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Statistics |
| Difficulty 4 Route Finding 2
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| Distance Round Trip |
13.1 miles |
| Trailhead Elevation |
3,307 feet |
| Elevation Gain |
2,920 feet |
| Avg Time Round Trip |
7 hours |
Interest Seasonal Creek
Course Loop Hike |
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| Photos | | |
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11 |
2012-02-26 | kingsnake |
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42 |
2012-02-26 | WilliamnWendi |
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19 |
2011-11-19 | IHike |
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5 |
2010-01-30 | easytec |
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25 |
2009-02-28 | tyrone anderson |
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33 |
2009-01-28 | Jim Lyding |
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19 |
2009-01-25 | Tortoise Hiker |
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13 |
2009-01-25 | Darth Stiller |
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10 |
2009-01-25 | BobP |
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20 |
2007-12-06 | cabel |
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31 |
2007-09-22 | Jim Lyding |
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17 |
2004-02-09 | aaronhales |
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Large Profile |
| Forecast | |
Historical Weather | |
Radar |
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| | Forest Tonto
Wilderness Mazatzal
Backpack - Yes & Connecting
Seasons - Early Autumn to Late Spring | |
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Official Route
 Alternative Routes
 Water
| South Fork - Gold Ridge Loop
| Official Route |
Smorgasborg |
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13.53 mi
3,371 ft |
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| South Fork - Gold Ridge Loop
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0.73 mi
640 ft |
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| South Fork - Gold Ridge Loop
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12.77 mi
3,594 ft |
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| 2 unofficial routes |
| Gold Ridge To Mt. Peeley
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22.11 mi
6,002 ft |
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| Deer Creek Trail #45
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19.31 mi
4,726 ft |
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| Nearby Hikes |
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Area Water Sources |
| direct air miles away to trailhead |
| 0.2 • | South Fork Trail #46 |
| 3.6 • | Jake's Corner Ruin |
| 4.1 • | Shake Tree Canyon |
| 4.2 • | Del Shay Trail #41 |
| 4.5 • | Camp Grasshopper - Mazatzal Main C/Site |
| 4.6 • | Black Mountain Ruin |
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| [ View More! ] | |
| Culture |
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Pioneer Stone Dwelling |
| | Fauna |
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Canyon Tree Frog |
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Ladybug beetle |
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| Flora |
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Hard-skinned Puffball Mushroom |
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| Foot Candy
by Fritzski Mobile Version 
Lets start with the South Fork trail. This could well be the prettiest trail
I've ever hiked in AZ. It's lush, shady, smooth, and fast. Suffice it to say, it
is a nonstop pleasure from start to finish.
It starts out typically as desert scrub for about the first mile then begins to
hug the northern ridge of the South Fork of Deer Creek. This area would be great
for rock hounds as the rocks were of an amazing variety of
colors and textures. You'll find yourself looking down into the
lush
riparian habitat wondering why the trail isn't down
there. Be patient because it
soon drops in for the
remainder of an enchanted trip through a deciduous environment more reminiscent
of a Northern California inland forest than arid AZ.
It struck me immediately how
smooth this trail was
in contrast to the typical AZ rocky terrain. You can literally breeze along the
leaf covered trail without having to carefully
watch each step.
At about the 2.5 mi point you will come across what looks to be the remains of
an
old stone cabin. It is a beautiful little spot
and it appears that some have used it for an overnight camp and a very
unique
setting for a camp fire. At about 5mi round trip,
turning around at this point would be ideal for kids.
Continuing on there were many
small pools of water
despite a lengthy dry spell. A little further up trail at about the 4mi point
you will see a prominent rock formation appear on the immediate left side of the
trail. As you continue around it you will suddenly find yourself standing in the
middle of the stream bed looking straight down from the top of what should be
about a 50' sheer waterfall into an
awesome small canyon.
The terrain is very rocky with the solid granite lending itself to scrambling
around to explore or take photos. My one regret is that I went in dry season,
but rest assured I will be back at amore opportune time to check this one out.
This is the point I would consider turning around for a great "date hike".
But if you still have an appetite for more, you will not go disappointed. I must
interject here that although the beauty tends to masquerade it, this trail does
have a definite vertical climb (3245'accumulated) and there are certain wicked
pitches that will quickly remind you of it.
The next phase of this little journey will lead you into the higher climes of
the
Douglas Fir trees. The forest floor begins to
thin out with a carpet of needles and fallen logs. It begins to take on a
definite Rocky Mountain flavor as you begin nearing the top.
At the top you will suddenly find yourself exiting the woods onto the smooth and
well maintained
FR201. This is about the 6mi point.
Follow it south or left for about a quarter mile to the terminus of the Gold
Ridge trail. If you basically bear to your left at all forks, you'll end up on
the right track. There are several jeep trails in this area in addition to the
forest road and the first 3mi of the Gold Ridge trail is just one of these. I
found this particular area, which is accessible by auto, to have
some of the
nicest camping spots I've seen anywhere.
Proceeding down the G.R. trail on this beautiful little jeep road, all I could
think about was how I wished I were on a mountain bike. Unfortunately it doesn't
continue like that to the bottom - oh well.
As the So. Fork was all valley, this is a total ridge trail which makes for nice
variety. The
views to the north of the Mazatzal and
surrounding peaks are spectacular. The trail flows down nicely to about the 9mi
point where the nice jeep road ends and the trail makes a distinct change to
amore vertical and
brush crowded character. It isn't
really too bad and only lasts about two miles where upon you finally emerge into
a pleasant, "African savannah" looking area all the way to the end.
The only published mileages I could find for these trails were from the Gorp
site and the Forest Service. They were completely different and neither agreed
with my mapping software. Both had the So. Fork as being the longer trail, when
even a cursory glance at the topo would tell you otherwise. The beginning half
mile of both trails is not accurately depicted on the topo. My research puts the
So. Fork at about 6mi and the Gold Ridge at 6.5mi.
Anyway, all I can say is "Hike any or all of the So. Fork trail and you'll be a
happy camper - guaranteed." - Nov 12 2001 Fritzski |
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| Directions |
Preferred Months |
Oct Nov Feb Mar |
| Preferred Start | 9 AM |
Cell Phone Signal | ??? |
Sunrise | 5:21am |
Sunset | 7:23pm |
| Road / Vehicle | TBD |
| Fees / Permit | None
ForestTonto Pass is a forest wide permit for recreational sites and campgrounds. Typically not for trailheads. |
Directions
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Print Version 
The trailhead is literally a stone's throw from highway 87 (no dirt, any vehicle). The turnoff to the trailhead is well marked from SR 87. Turn left across the other lane at the highway 87/188 junction where the rest stop facility is (roughly Hwy marker 235.5).
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Login for Mapped Driving Directions |
WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends. |
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Corrections
