WEATHERFORD TRAIL

Coconino National Forest near Flagstaff [Link]

Although it’s a long and difficult trek, breathtaking scenery and ever-changing ecosystems make the physical pain of taking on this quintessential mountain trail worthwhile. In less than nine miles, hikers are treated to a stunning journey that begins in grassy glens and ends abruptly on barren tundra beneath Arizona’s highest peaks. From dewy thistles in green alpine meadows to hardy bristlecone pines clinging to bare volcanic scree, this tough route showcases the complexity of nature on San Francisco Mountain.

HIGHLIGHTS: high-altitude forests, alpine meadows and Arizona’s only tundra environment
LENGTH: 12 miles round trip (to Doyle saddle); 16.5 miles round trip (to Fremont saddle); 17.5 miles round trip (to Humphreys Peak)
ELEVATION: 8,800-10,700 feet (11,350 feet to Humphreys junction; 12,633 feet to summit)
RATING: difficult
DOG RATING: *
DISTANCE FROM PHOENIX: 155 miles one way (2.5 hours)

GETTING THERE: From Flagstaff, go north on US 180 to Schultz Pass Road (Forest Road 420). Turn left and continue 6 miles to the Schultz Tank trailhead.

INFO: Peaks Ranger District, 928-526-0866

www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/recreation/peaks/weatherford-tr.shtml

WATERSHED TRAIL

Prescott National Forest near Prescott [PDF Link]

Melding the sweet-scented breezes of pine forests with sunny hillsides blanketed in agaves, manzanitas and cactuses, a hike along Prescott’s Watershed Trail No. 299 is a trip through an ecological transition zone. The trail itself is a mash-up of wide, old roads, groomed paths and eroded walkways, enhancing the hybrid flavor of the hike.

At roughly the half-mile point, look for Deer Lick Spring, a concrete trough situated in a gully off to the right. Here, seeping water fosters an incredibly lush green zone shaded by tall ponderosa pines flanked by beavertail cactuses bursting from rock outcroppings. Over its wavy route, the trail dips into ravines dotted with log homes and crosses high ridges for excellent views of Prescott area landmarks, including Goldwater Lake and the distinctive stony peaks of Granite Mountain and Thumb Butte.

HIGHLIGHTS: mix of lush, shady forests and sunny ridge views
LENGTH: 8.6 miles round trip
RATING: easy-moderate
DOG RATING: **
ELEVATION: 6,200-6,900 feet
DISTANCE FROM PHOENIX: 117 miles one way (2 hours)

GETTING THERE: From downtown Prescott, go east on Gurley Street .3 miles to Mt. Vernon Avenue. Turn south (left) on Mt. Vernon for 4.1 miles as it turns into Senator Highway. The Watershed No. 299 trailhead is on the east (left) side.

INFO: Bradshaw Ranger District, 928-771-4700, www.fs.fed.us/r3/prescott/recreation/trails/pdf/rec_trai_b_watr299.pdf

WATERLINE ROAD-TUNNEL TRAIL

Coconino National Forest near Flagstaff [Link]

Closed to motorized vehicles except for those used by forest service workers to maintain springs on the northeast slope of San Francisco Peaks, this wide road makes for a pleasant stroll with exceptional views of northern Arizona’s cinder cone fields.
The gradual ascent is a cinch to follow and can be hiked in segments using maps available on the Forest Service website. Although ambitious trekkers can opt to sprint the entire length in a day, a popular alternative is to make an out-and-back hike to a 25-foot-long tunnel blasted out of a rampart of volcanic rock.

HIGHLIGHTS: easy route, unique lava tunnel
LENGTH: 14 miles one way or 4 miles round trip to the tunnel
ELEVATION: 8,000-10,400 feet; 9,400 feet to the tunnel
RATING: easy
DOG RATING: **
DISTANCE FROM PHOENIX: 155 miles one way (2.5 hours)

GETTING THERE: From Flagstaff, go north on US 180 to milepost 218.6 and turn right onto Schultz Pass Road (Forest Road 420). Continue 6.5 miles to Forest Road 146, turn left and go .7 miles to a locked gate. Park in the pullouts along the road. Roads are maintained dirt/gravel and are passable by sedan, but high clearance is recommended.

