Gardner Canyon Trail #143, AZ

2014 Update
Mileages have been updated to reflect the permanent road closure and trailhead now beginning 1 mile east of when this description was written. As part of the road closure, this road has been improved and is not nearly as "ugly" as originally described.


This is a pleasant but otherwise undistinguished trail at the end of a really ugly road. Only the final four miles present a challenge, but negotiating those four can consume most of an hour... one could almost walk it faster. Most of the problems arise at stream crossings, of which there are five, where the grade in and out of the creekbed is steep. It's the sort of situation where you realize after you've committed to going that you don't remember if the differential is left or right of center and your passenger is hyperventilating and can't advise you in that regard. The right person in the right vehicle could drive this road in 2WD, but I was grateful to have 4L and not too proud to use it.

There's a large parking area at the end of the road, can't imagine it's ever full, with lots of trash scattered around. I thought this might indicate a littered trail as well, but that was not the case. The trailhead is clearly marked with a steel sign, and the trail leads directly west up Gardner Canyon through dense deciduous forest. After crossing the creek a couple of times, the trail turns south up a side drainage, still climbing gradually. There are signs of equestrian travel here but no bike or ATV tracks, which is appropriate because the trail lies entirely within Mt. Wrightson Wilderness. At the 2.1 mile mark, the trail emerges at a saddle in a clearing at 6,900 feet. Walker Basin Trail enters here from the south, 2.6 miles from its beginning.

From this point, Gardner Trail climbs more steeply along an east-facing ridge. A few dead trees lie across the track, but the trail is otherwise well maintained with no signs of horses from here on. Pines appear, first pinons then ponderosa and frequent breaks in the hedge grant panoramic views down Gardner Canyon toward the Mustang Mountains. The trail tops the ridge in a couple of places allowing level walking for fairly long stretches. At 8,000 feet fire has created an open forest park with large ponderosas and a few white pines. 3.75 miles from the parking area Gardner Trail joins Super Trail at 8,400 feet, 0.7 miles, and 450 feet below Baldy Saddle.

At 5.3 miles, the Gardner/Super/Crest Trail combination is the shortest route to Mt. Wrightson summit. Due to its location on the east side of the mountain, it receives good sun exposure through mid-afternoon, is shielded from prevailing westerly winds, and is essentially ignored by other hikers. Link it to Cave Canyon Trail, also accessed from Gardner Canyon and you have a 12.5-mile loop that should be a strenuous but pleasant day hike. But then there's that damn drive in and out.

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2003-11-08 BelladonnaTook