Apache Maid Mountain, AZ

FR 644E is a bit lumpy. Depending on your tolerance, you may need to park a bit before T-Bar Ranch.


T-Bar Ranch is quite a spread. The main cabin is huge. There is also a small side cabin across the creek. Both had running water and electricity. Give yourself an extra 30 minutes to explore them both.The first 1.6 miles are straight dirt road walking on FR 620D. A log-rail fence now protects a good portion of the prairie. You may be able to drive an SUV on FR 620, depending on how bad its mud bogs are.

At the base of FR 620, there is a map board. A sign says trailers are not recommended. If you could get a car this far, it could handle the summit road, no problem. There is enough room to park one vehicle at the seasonal gate 0.6 miles below the summit.

From the map board, it is a twisty 2.6-mile climb up to the summit. The road is really well laid out, so the slope -- 6.6% overall -- never gets too onerous. In 1/4-mile increments: 5.4%, 6.6%, 8.3%, 8.9%, 8.8%, 5.1%, 4.9%, 6.1%, 3.9%, and 8.5%. For comparison, North Mountain (in Sunnyslope) is 15% overall. Personally, despite a recent lack of elevation gain, I didn't need my hiking poles, nor get winded.

There are *great* views along the summit road. The true summit, at the survey marker, is a bit brushed up. If the lookout is open, head up! If not, you can still get up it 20 ft. for 360 views. There is also a good OP behind the pit toilet.

I cannot begin to list all the terrain features visible along the road, or at the summit: Bill Williams Mountain, Kendrick, San Francisco Peaks, Wet Beaver Creek, Verde Valley, Oak Creek Canyon, and more!

2025-11-14 kingsnake