfields lack a developed trail system, a 6-mile hike down Willow Springs Canyon presents a moderate trek into the heart of this special range. The hike starts on Forest Road 12 heading north from State Route 88 (the Apache Trail). Veer right at all forks for the first mile. As the road climbs up a hill, veer left at a fork that drops into Willow Springs Canyon. Once in the canyon, wide and still shallow, the route travels right on the gravelly floor amid classic Sonoran Desert landscape. By about mile 3, the canyon develops some character as the walls rise and start to close in. Wonderfully welded volcanic scenery shows off extraordinary displays of massive cliffs and curious formations containing hoodoos and strange statuary. The last 2 miles of the route require boulder-hopping and some minor scrambling down dry falls. The chasm deepens and narrows on this last stretch, at times to less than 20 feet. The hike ends in a cattail-choked cove of Saguaro Lake, often without another soul around.
Trail Guide
Length: 6 miles, one-way
Elevation: 2,080 to 2,400 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Directions: Drive east on U.S. Route 60 and exit at Idaho Road (State Route 88); continue north on State 88, which turns right (east) and becomes the Apache Trail. Drive to the parking area near Milepost 204 on the north side of the road and begin at Forest Road 12.
Information: Tonto National Forest, Mesa Ranger District, 480-610-3300; www.mile204.us/Goldfields.
Dead Horse Ranch State Park, The Verde River Greenway
A veritable kingdom of leafy canopies, the Verde River Greenway, a shady 6-mile stretch of the Verde River, runs through central Arizona. In 1986, the State of Arizona appropriated $2 million “seed money” to begin purchase of the portion of the VRG between the Tuzigoot and Bridgeport bridges in Cottonwood. Managed and operated as a unit of Dead Horse Ranch State Park, this important jewel in Arizona’s ecological crown is abundant with natural and cultural resources, including a rare Fremont cottonwood/Goodding willow riparian gallery forest that helps on my shade-seeking mission. Exploring the VRG is less like hiking and more like visiting a wildlife park. The lush, level stretch between the River Day Use Area and the Verde River Greenway offices is just 1.5 miles one-way. From the signpost, head north a few steps and turn west into a dry, rock-filled creek bed that looks like a side-winding sandbox. Follow it to a smaller, shaded and foot-friendly trail to the south, running parallel with the river. After about two hours of following the path, red-and-bleached desert bluffs starting to dominate the landscape to the south. Complete the loop by taking the long way back through the park along Dead Horse Ranch Road in the company of the blazing sun, or go solo, back the way you came.
Trail Guide
Length: 3-mile loop
Elevation: 3,300 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Directions: From Flagstaff, take Interstate 17 south (approximately 3.2 miles) to Exit 337. Go west to the stop sign and head south on State Route 89A. Follow State 89A for 42.3 miles to Cottonwood (where the road becomes Main Street). Turn right onto 10th Street and follow for .7 of a mile to park entrance.
Information: 928-634-5283 or www.azparks.gov/Parks/parkhtml/deadhorse.html.
Coffee Flat Trail
Out in the eastern Superstition Wilderness, life looks a little different. The volcanic formations that keep the western portion of the wilderness so popular stand as 5,000-foot-high mountains in the eastern high country. Juniper trees replace saguaro cacti. Wildlife appears more often than people. The 7.6-mile-long Coffee Flat Trail, near the south-central boundary of the Superstition Wilderness between the JF Headquarters and Fraser Canyon, connects these two worlds. The hike starts on a road closed to vehicles. The road travels about a mile to the JF Headquarters and the start of the trail. Jack Fraser pioneered the ranch a few years after prospectors started searching for the Lost Dutchman Mine. Fraser sold the ranch to the Clemans Cattle Co. in 1909, and the operation eventually ran 8,000 to 10,000 head of cattle. Today, only 50 cattle graze the area. The trail follows along Fraser Canyon, where the drainage transitions from shallow and shapeless to narrow and scenic. Cairns direct hikers as the trail winds back and forth across the canyon floor. Thick forests of saguaro cacti, some more than a century old, cover sections of the south-facing wall of the canyon. At about mile 2, the trail climbs up into the cactus forest, edging past ancient giants. Whetstone Spring, at about mile 3, presents a soggy stretch that may force hikers to walk carefully alongside a string of pools in a willow thicket. Hikers should watch for the stacks of cairns just beyond the pools, signaling the trail’s brief climb up the south wall. This hike ends at Dripping Spring, about mile 3.5, where hikers can turn around and return the way they came. For a longer hike, some may opt to continue west in Randolph Canyon to the trail’s end at Coffee Flat.
Trail Guide
Length: 7.6 miles, one-way
Elevation: 2,350 to 3,120 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Directions: Drive east on U.S. Route 60 from Phoenix about 2 miles east of Florence Junction, and turn north (left) onto Queen Valley Road. Drive 2 miles and turn east (right) onto Hewitt Station Road (Forest Service Road 357). Drive 3 miles and turn left onto unpaved Forest Service Road 172, which requires four-wheel drive. Drive 12 miles to the Woodbury Trailhead parking lot. Hike back about a thousand feet to the closed road that leads to the Coffee Flat Trail.
Information: Tonto National Forest, Mesa Ranger District, 480-610-3300, www.fs.fed.us/r3/tonto.
Munds Wagon Trail
Historic Munds Wagon Trail climbs 4 miles from the base of Schnebly Hill to Merry-Go-Round Rock. From the trailhead, you’ll cross Schnebly Hill Road twice before descending toward Bear Wallow Canyon. According to local histories, an early settler spotted bears wallowing in the mud somewhere nearby. Munds Road began as a cattle trail in the late 1800s, used by Jim Munds to drive his herd from the Verde Valley to greener summer pastures at Munds Park. Sedona's fruit growers and ranchers later improved the route for wagon travel, shaving at least a day off the journey to Flagstaff. After Carl and Sedona Schnebly settled where Los Abrigados resort stands today, the Munds wagon road became known as Schnebly Hill Road. When the modern Schnebly Hill Road was built in the 1930s, the old roadbed faded back into the forest. It was rediscovered by a couple of local Forest Service rangers, history buffs who delighted in resurrecting it as a hiking trail. The trail climbs back and forth uphill. Above the switchbacks, rock reinforcements stand as testament to the pioneers who built the road using picks, shovels and, where necessary, hand drills to place dynamite charges. You’ll cross present-day Schnebly Hill Road again, heading toward the north-facing cliffs of Munds Mountain, where ponderosa pine trees jut from pale Coconino sandstone. Shrub oaks and junipers shaded patches of snow and offered peeks of the conical orange-red formation known as Merry-Go-Round Rock.
