oak springs trail

[te_wa]

please note: until June 1st '05, the trail starting at Pine trailhead will be closed due to tree felling and removal. Also, there is some distance in the trail section that dissapears into a residential community about 1/4 mile after the trail crossed the 87 from the Pine trailhead side. If anyone knows where this trail picks up after crossing the dirt road, please tell.

the area is incredible, a slight micro-eden full of oaks and grasses that doesnt take long to explore. The spring is active with a little waterfall, but watch for the poison ivy growing at the top!

I would recommend going south on the Walnut trail down to Tonto Natural Bridge, the trail comes out just downstream. Now THAT would be a cool campsite...

[AZHikr4444]

In response to mikeinFHAZ's reply:

Hey Mike I was just up there last Sunday. I actually went there to check out the Oak Springs Trail, but saw the yellow caution tape and the sign, and opted to hike up to Dripping Spring instead. I saw your write-up, now I will have to explore that trail when it re-opens, although I thought perhaps the noise from 87 might take away some of the enjoyment. It seems most of the way up to Dripping Spring I was hearing the highway.

Mike

[te_wa]

yeah, trish said you were up in those parts!
the problem I was having is that the trail is part of the AZT, but no one seems to have info on the small "dissapearing" section. I mean, Ive done my share of route finding in my day-maybe had an off-day?
anyway the noise from the 87 fades out quickly
i cant say how nice the section from the Pine t.h. is but the area going in from the north is real good (just barely inside the Tonto forest border)

[Trishness]

AZHkr4444 and I checked it out after our stint on the Donahue Trail a few weeks ago and figured we'd return sometime this summer to actually hike it. Sounds like a pretty cool hike once you leave the noise of the highway. Glad to see that you got it done & documented here, Mike!

I'm wondering if they are doing "logging" on the trail to make it more accessible?

The Pine TH is really cool with all the corrals and such. You can't beat the trails up there under those Ponderosas.

:mrgreen: