Old Forest Road #9707T, AZ

Overview
This is an old forest road, now a named and numbered hiking/biking/equestrian trail, one of two options linking Sierra Prieta (Dark Mountain) Trail #366 to the rest of the Thumb Butte trail system.


This trail is used as part of a loop hike since it neither starts nor ends at a trailhead.Hike
From the intersection of Sierra Prieta Trail #366 and Old FR #9401J, you stand on a ridgeline with good views in most directions. Start hiking to your north along a sandy path that shortly becomes obvious that it is an old forest road. After a bit, it becomes rockier and more road-like. There are great views of Granite Mountain to your north, and Williams Peak towers over you to the west. The trail has a very steady grade downhill (if traveling to the north).

At about a mile, you start to approach Butte Creek. Here you will reach the one possible confusing point, where Old FR #9707T meets an unnamed forest road that proceeds west. The intersection is marked by a degraded carsonite post. Basically, Trail Old FR9707T goes south and east at this intersection. Do not go west if you wish to stay on the trail.

Butte Creek is very pleasant when flowing, and there is good shade should you choose to take a break here.

As you proceed to follow the creek, generally east, you will cross it and might get your feet wet when it is really flowing.

As you reach the end of the trail it will turn north and will climb a small slope to join with Potts Creek #327 (old Forest Road #51).

2021-09-06 nonot