Trail Guide
Length: 4.4 miles, one-way
Elevation: 4,400 to 5,500 feet
Difficulty: Strenuous
Directions: From the intersection of State Route 89A and State Route 179 in Sedona, drive about a half-mile south on 179 and cross the bridge over Oak Creek. Turn left onto Schnebly Hill Road and drive 1 paved mile to a parking/picnic area on the left. Two other trails, Marg's Draw and Huckaby, also begin there. For the Munds Wagon Trail, head east, roughly paralleling the road. This multiuse trail is open to hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians.
Travel Advisory: A Red Rock Pass is required to park on forest lands within the Sedona Ranger District. Hikers should carry plenty of water and wear appropriate footwear. Winter snows may obscure the trail at higher elevations.
Information: Coconino National Forest, Red Rock Ranger District, 928-282-4119; www.redrockcountry.org.
Buck Mountain
Ladybugs are everywhere—tiny jeweled beetles clinging thick as plaster to trees, with more arriving. They number in the thousands at the end of the trail up 7,571-foot Buck Mountain in the Coconino National Forest, 37 miles southeast of Flagstaff. Buck Mountain Trail, actually a two-track service road, has a locked gate with an opening large enough for hikers to pass through. The easy-rated hike involves a 300-foot elevation gain over three-quarters of a mile up the road to the lookout. The lookout atop Buck Mountain is only one of two towers in Arizona made completely of wood. The other is East Pocket Lookout in Oak Creek Canyon north of Sedona. The nearby national forest offers many primitive campsites, and other area attractions include the easy drive to another fire lookout atop Indian Maiden Mountain. But be sure to include the hike up Buck Mountain as part of a summertime outing in Arizona’s high country. The incredible views from the summit reveal the craggy San Francisco Peaks to the north. Maybe the ladybugs like the views, too.
Trail Guide
Length: 1.5 miles, round-trip
Elevation: 7,250 to 7,571 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Directions: From Flagstaff, drive south on State Route 89A, which becomes Interstate 17, to Exit 339 (Forest HIghway 3). Travel southeast on FR 3 to Forest Road 229, about 5 miles south of Happy Jack. Turn right (west) on Forest Road 229; drive about 2 miles and turn left on 229B. Travel about .75 of a mile and turn left on the service road. Drive to the service road gate.
Information: Coconino National Forest, Mogollon Rim Ranger District, 928 477-2255; www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino.
Thumb Butte
About 3,000 hikers amble up the slopes of Prescott’s distinctive landmark, Thumb Butte, on a typical month, making it the Prescott National Forest’s most popular hike. The 2-mile, 90-minute Thumb Butte Loop Trail is appealing — you can sample the 1.25 million-acre Prescott National Forest in central Arizona in the morning and still browse historic downtown Prescott’s shops and restaurants in the afternoon. In the shade of towering ponderosa pine trees with a view of the dark basalt Thumb Butte, you’ll follow the path south past scattered chaparral: Arizona white oak, mountain mahogany, manzanita and juniper. One of the trail’s many interpretive signs explained that you can spot squirrels’ nests high in the ponderosa pines: “They look like messy clumps of needles, but are actually carefully built homes with entrances, ceilings and inside linings of soft materials.” Classified as a moderate trail, the path at times rises steeply past gambel oaks and scatterings of wildflowers, including brilliant yellow goldenrods and orange-red penstemons. After hiking south nearly a mile, the trail veersto the east. Less than a quarter of a mile later, you’ll reach the junction to the Groom Creek Vista, which offers a spectacular bird’s-eye view of a wide-open azure sky.
Trail Guide
Length: 2-mile loop
Elevation: 5,700 to 6, 300 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Directions: From Phoenix, drive north on Interstate 17 approximately 62 miles and get off at Exit 262, State Route 69. Travel northwest about 34 miles and then follow the sign to Gurley Street, which passes through downtown Prescott. From downtown, travel west on Gurley Street, which becomes Thumb Butte Road. Continue on to the Thumb Butte picnic area, located about 3 miles from Prescott’s courthouse.
Information: Prescott National Forest, Bradshaw Ranger District, 928-443-8000; www.fs.fed.us/r3/prescott.
Packard Trail
For more than a millennium, the 5-mile Packard Trail has meandered through sycamores, junipers and hillsides to deliver travelers near the doorstep of a Sinagua Indian mystery. The eight to 10-hour round-trip day hike starts 11 miles northwest of Tuzigoot National Monument, an ancient hilltop pueblo overlooking the Verde River where the Sinagua people grew corn, beans and squash between the 8th and 15th centuries. Packard Trail begins at a fork with the Parson Spring Trail downhill from a parking circle at the end of Forest Road 131 in the Prescott National Forest with a strenuous, 2.5-mile, 1,100-foot elevation gain as it climbs out of leafy, spring-fed Sycamore Creek at 3,600 feet elevation. The trail climbs through a grassy hillside to the juniper plateau at the 4,880-foot top of Packard Mesa. Packard Trail leaves the Sycamore Wilderness Area and merges with Forest Trail 63, a main hike and horse route, that leads north back into the wilderness area. Along Trail 63, about a quarter mile north of the Packard Trail junction, stands Sycamore Tank, where junipers yield to an open park crisscrossed with cattle trails. About 9 miles from the 63 trailhead, near an old ranch camp called Taylor Cabin, a large cave with a natural chimney may also have sheltered the Sinagua traveling between the Mogollon Rim high country and Tuzigoot.
Trail Guide
Length: 5 miles, one-way
Elevation: 3,600 to 4,600 feet
Difficulty: Moderate to difficult
Location: About 50 miles southwest of Flagstaff.
Directions: From Flagstaff, drive southwest on State Route 89A about 44 miles to Cottonwood. From Cottonwood, take Main Street northwest toward Clarkdale, following the signs to Tuzigoot National Monument. Turn right on Tuzigoot Road, cross the Verde River and take an immediate left on Sycamore Canyon Road (Forest Service Road 131). Follow the road approximately 10 miles to the vehicle turnaround and trailhead.
