South Fork Trail near Payson

[Nan]

Has anyone hiked this trail recently? The last triplog is 2+ years old, right after a major fire trashed the trail. Has the area recovered sufficiently to make it worth the drive up from Mesa?

[PrestonSands]

The brush is growing back on the lower hills, and there are still alot of fir trees near the top of the trail. The extra-moist monsoon this year has brought a lot of green grass and wildflowers to the Mazatzals. But, having never hiked the South Fork Trail, that is all I can offer. Also, most of the trails I've hiked in the Mazatzals where the Willow Fire burned are seriously eroded or overgrown, so be prepared to find your own route up there. If you end up hiking it, please post some pictures

[Nan]

I always post pictures!

But I wound up hiking See Canyon this weekend instead - looking for a bit more shade this time.