Tonto Narrows Access

[mcoplea]

I know the main TH access to the Tonto Narrows is now closed. We are looking for some alternate routes to get back there for a dayhike. Anyone know of a good TH or access point to hike back there now?

Thanks!

Admin edit: use this route

[jaysmith]

I heard there is a way to get to the Narrows up through Payson and down, but not sure how... oh here it is!
check out the comments below Hiker Gary's triplog. Xiled1 lists some alternate directions to the area. Hope this helps!
http://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=132&EXT=T

[chumley]

There was a thread about this a few months ago with some useful information.
Also, if you view the MyTopo layer on the TrailDex map, the property lines are defined quite clearly. Just avoid private property and you'll be fine.
http://www.hikearizona.com/dex2/viewtop ... to+narrows

[mcoplea]

Thanks for the info. Does anyone know the GPS coords for the cliffs at the bottom of the narrows?

[jaysmith]

I don't, since I've never been there myself...good luck!

[joshvk121]

i was looking at a map and there appers to be a road about a half a mile from the trail head that veers right down through the creek and end at and unknown trail head. This road is not on private property and it appers that it might be possible to get to the narrows. It is south of the propery line. We will try this way in august the only problem is the road has possibly been boulderd off so we will just get dropped off at this road and try hiking down it.. If anyone has gone this way please let me know.

[sarichter]

i was looking at a map and there appers to be a road about a half a mile from the trail head that veers right down through the creek and end at and unknown trail head. This road is not on private property and it appers that it might be possible to get to the narrows. It is south of the propery line. We will try this way in august the only problem is the road has possibly been boulderd off so we will just get dropped off at this road and try hiking down it.. If anyone has gone this way please let me know.

i saw the same road... i'm going to look into the sandy wash that goes north to connect to houston creek

[joebartels]

I don't know for sure as I haven't been there yet in years. From what I hear, if you park anywhere on those old roads leading to the old access you'll get towed.

You can access from Young but that would take forever just to get to the TH.

The main option everybody thinks of is down Houston Creek. Which will work though I don't know exactly how, Todd spent 5 hours in that canyon from the bottom. The other option I can think of is to park on the other side of town (it's a tiny town) and follow the creek over. However I haven't done it and for all I know the entire town is on the lookout...lol They really did need to close the access, the garbage situation was horrid. A large HAZ group did a clean up back in 2003.

[azdesertfather]

The other option I can think of is to park on the other side of town (it's a tiny town) and follow the creek over. However I haven't done it and for all I know the entire town is on the lookout...lol

It looks to me, too, that part of the creek is on "private" land near Gisella, so that could get you in trouble...particularly if they're "on the lookout"

[joebartels]

Yeah you need to skirt it a little

[joshvk121]

[Kenny]

That sucks... I was going there tomorrow, glad I was lookin around.

[joebartels]

In response to joshvk121:
josh that's the old access that is now blocked off

Anybody that can hike with a map or gps won't have trouble with the two routes I posted. The only difficult part is likely the heat this time of year.

[joshvk121]

if i were to get droped of there and hike down the road it shouldnt be a problem right...?

[JoelHazelton]

In response to joshvk121:
Josh- the trail is on private land. From the sounds of it, both the trail and the access road are closed.

[joshvk121]

according to the topo map that part of gisela rd is not on private property.

[joshvk121]

were gonna find our own trail around the property this is our goal.. that road is not on private property. where it ends it looks like straight north and east is the property line... im talking about the old acsess road.. look at my pic i posted..

[joshvk121]

In response to joe bartels:
if i were to get droped of there and hike down the road it shouldnt be a problem right...? As long as i stay off the private property...

[azdesertfather]

In response to joe bartels:
if i were to get droped of there and hike down the road it shouldnt be a problem right...? As long as i stay off the private property...

Again, this is chumley's map showing the private property.

As long as you skirt those and you're walking/parking on public land, you shouldn't have any problem. Although, if you look at the priviate property near the old trailhead, it might be a challenge to skirt around. I wasn't paying a lot of attention to the area off the beaten trail, last time I was there. If you park somewhere in town and choose wisely, you should be able to get away with that too... :whistle:

[joshvk121]

how up to date is the topo map on this site.....

In response to joe bartels:
if i were to get droped of there and hike down the road it shouldnt be a problem right...? As long as i stay off the private property...

Again, this is chumley's map showing the private property.

As long as you skirt those and you're walking/parking on public land, you shouldn't have any problem. Although, if you look at the priviate property near the old trailhead, it might be a challenge to skirt around. I wasn't paying a lot of attention to the area off the beaten trail, last time I was there. If you park somewhere in town and choose wisely, you should be able to get away with that too... :whistle:

your pic aint showing up... how up to date is the topo map on this site... did you see the satalite pic i put up thats the way i m going to travel.. getting dropped off and picked up the next night..