Travel Advisory: Carry a compass, trail map and topographical map. Hikers must carry 3 to 4 quarts of water, as water along the route is not safe to drink. Archaeological sites are protected under the law.
Information: Prescott National Forest, Chino Valley Ranger District, 928-777-2200; www.fs.fed.us/r3/prescott.
Sycamore Spring
Sycamore spring swells from a trickle to a stream beginning in a grove of old-growth sycamore trees before slipping into a shadowy slot canyon in the Arrastra Mountain Wilderness area northwest of Wickenburg in central Arizona. The state Department of Water Resources designates the spring as "unique water" because of the colony of plants that thrive there. The road in and the trail itself are strewn with crumbled granite and boulders, so hikers should wear stout hiking boots to protect their feet. Sycamores mark the spring just downstream from where the trail arrives in Peoples Canyon. The spring water is sweet to drink, but treat it before drinking, because cows use the waterhole as well. Plan a bird-watching safari in March and early April for sightings of migrating species. Or just enjoy the shade of the big sycamores and the soothing, tinkling music of the spring, in a wilderness place not that far away.
Trail Guide
Length: 5 miles
Elevation: 3,500 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Directions: Turn west off U.S. Route 93 at Milepost 155, about 44 miles north of Wickenburg and 200 yards north of the intersection with State Route 97 to Bagdad. A high-clearance vehicle is required. At 3.2 miles, turn right and proceed to the second windmill. Park there or continue driving to the trailhead near signs marking the Arrastra Mountain Wilderness boundary. The spring is in Peoples Canyon, 1.3 miles from the trailhead.
Travel Advisory: Autumn, winter and early spring are the best times for a Sycamore Spring hike. Beware of summer flash floods.
Information: U.S. Bureau of Land Management, Kingman Field Office, 928-692-4400; www.az.blm.gov/rec/arrastra.htm.
Wilson Canyon
Calling hikers toward red-rock spires and variegated cliffs, Wilson Canyon Trail meanders around fragrant Arizona cypress trees. The graceful trees add a sparkling scent of mint to this easy 1.5-mile trail. The trailhead, only about 2 miles from Sedona, lies in Oak Creek Canyon. A favorite time to hike Wilson Canyon is late winter. When high-elevation snows melt, the cold, clear water musically trickles down the canyon. Terraced waterfalls in the intimate sylvan world seem to appear around every bend. The trail parallels the canyon, crossing the unnamed stream several times. Piñon pine trees, one-seed junipers, hollyleaf buckthorns, yuccas and sugar sumacs grace the way. The walking proves easy, allowing plenty of opportunities to view the rock formations that shelter the tree-lined bowl. Lava-capped Wilson Mountain towers to the north. At 7,122 feet, it ranks as the highest point in all of Red Rock Country. To the west rise Shiprock and Wilson Notch, formations carved from the pale Coconino sandstone. Below stand several spires in the red-orange Schnebly Hill formation. Beyond 1.5 miles, the trail fades into the streambed. Turn around anywhere that feels satisfying. Perhaps, before heading back, take a moment to pause. Breathe in the primal energy of this sylvan canyon world, and save the memory for later.
Trail Guide
Length: 1.5 miles, one-way
Elevation: 4,500 to 5,000 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Directions: From Flagstaff, travel south on State Route 89A. From Sedona, travel north on 89A, and cross Midgley Bridge, the silver structure spanning Wilson Canyon; then turn left into the parking area. Walk to the picnic shelters and begin the hike at the Wilson Canyon #49 sign.
Travel Advisory: Parking at trailheads or pullouts within Red Rock Country in the Coconino National Forest requires a Red Rock Pass. Passes may be purchased at Gateway Visitor Centers when entering Sedona, at automated stations at several trailheads, from local tourist stores or on the Internet.
Information: Coconino National Forest, Red Rock Ranger District, 928-282-4119; http://www.redrockcountry.org.
Boulder Canyon
The rough-hewn scenery of the Superstition Wilderness and its alluring legends always provide an intriguing setting for a hike. German prospector Jacob Waltz, nicknamed "the Dutchman," immortalized the Superstition Mountains with tales of his Lost Dutchman Mine. This legend drew a crowd of prospectors to the mountains in search of a phantom mine the Dutchman described as an 18-inch-thick vein of gold that lies in the shadow of Weavers Needle. The 7.3-mile-long Boulder Canyon Trail, which starts at La Barge Canyon on the northern edge of the Superstition Wilderness, won’t take hikers to Waltz’s legendary mine, but it will take them to a cluster of adits midway along the trail. The real treasures of the trail, however, show up in natural features. The most abundant are the extravagant panoramas along the path — some of the best in the wilderness. The views start at mile 1 on an overlook that gives a glimpse of the azure shimmer of Canyon Lake to the north and the tempestuous topography of the Superstitions to the south. The overlook makes a good turnaround point for a short hike. When the trail crosses La Barge Canyon’s creekbed, it heads into an anomalous area of salmon-colored rock called Indian Paint Saddle. Relics from Indian Paint Mine stand on the top of the tiny saddle. Prospectors left their mark all around the area — hikers might find rusted equipment and prospect tunnels. The mine, at mile 3.4, makes a good turnaround point for a moderate day hike. From Indian Paint Mine, the trail drops into Boulder Canyon and heads south along the canyon floor. The trail ends at the Dutchman Trail in Marsh Valley.
Trail Guide
Length: 7.3 miles, one-way
Elevation: 1,680 to 2,300 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Directions: From Phoenix, drive east on U.S. Route 60 to Idaho Road, Exit 196. Drive north on Idaho Road about 1 mile, and turn right onto State Route 88, also known as the Apache Trail. Drive 15.8 miles to the trailhead across from the Canyon Lake Marina. Park in the marina parking lot at signs marked "Trailhead Parking." The parking lot is closed from dusk to dawn.
Information: Tonto National Forest, Mesa Ranger District, 480-610-3300; www.fs.fed.us/r3/tonto.