INFO: Peaks Ranger District, 928-526-0866,
www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/recreation/peaks/little-bear-tr.shtml

SUNSET-LITTLE BEAR-LITTLE ELDEN LOOP

Coconino National Forest near Flagstaff [Link]

Deciding which trail to hike in Flagstaff’s Dry Lake Hills can be difficult because there are so many fine trails here. Thankfully, this “three-for” loop hike solves the dilemma. Combining a trio of crowd-pleasing trails, this route swings around high-altitude hillsides in lazy-Susan-style for a smorgasbord of sights and varying levels of difficulty. Each trail embodies a unique collection of sweet spots and curiosities.

Little Bear, one of the newest trails in the area, is a narrow cut on a steep slope wandering among fir forests, crumbling bluffs and stone escarpments overlooking Sunset Crater and the Painted Desert. Sunset Trail showcases glimpses of the San Francisco Peaks as it makes a substantial climb through mixed pine-oak forests and fragrant alpine meadows. Little Elden – the easiest segment – heads northwest through fern-laden foothills and stands of spruce trees to complete the loop.
The hike begins on the Sunset Trail with a 1.6-mile uphill climb to the Little Bear Junction. Turn left (northeast) and head 3.5 miles downhill on Little Bear to the Little Elden junction. Go left (northwest) and hike 1.7 miles back to the trailhead.

HIGHLIGHTS: undulating route with a variety of forests, meadows and views
LENGTH: 6.8 miles round trip
ELEVATION: 7,200-9,000 feet
RATING: difficult
DOG RATING: **
DISTANCE FROM PHOENIX: 155 miles one way (2.5 hours)
GETTING THERE: From Flagstaff, go north on US 180 to Shultz Pass Road (Forest Road 420) at milepost 218.6. Turn right and continue 5 miles on FR 420 to the Sunset trailhead on the right.

INFO: Peaks Ranger District, 928-526-0866,
www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/recreation/peaks/little-bear-tr.shtml

KACHINA TRAIL

Kachina Peaks Wilderness near Flagstaff [Link]

The mountains of Flagstaff are known to create their own weather. In summer, that means it rains almost every day around the peaks, spiking the air over the Kachina Trail with an earthy-sweet dampness. Benefiting from its auspicious location on the windward side of the mountain, this trail sprouts green in rainforest proportions. Aspen clusters mimic whiteout conditions, and hip-deep swaths of frothy ferns tumble over the slopes in vivid emerald waves. Add to this already amazing hike a cozy lava cave, terrific views and fields of lupines growing in manic abundance and it’s easy to understand why this hike ranks as one of Arizona’s best.

HIGHLIGHTS: sun-drenched alpine meadows, musty pine forests, interesting geology
LENGTH: 10 miles round trip
ELEVATION: 8,600-9,500 feet
RATING: moderate
DOG RATING: ***
DISTANCE FROM PHOENIX: 155 miles one way (2.5 hours)

GETTING THERE: From Flagstaff, go north on US 180 for 7.3 miles to Snow Bowl Road (Forest Road 516). Follow FR 516 to the signed turnoff for the large trailhead on the right.

INFO: Peaks Ranger District, 928-526-0866,
www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/recreation/peaks/kachina-tr.shtml

SIXSHOOTER CANYON

Of all the trails in the Pinals, this one (No. 197) is the toughest. The long, brutally steep route is strewn with obstacles: Fallen trees, degrading slopes and derelict signage all contribute to the trail’s difficult rating. Along the way, remains of cabins, mines and a sawmill dot the woodlands, adding a touch of history to this must-hike Arizona trail. Access to the trail begins at the east side of the Icehouse CCC campground.

BONUS SIDE TRIP: Pinal Peak
From trail’s end, hike up to FR 651C, go left (southeast) and follow the dirt road past Upper Pinal campground to the 7,848-foot-tall peak and high point of the range.

HIGHLIGHTS: riparian forests, panoramic views, mining history
LENGTH: 12 miles round trip
ELEVATION: 4,520-7,560 feet
RATING: difficult
DOG RATING: *

INFO: Globe Ranger District, 928-402-6200,
www.fs.fed.us/r3/tonto/recreation/rogs/hikingtrail/grd/SixshooterTrail197.pdf

TELEPHONE TRAIL

The least traveled of the four major uphill routes in the Pinals, this one is not to be missed. Traversing both ridge lines with hazy views of the mines surrounding Globe-Miami and heavily wooded ravines, trail No. 192 follows an underground telephone line that supplies service to the summer cabins and communication towers on the peaks.

