Payson / Pine Hikes?

[VeganAZ]

We'll be going up 87 / 260 / 487 from Phoenix to Flagstaff -- never been in that area. Lots of hikes on the maps -- looking for 1-3 decent hikes for the day. Maybe 1-2 hours each, can be rugged. Thanks!

[chumley]

First of all,

Now for the dirt: 487 is one of those anomalies of Google Maps. It doesn't actually exist.

It is known on signs as Lake Mary Road, or otherwise Forest Highway 3 (FH3). If you look for 487, you'll miss your turn!

Also, if you head that way, note that you will be on (and follow signs for) AZ-87 North. While AZ-260 West utilizes the same road for about 25 miles north of Payson, it turns west toward Camp Verde about 15 miles before the turn for FH3.

As for hikes, there's quite a few that populate the TrailDex Map. I would click on any in the area you are looking for, and choose what suits your desires and abilities based on the descriptions, triplogs, and photos.

http://hikearizona.com/location_g.php?L ... =11&M=2&G=
Click on "0 Hikes" in the top left, and then mark the check box and click "find hikes" for the map to populate.

If you're coming from Tucson, it will take you 3 hours to get to Payson. 20 miles north of Payson, AZ-87 ascends the Mogollon Rim and you get up to 7,000 feet and things get cooler and more desirable for daytime hikes in the summer heat. The drive on AZ-87 and FH3 all the way to Flagstaff is a beautiful trip through the pines.

[cabel]

Fossil Springs this time of year!!!

[JoelHazelton]

If it was me, I wouldn't try and rush through 3 hikes in one day. That's just my opinion. Kinder Crossing would be a short side-excursion, or if you have a truck with some clearance check out the Tramway trail. Both can be easily done as dayhikes and have big payoffs. They're up near Lake Mary Road.