Pinnacle Peak
The Pinnacle Peak Trail in north Scottsdale, established in April 2002, offers a 1.75-mile (one way) hike through some of the most lush Sonoran Desert vegetation found anywhere close to a large city. Much of Pinnacle Peak Park is covered with large granite boulders that seem to cascade down each side of the peak. At the trail’s apex, hikers can see Camelback Mountain to the southwest, Humboldt Mountain on the north, and the most dramatic view, Four Peaks, some 25 miles to the east. Near the trail parking lot, stands a visitors center that offers interpretive information, water and restrooms. Starting at an elevation of 2,570 feet, the trail passes by specimens of foothills paloverde trees, banana yuccas and saguaro cacti. Shortly, the trail switchbacks steeply up nearly 300 feet to Grandview Point, a good place to rest and take in the sights. The trail continues a bit to its high point of 2,889 feet and then descends a pass that looks down on multimillion-dollar homes. After another short climb, the trail drops to 2,366 feet at the western end. There is no exit from the park at this point, so turn around and go back up the trail, completing an invigorating 3.5-mile hike.
Trail Guide
Length: 1.75 miles, one-way
Elevation: 2,570 to 2,889 feet to 2,366 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Directions: From north Phoenix, drive east on Dynamite Boulevard to Alma School Parkway and turn south for 1 mile.
Information: 480-312-0990; www.scottsdaleaz.gov/parks/pinnacle.
Lynx Lake
The 55-acre Lynx Lake lies approximately 4 miles east of Prescott in the Prescott National Forest. The 1.25-million-acre national forest lies in a mountainous section of central Arizona, wedged between forested plateaus to the north and cactus-laden desert to the south. Trail No. 311, a 2-mile loop around the lake, is fragrant with ponderosas and lush in texture. Berries dangle from manzanita bushes’ maroon and silver entwined branches, alligator juniper trees wear reptilian bark and woolly mulleins’ soft leaves feel like a fuzzy blanket. The trail loops to the south end of the lake, a popular picnicking and bank-fishing destination, and angles down to the mouth of Lynx Creek, which feeds the lake. Sometime’s, it’s possible to journey south along the east side of the lake, but it’s closed to hikers from December 1 to June 15 if nesting bald eagles are hatching eggs.
Trail Guide
Length: 2 miles
Elevation: 5,530 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Directions: From Phoenix, travel north on Interstate 17 and take the Cordes Junction exit. Turn left onto State Route 69 and drive west toward Prescott. Turn left onto Walker Road in Prescott and follow signs to the Lynx Lake boat ramp.
Travel Advisory: There’s a $2 daily parking fee at each Lynx Lake Recreation Area site. One $2 payment allows parking at all Lynx Lake Recreation sites on the same day. For bird-watchers, bald eagles can best be viewed between November and June, and ospreys between March and July.
Information: Prescott National Forest, Bradshaw Ranger District, 928-443-8000 or www.fs.fed.us/r3/prescott.
Sterling Pass Trail
Steep and demanding, the 2.4-mile-long Sterling Pass Trail marks a historic route up a beautiful side canyon of Oak Creek Canyon. The trail begins as a mad dash up a short, but steep, forested wall of Oak Creek Canyon. The path settles down to a more sensible climb as it heads to a slick-rock pour-off, contours its edge, then enters a captivating forest. The moist environment cradled between red rock walls, which rise several hundred feet, nurtures a timberland of hardwoods and giant ponderosa pines above a spread of bracken ferns. Though still on the uphill, the trail wends docilely through this pretty forest. By mile one, the path turns austere as it starts a steep, rugged climb out of the drainage. The trail becomes more demanding the higher it climbs, but the panoramic views become more exquisite. At Sterling Pass, hikers will have climbed almost 1,200 feet elevation in 1.7 miles. From there, hikers may return to the trailhead for a shorter day hike or continue on the trail. The path zigzags through the pines down the other side of the pass into Sterling Canyon, dropping 800 feet in three-fourths of a mile to the Vultee Arch Trail.
Trail Guide
Length: 2.4 miles, one-way
Elevation: 4,840 to 6,000 feet
Difficulty: Strenuous
Directions: From the intersection of State Route 89A and State Route 179, go north on State 89A, and drive 6.2 miles to the trailhead on the west side of the road, 200 yards north of the Manzanita Campground.
Travel Advisory: A Red Rock Pass is required when parking on national forest lands for recreation in Red Rock Country. Purchase passes at the Gateway Visitor Centers, on the Internet and at a variety of local vendors and self-pay stations.
Information: Coconino National Forest, Red Rock Ranger District, 928-282-4119; www.redrockcountry.com.
Sixshooter Trail
It’s not often you come across a trail with an identity crisis, but you’re more likely to if you hike in the sky-island ranges. The Sixshooter Trail, just south of Globe in the Pinal Mountains, takes on a manic personality. Within its 6-mile length, the trail obsessively and steeply climbs almost 3,000 feet to transport you from a scrubby chaparral mix along raspy mountain slopes to quaking aspen trees at the trail’s end near Ferndell Spring. The trail starts out exposed, without cover, among the chaparral mix of manzanita and scrub-oak bushes. By mile 2, the trail continues its nonstop climb under canopies of Gambel oak trees. Still climbing after about 4 miles, the trail pulls away from the canyon’s crevice and stabilizes its personality as it enters pine-oak forest. Just a half-mile from the end, the trail veers off the road to the right and enters a forest of mixed conifers and aspen trees. The trail ends about a quarter-mile beyond Ferndell Spring at its junction with the Middle Trail.
Trail Guide
Length: 6 miles
Elevation: 4,600 to 7,560 feet
Difficulty: Strenuous
Directions: Drive to the east edge of Globe on U.S. Route 60, and turn right (south) at Hill Street just past Milepost 251. Follow the brown and white signs 1.2 miles to the Pinal Mountain Recreation Area and turn right onto Icehouse Canyon Road, which is Forest Service Road 112; drive 1.8 miles to a stop sign and continue straight 2 miles to the end of the pavement. Drive 0.5 mile to the CCC Camp picnic area and the Sixshooter Canyon trailhead.
Information: Tonto National Forest, Globe Ranger District, 928-402-6200; www.fs.fed.us/r3/tonto.
