This is a section of the trail which famous Indian fighter General George Crook blazed from Camp Verde to Fort Apache. Besides being of historic note, the Crook Trail follows one of the more striking geologic features in Arizona, the Mogollon Rim. This 2,000 foot escarpment, named for one of the Spanish colonial governors of New Mexico, forms the southern edge of the Colorado Plateau. The trail plays tag with the edge of this 400 mile-long cliff and the road that parallels it across the Forest. At a number of places the path crosses the road to hug the rim and offer spectacular views of the state's central mountains and desert. Four Peaks, the Sierra Anchas, and the Mazatzals stand out among the scenery. At night, the lights of Payson wink up from 2,000 feet down and 15 miles away.

If you would rather not hike all of the trail's 25 miles, you can easily retrace just a part of the route. Nearby roads, most notably FR 300, provide easy access to all portions of the trail. Portions of this trail are part of the Cabin Loop Trail system.
Map
 
One-Way Notice: This hike is listed as One-Way. When you hike several trails on a single "hike", log it with a generic name that describes the hike. Then link the trails traveled, check out the example.