The trail ends at the Sixshooter Canyon Trail No. 197 junction, where you can either return the way you came or follow 197 back to the trail head; the distance is roughly the same.

HIGHLIGHTS: ridge line hike with views of Globe-Miami mines
LENGTH: 10 miles round trip
ELEVATION: 4,520-6,720 feet
RATING: difficult
DOG RATING: *

INFO: Globe Ranger District, 928-402-6200, www.fs.fed.us/r3/tonto/recreation/rogs/hikingtrail/grd/TelephoneTrail192.pdf

KELLNER CANYON

Relics of mining and logging operations, a cave, views of Globe-Miami and some of the grandest populations of manzanita shrubs anywhere are just a few of the many points of interest on this trail. From the campsite, hike up Forest Road 112 to Telephone Trail No. 192 on the right. The sign is located about 20 feet uphill in a small dirt turnout along the road. Follow No. 192 for .2 miles to the signed junction for Icehouse Canyon No. 198. Head downhill to the right and pass through a cattle gate. From here, go right and steeply uphill to the wide road at the top of the hill, where there’s a “road closed” sign. Don’t worry, it’s not meant for hikers. Head left and follow the road approximately 1.3 miles to the signed Kellner Canyon Trail No. 242 junction, where you’ll see old water tanks. Veer right onto No. 242 and hike 4.8 miles to the trail’s end at Forest Road 651.

HIGHLIGHTS: mining relics, manzanitas, views of Globe-Miami
LENGTH: 12 miles round trip
ELEVATION: 4,520-7,160 feet
RATING: difficult
DOG RATING: *

INFO: Globe Ranger District, 928-402-6200,
www.fs.fed.us/r3/tonto/recreation/rogs/hikingtrail/grd/KellnerCanyonTrail242.pdf

ICEHOUSE CANYON

It’s a bit tricky to stay on track, but with some attention to detail, hiking to the cool forests high on the slopes of the Pinal Mountains is an exhausting yet memorable adventure. From the campsite, hike up Forest Road 112 to Telephone Trail No. 192 on the right. The sign is located about 20 feet uphill in a small dirt turnout along the road. Follow No. 192 for .2 miles to the signed junction for Icehouse Canyon No. 198. Head downhill to the right and pass through a cattle gate. From here, go right and steeply uphill to the wide road at the top of the hill, where you will see a “road closed” sign. Don’t worry, it’s not meant for hikers. Head left and follow the signs to Forest Road 651, the turnaround point for this hike.

BONUS SIDE TRIP: Signal Peak

From the top of Icehouse Canyon Trail at FR 651, it’s a mere mile to 7,812-foot-tall Signal Peak. Just follow the dirt road directly ahead to the radio towers.

HIGHLIGHTS: amazing trip from the desert floor to pine woodlands
LENGTH: 10 miles round trip
ELEVATION: 4,520-7,560 feet
RATING: difficult
DOG RATING: *

INFO: Globe Ranger District, 928-402-6200,
www.fs.fed.us/r3/tonto/recreation/rogs/hikingtrail/grd/IcehouseTrail198.pdf

RED ROCK CROSSING

Coconino National Forest near Sedona [Link]

Ancient spirits are rumored to inhabit the rusty-red landforms that soar above this enchanting, cottonwood- and sycamore-shaded bend in Oak Creek Canyon. That’s because, in addition to being one of the most photographed locations in the world, Red Rock Crossing also is one of Sedona’s vortex sites – places on earth noted for their high spiritual energy. The area’s beauty and cooling waters attract religious pilgrims, tourists and those who just want to enjoy majestic views and cool breezes along the creek. Many of the trails in the park are stroller- and wheelchair-accessible, while shaded ramadas, restrooms and access to swimming holes, water chutes and fly fishing combine for a memorable, family friendly day trip.

HIGHLIGHTS: kid-friendly, water play, some barrier-free trails, picnic armadas, world-famous views
LENGTH: 2 miles round trip (for the unpaved creek walk)
ELEVATION: 4,000 feet
RATING: easy
DOG RATING: Dogs must stay on leashes and out of the water.
DISTANCE FROM PHOENIX: 122 miles one way (2 hours)

GETTING THERE: Drive west from Sedona on AZ 89A to Upper Red Rock Loop Road (Forest Road 216) and follow the signs to Red Rock Crossing.
FEES: $10 daily fee per vehicle

INFO: Red Rock Ranger District, 928-282-4119, www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/recreation/red_rock/crescentmoon-picnic.shtml