Towel Creek
A cluster of southern Sinagua Indian ruins that once served as an outpost for prehistoric trade routes along the Verde River can be explored today along Towel Creek Trail, about 85 miles north of Phoenix, in the Coconino National Forest. The 700- to 900-year-old ruins, reachable by a 5.5-mile one-way day hike on Forest Trail 67 from Forest Road 708, southeast of the town of Camp Verde, are among several sites spaced along the river between Phoenix and the Mogollon Rim. Hiking in from FR 708 lets you keep your feet dry to the ruins — all accessible by an easy climb from the main trail. Watch for a yellow fence gate along Verde River Road, about 500 yards south of Needle Rock that marks the trailhead. Cross the wash, follow the old jeep road for 2.5 miles to Towel Tank, where nearly year-round water provides a haven for Gambel's quail. The trail from the tank to the ruins descends 1,000 feet in 2 miles over tipsy rocks and loose gravel.
Trail Guide
Length: 5.5 miles, one-way
Elevation: 4,100 feet to 2,900 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Directions: From Interstate 17, take the General Crook Trail, State Route 260, into Camp Verde. Follow SR260 across the Verde for 7 miles, then turn south on the graveled FR 708 for 8.5 miles to Needle Rock. Parking is limited to a clearing east of the road just past Needle Rock. Don’t block the ranch road on the west side.
Information: Coconino National Forest, Red Rock Ranger District, 928-282-4119; www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino.
Maverick Mountain
After parking near the intersection of Forest roads 79 and 79A, the first place of interest for hikers at Maverick Mountain is at Kendall Camp, a 15-minute walk from that intersection. In the days when men with picks and dreams roamed these mountains, prospectors processed gold ore at this place. Today the site holds an apple orchard surrounded by a rail fence. Continue walking on 79A a short distance to its meeting with Trail 65. To stay on the trail, walk between the posts stuck in the ground at intersections, and watch the trees for arrow signs labeled, "65." Rocks on the trail make the going rough and necessitate keeping your eyes down to avoid a sprained ankle. Even so, don't miss the remains of an old miner's cabin, three logs high, about 20 feet to the right of the trail. The hike of less than 2 miles takes about 90 minutes and deposits you 700 feet higher than the starting point.
Trail Guide
Length: 1.75 miles, one, way
Elevation: 6,740 to 7,443 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Directions: The Senator Highway, also marked County Road 56, begins at the top of Mount Vernon Street, on the east end of downtown Prescott. Drive south on the Senator Highway to a sign pointing left toward Crown King. Turn left. Follow the road to a right fork and a sign pointing toward the Whispering Pines Camp. From there, continue .3 of a mile and turn right onto Forest Service Road 79. Drive 1.1 miles to a bridge across the Hassayampa River and another .4 of a mile to FR 79A. Park roadside and begin the hike by walking up the hill along 79A to Trail 65. The total distance from the top of Mount Vernon Street to where you park and walk is 9.9 miles.
Information: Prescott National Forest, Prescott Ranger District, 928-443-8000; www.fs.fed.us/r3/prescott.
Haunted Canyon
The 7.8-mile one-way Haunted Canyon Trail 203 hides on the fringes of the Superstition Wilderness east of Phoenix. Some stories say the canyon earned its name from Apache tales of woe told to early pioneers. Others tell tales of ghosts and gold. The trail drops down into dark canopy, where at the 2.8-mile mark, the Bull Basin Trail branches off to the west. Over the next several miles, you’ll climb the saguaro-studded canyon rim, and then drop back down to meet Wood Creek before crossing over to Pinto Creek’s tangle of oak limbs and bared roots.
Trail Guide
Length: 7.8 miles, one-way
Elevation: 3,145 to 5,000 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Directions: From Phoenix, drive east on U.S. Route 60. At 12.8 miles past Superior, turn north (left) onto Pinto Valley Road, between Mileposts 239 and 240. The road goes 3 miles to the entrance of Pinto Valley Mine. At the mine entrance, turn left, heading northwest on Forest Service Road 287 for 4 miles to the Haunted Canyon Trailhead, just past the bridge over Pinto Creek. For a one-way hike, leave one car here and continue in another vehicle .2 miles to the junction with Forest Service Road 287A. Drive 4 miles west on FR 287A to the opposite end of the trail into Haunted Canyon.
Information: Tonto National Forest, Superstition Wilderness, Globe Ranger District, 928-402-6200; www.fs.fed.us/r3/tonto.
Lost Goldmine Trail
Lost Goldmine Trail was named in honor of the legend of the Lost Dutchman, Jacob Waltz, who was supposed to have found an old Spanish mine in the Superstitions, but probably took its secret location with him to the grave in the early 1890s. The path meanders west across the foothills at the base of the Superstition Mountains, between the Peralta and Hieroglyphics trails. On the Peralta side, at an elevation of 5,057 feet, the Superstitions’ highest peak rises straight ahead, and locally named Turks Cap hunkers west and slightly south. Flatiron Mountain graces the northwest skyline at the other end.
Trail Guide
Length: 5.75 miles, one-way
Elevation: 2,100 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Location: 50 miles east of Phoenix.
Directions: Take U.S. Route 60 east to Peralta Road. Turn north and drive 8.5 miles. Park in the Dons Camp lower parking lot.
Information: The trail is co-sponsored by Pinal County and the Superstition Area Land Trust; Pinal County Supervisor’s Office, 480-982-0652.
Woods Canyon Trail
This stunning Red Rock Country tail ambles along Dry Beaver Creek, then crosses the stream and heads north into Woods Canyon. After about 20 minutes of brisk hiking along an abandoned jeep trail, you’ll arrive at a check-in station marking the Munds Mountain Wilderness boundary. About an hour into the hike, you’ll reach an intersection of the Woods Canyon and Hot Loop trails. Woods Canyon continues straight ahead; Hot Loop, identified by a metal marker as Trail 94, turns left toward Horse Mesa. From this point, the Hot Loop Trail contours north and east, gradually gaining elevation before topping out on Horse Mesa at 5,200 feet, approximately 1,300 feet above the hike's start. The trail proves rough and boulder-clogged in places, encouraging caution and occasional stops to look west down the broad Verde Valley.
Trail Guide
Length: 5.5 miles, round-trip
Elevation: 3,900 to 5,200 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Directions: Woods Canyon trailhead (#93) is on the east side of State Route 179, 1.5 miles south of Jacks Canyon Road in the Village of Oak Creek.
Information: Coconino National Forest, Sedona Ranger District, 928-282-4119; www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino.
Little Wolf Creek
The remote 2.7-mile Little Wolf Creek Trail in central Arizona’s Bradshaw Mountains has an elevation gain of about 800 feet and offers hikers glimpses of wildlife and opportunities to speculate about what might have occurred along its route during the last century. Beginning on a road that has relinquished its definition to the forces of nature, the trail flirts with the Little Wolf Creek drainage, getting close enough for hikers to see the sparkles of mica-flecked quartz strewn upon its dry creek bed. Within a half-mile, a stone foundation appears. The route soon parts company with the drainage and makes its arduous way up a hillside. Pockets of ponderosa pines that shaded the drainage disappear as the trail reaches a sunbaked ridgeline. Manzanita bushes cover the Bradshaw Mountains’ rounded slopes like a nappy blanket. After another half-mile, the trail passes a ramshackle corral as it heads toward Little Wolf Creek again. Within a mile from the corral, the trail ducks under an old cow gate as it starts to climb out of the drainage and back into the sun-drenched manzanitas. The path quickly heads into an oak forest and then fades to a nuance as it parallels a rusty barbed-wire fence. The trail ends in less than a mile at a working corral.
Trail Guide
Length: 2.7 miles, one-way
Elevation: 5,245 to 6,045 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Directions: From Phoenix, take Interstate 17 north to State Route 69; drive north 7 miles and turn left into the town of Mayer. Turn right onto Main Street and proceed 1.3 miles to a blue and white sign for the Prescott National Forest (First Street). Turn left and follow a jog in the road and two more signs for the national forest to County Road 177; drive 6.5 miles to the sign for Trail No. 304.
Information: Prescott National Forest, Bradshaw Ranger District, 928-771-4700; www.fs.fed.us/r3/prescott.
Robber’s Roost
Not far from Loy Butte, a familiar Sedona landmark, sits the legendary Robber’s Roost. Heading south through an open space at the top of the ridge spur, you’ll come to an unmarked trailhead, barely distinguishable from the surrounding terrain. The trail descends, gently at first, then a bit steeper, going from mostly soil to rocks. Passing a stone outcrop on your right, you’ll swing east onto a level stretch. Here the trail drops onto a south-facing ledge roughly 30 feet below the broad, flat summit. To your left, the cliff falls away, revealing an extensive vista that sweepsouth to distant mountains. A huge opening looms as you round the corner. There stands the mouth of Robbers Roost. The cave’s eroded round “window” measures 6 feet in diameter, while the interior covers roughly 20 feet from front to back, 40 feet in width and 15 feet in height. Modern hands had stacked stones atop the ruined Indian wall that spans the cave’s mouth. A door, steps, separate room and firepit also were added later. The way down lead from the northeastern end of the butte across a south-facing slope of grass, prickly pear and a mixture of juniper trees and other dwarf conifers. You’ll curl around to the west, entering an area where house-size blocks of rock have fallen from the cliff above. From the boulder field, work your way back and forth along the sandstone layers.
Trail Guide
Length: .6 miles, round-trip
Elevation: 4,967 to 5,045
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Directions: From Sedona, travel southwest on State Route 89A to Red Canyon Road, also known as Forest Road 525. Turn right and follow it 12.4 miles where Forest Road 525C branches to the left. Turn left and travel 19.2 miles to Forest Road 9530 on the right. This rough road may require a high-clearance vehicle. You may drive or walk the 1.1 miles to the trail.
Travel Advisory: A Red Rock Pass is required when parking in the national forest to hike in Red Rock Country. Passes are sold on the Internet and at the Gateway Visitor Centers, a variety of local vendors and automated self-pay stations.
Information: Coconino National Forest, Red Rock Ranger District, 928-282-4119; www.redrockcountry.com.
Brins Mesa Trail
The Brins Mesa Trail begins mere blocks from Uptown Sedona, climbing 1.5 miles to a tabletop aerie sandwiched between Brins Ridge and Wilson Mountain. The highlight of this hike is the view, and Sedona's red rock landmarks play starring roles. The 1-mile point – where the real climb begins – offers an ideal turnaround for novices, while the strong of lung might take on the steep half-mile to the mesa's edge. The trail, which begins at the gate to the old shooting range, winds through fresh-scented cypress and piñon pine tress. Manzanita bushes line the route. Despite the lush vegetation, the wide trail conveys an open feeling. At a low spot, about three-quarters of a mile along, the trail forks. The left fork continues the climb to Brins Mesa, named in memory of a wily brindle-colored bull that evaded a roundup on the mesa's high pastures.
Trail Guide
Length: 3 miles, round-trip
Elevation Gain: 600 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Directions: From Uptown Sedona, take Jordan Road north; turn left onto West Park Ridge Drive, which ends at a dirt parking area. A sign indicates Brins Mesa No. 119.
Travel Advisory: Parking on national forest land in Red Rock Country requires purchase of a Red Rock Pass, available at four visitor centers in the Sedona vicinity. Stay on the trail and be respectful of nearby private property. The trail can be hiked year-round, though spring and fall feel most comfortable.
Information: Sedona Ranger District, 520-282-4119. Parking pass information, 520-282-4119; www.redrockcountry.org.
Pieper Hatchery Trail
Hidden below the lofty escarpment of the Mogollon Rim about 12 miles northeast of Payson, the “bones” of Pieper Hatchery lie buried under a thick carpet of vinca. Here, nature slowly reclaims what man has borrowed. The crystal water of Pieper Hatchery Spring that once detoured through raceways and holding ponds now flows freely under a splendid canopy of alder, fir and pine trees. From the parking lot of the Washington Park Trailhead, the path heads north down a gentle slope about 70 yards until it crosses the river – only a dozen feet wide and maybe 10 inches deep at this spot. After walking up a short slope to the Highline Trail (No. 31) sign, turn left onto an old overgrown logging road that parallels the river. After a hundred or so yards of careful picking, you’ll see in the grass the first rusted implements from the old hatchery enticing you forward. Another 200 yards of casual walking through shady silence, and the meadow of the hatchery appears. It’s possible to follow the old road north for about a hundred yards, crossing the East Verde River and traveling up a short slope to the unmarked Colonel Devin Trail. This major trail connects back to the trailhead along the west side of the river.
Trail Guide
Length: Approximately .75 miles, one-way
Elevation Gain: Minimal
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Directions: From the intersection of State Route 260 and State Route 87 in Payson, drive north on State 87 for 2 miles to Forest Road 199 (Houston Mesa Road) and turn right. Drive 10 miles and turn left onto Forest Road 64. Continue .6 of a mile and turn right onto Forest Road 32. Travel 3.3 miles to Forest Road 32A and follow it a half-mile north to the Washington Park Trailhead.
Information: Tonto National Forest, Payson Ranger District, 520-474-7900; www.fs.fed.us/r3/tonto.
West Fork of Oak Creek
It would be a stretch to call this a hike. An amble, maybe or a mosey, perhaps a walk. In any case, the pace proves just right for those who love to stop and smell the roses. And the beebalm, the goldenrods, the taperleaf, the yarrow and the bugbanes, too. The first 3 miles of the hike are marked and the trail crosses the creek several times. After that, there’s no trail up the canyon; instead, you’ll follow the boulder-strewn streambed, detouring to see what’s growing in a sunny meadow or on a shady hillside.
Trail Guide
Length: 3 miles, but can continue beyond that for a total of 14 miles
Elevation Gain: None
Difficulty: Easy
Directions: From Phoenix, drive north 60 miles on Interstate 17 to Sedona and State Route 179, Exit 298. Drive northwest for 15 miles on State 179 to the “Y” intersection with U.S. Route 89A in Sedona. Turn right onto 89A and drive north approximately 10 miles to halfway between Mileposts 385 and 384. The trailhead is at the Call O’ the Canyon day-use area on the left (west) side of the road.
Information: Coconino National Forest, 928-203-7500; www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino.
Picketpost Mountain
Picketpost is nobody’s idea of classic alpine beauty. Clunky and squarish, the mountain resembles a huge, flat-topped iceberg carved from the cliffs of nearby Apache Leap. This “berg,” however, floats more than 1,700 feet above the desert near Superior, about 60 miles east of Phoenix. And its summit encompasses enough flat space to hold two football fields. The most popular track takes hikers directly up the west face. It starts south of U.S. Route 60, and follows a dirt-road section of the Arizona Trail for about a quarter of a mile south before heading southeasterly up an abandoned mine road toward the mountain’s western midsection. From there, a variety of paths converge in a shadowed notch that allows scramblers a passage to the top. Each variation on this route features either treacherous gravel, polished slick-rock, trickling waterfalls, large chockstones or all of the above, making it a stimulating test for the strong and agile.
Trail Guide
Length: Approximately 4 miles, round-trip
Elevation Gain: 2,000 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Directions: From Phoenix, take U.S. Route 60 east to Forest Road 231 at approximately .4 of a mile east of Milepost 221 (5 miles west of Superior). Turn south and proceed for about .3 of a mile to a “T” intersection with an old paved road. Turn east and continue .6 of a mile to a parking area at the Arizona Trail’s Picketpost Mountain trailhead.
Travel Advisory: This is not an official Forest Service trail. Some scrambling and route-finding ability are required. Best weather conditions exist from November to April. Carry water.
Information: Tonto National Forest, Globe Ranger District, 928-402-6200; www.fs.fed.us/r3/tonto.
Parsons Trail
Parsons Trail is considered the “easy trail” into the harsh beauty of Sycamore Canyon Wilderness, probably because nearly everyone can manage the first 2 miles. The trail begins as a gentle, shaded promenade on a well-worn path through dense riparian forest dominated by cottonwoods and sycamores. About 2 miles from the trailhead, Summers Spring adds to Parsons Spring’s flow, enabling lower Sycamore Creek to flow year-round for about 4 miles before merging with the Verde River. Beyond a popular beach and swimming hole, the canyon closes tighter around the trail. Columns of boulders jacketed in wire mesh mark six stepping-stone fords. Parsons Trail begins from a parking lot at the end of Forest Road 131, then descends steeply about 200 feet to a fork. Packard Mesa Trail No. 66 turns left up Packard Mesa toward the upper Sycamore Canyon Wilderness. Keep right for Parsons Trail. You can spot Parsons seeping out from beneath twisted roots at the base of the canyon wall to form a long pool of flat water.
Trail Guide
Length: 4 miles, one-way
Elevation Gain: None
Difficulty: Easy
Directions: From Interstate 17 take State Route 260 to State 89A through Cottonwood, then take the turnoff for Tuzigoot National Monument. After crossing the bridge at the Verde River, turn left onto Sycamore Canyon Road, Forest Road 131, and follow the road along the river up onto Duff Flat. The pavement quickly ends but the dirt road is suitable for passenger cars. Follow the signs to Sycamore Canyon and the clearly marked trailhead, about 11 miles from the Tuzigoot road.
Information: Coconino National Forest, Sedona Ranger District, 928-282-4119; www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino.
SCENIC DRIVES
Beaver Creek
This drive through Beaver Creek country, northeast of Camp Verde, offers history, rock art, hiking and spectacular views. The route, suitable for passenger vehicles, begins on Beaver Creek Road just off Interstate 17. The first nod to the region’s history takes place at the Montezuma Well section of Montezuma Castle National Monument. The ancient Sinagua Indians formed a thriving farming community there beginning about A.D. 900. A short walk uphill along a paved trail takes you to the well that provided the Sinagua with much-needed water, but that isn’t the only water in the region. Hike down the hill’s back side to lush Wet Beaver Creek, where water spills over terraced boulders that are shaded by sycamore and ash trees. A few miles down the road from the well, three popular trails – Bell, White Mesa and Apache Maid — lure hikers. From that point, the road travels across several one-lane bridges and a country boarding school to the V-Bar-V Heritage Site, where after a short half-mile hike, visitors can see more than 1,300 petroglyphs depicting everything from snakes to humans with walking sticks. From there, drive past the M Diamond Ranch through rolling hills and flat-topped mesas back to State Route 260 that connects to I-17.
Tour Guide
Route: From Interstate 17 at McGuireville, Exit 293, turn right onto East Beaver Creek Road and drive 4.2 miles through the towns of McGuireville and Rimrock to the entrance to Montezuma Well. The pavement ends here and the road becomes Forest Road 119. Past Montezuma Well, continue for 3 miles to the intersection with Forest Road 618 and turn right onto FR 618 (paved) and drive another 1.9 miles, past the parking area for the three trails to the entrance of the V-Bar-V Heritage Site. There, you’ll find a modified T-intersection with a small desert island in the middle. Turn right there to go to V-Bar-V. From that intersection, travel 3.8 miles south to the M Diamond Ranch and from there, drive another 7.2 miles to State Route 260 and turn right to go to Camp Verde and I-17.
Beaver Prescott to Seligman
If you like roller coasters, then you’re in for a heck of a ride through these Central Arizona highlands. Granite Mountain anchors the beginning of the route along Williamson Valley Road in Prescott. This handsome, but wild country is filled with creeks, peaks and canyons, where you’ll want to keep an eye out for pronghorns, elk, mule deer, javelinas and even mountain lions. On the first third of the journey from Prescott, the road is paved, but thereafter, a graded dirt-and-gravel road demands a leisurely pace. The road winds for 70 miles to Seligman, passing landmarks such as Indian Hill, a site with ruins that date back hundreds of years, Walnut Creek, and the Juniper Mountains, where dense forest gives way to the open range. At the end of the road sits the little town of Seligman, which has made a name for itself as a living memorial to glory days of Route 66.
Tour Guide
Route: Begin in Prescott at Sharlot Hall Museum, 415 W. Gurley Street. Drive west on Gurley .2 miles to Grove Avenue and turn right (north) onto Grove. Continue for 1.2 miles to Iron Springs Road and turn left (west) driving 1.3 miles to the intersection with Williamson Valley Road, also signed Yavapai County Road 5. Turn right and head north for 70 miles to Route 66 at Seligman (just north of Interstate 40).
Beaver Rock Springs to Cordes
During Arizona’s Territorial era, rough-hewn prospectors called the Bradshaw Mountains home. This rugged country of jumbled boulders, steep cliffs and craggy canyons provides a backdrop as dense stands of saguaros, creosotes and palo verde trees hug the foothills leading to the mountains. It’s fitting that the roads that travel through this country are primitive. But starting the trip with a hearty slice of apple pie at Rock Springs Café will give travelers the mettle and energy they need to follow this 21-mile route. Begin on the Interstate 17 frontage road along the west side of the freeway. At Black Canyon city, the old road turns into Maggie Mine Road at the Black Canyon greyhound racetrack. The pavement soon ends and you’ll need a high-clearance, four-wheel-drive vehicle because for about 5 miles, the road climbs over three steep hills. The road climbs the east flank of Black Canyon before joining Bumble Bee Road, which offers a little smoother ride. Passing through the old town of Bumble Bee, drive another 3 miles to the intersection of Forest Road 259, where you can turn left and continue on to the mountain town of Crown King (be aware this route have several switchbacks and some precipitous drops along the side of the road) or turn right and follow the road to Cordes, which leads back to I-17.
Tour Guide
Route: From Phoenix, follow Interstate 17 north to Rock Springs, Exit 242 and turn right (west) to Black Canyon Highway. Follow the road north to the intersection with Maggie Mine Road next to the greyhound park. Continue north for 5 miles, where the road intersects with Bumble Bee Road. The route continues north to Forest Road 259. Turn right onto FR 259 to go to Cordes. (You can also turn left to drive into Crown King and then backtrack to the intersection, but beware of the switchbacks as you travel along the mountain road). From Cordes continue north to State Route 69 or east to Interstate 17.
Beaver Horseshoe Reservoir to the Middle Verde River
Indulge in the color and beauty of nature on this scenic drive to the remote middle stretches of the Verde River. Located on the outskirts of metropolitan Phoenix, this back road drive gives adventure a new definition. Enjoy the wet terrain as you pass through Seven Springs — a delightful, little-known oasis — and indulge in the 40-yard-wide flowing Verde River. Roll past lush cottonwoods, sycamores, ash and mesquite trees along road that is only accessible with a four-wheel-drive vehicle.
Tour Guide
Route: From Phoenix, take Cave Creek Road northeast to Forest Road 24. At the intersection of Cave Creek Road and FR 24, turn left (north).After about 9 miles, you’ll reach Seven Springs. Continue for 17 more miles on FR 24 to Forest Road 269. Turn right (east). Take FR 269 for 12 miles to the Verde River. Leaving the Verde River, backtrack on FR 269 to FR 24 and continue west on 269 (Bloody Basin Road) for 27 miles to Interstate 17 (Milepost 259). Turn left (south) for a return to Phoenix.
Handy access to Cave Creek Road in Phoenix includes:
- State Loop 101’s Exit 28, where you turn north onto Cave Creek Road and continue to FR 24.
- Interstate 17, Exit 223, where you turn right (east) onto the Carefree Highway and go about 14 miles to Cave Creek Road and turn left and continue to FR 24.
- Scottsdale Road or Pima Road north to Cave Creek Road, where you turn right (east) and continue to FR 24.
Additional Information: Tonto National Forest, Cave Creek Ranger District, 480-595-3300; www.fs.fed.us/r3/tonto.
Beaver Heber to Mogollon Rim
If you’re interested in taking a not-so-average drive, the Heber to Mogollon Rim route will fill your imagination with mystery, terrestrial life, lynching and beautiful women. This scenic and spooky drive is a great backcountry trek that is most popular from April through November. Learn the mysterious history of the area along two historic trails — one a famous military road, the other a cattle route dating from the 1880s. Your journey eventually ends along this road, but the amazing stories ranging from the three men who were mysteriously lynched to the ranch full of beautiful women and a world famous UFO abduction, will keep you trucking along. The back road from Heber to the Mogollon Rim may require a high-clearance vehicle.
Tour Guide
Route: Start on State Route 260 in Heber, just west of Milepost 304. Turn south onto Black Canyon Lane, which eventually feeds into Forest Road 86. Follow it through a small residential area and you will break out toward the Rim. About 13 miles after turning onto Black Canyon Lane, you’ll come to the signed turnoff on the right for Black Canyon Lake, a short distance off FR 86. Leaving the lake, continue west-southwesterly on 86 for about 2 miles (if you reach Forest Road 300, you’ve driven too far) to the junction with a primitive road called Spur No. 9 for a brief side trip. Back on 86, continue a short distance to the junction with FR 300 and turn left (east). About 12 miles from the 86-300 junction, turn left (north) onto Forest Road 125 and continue for about 5 miles through Phoenix Park and onto Forest Road 124. Turn right (east) on FR 124 and go 3.75 miles to Forest Road 146. Turn left (north) and drive 3 miles to State 260, about 10 miles east of Heber.
Additional Information: Apache Sitgreaves National Forests, Black Mesa Ranger District, 928-535-7300; www.fs.fed.us/r3/asnf.
