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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

Just because it isn't private doesn't mean it's free to public roaming. Being in the Tonto National Forest you would think it is, but that may be a dicey area. Regardless of who owns it, if it says "access denied", "stay out" or similar that's the right of the owner be it a private party or government. Keep us posted as to what you find.

joe bartels wrote:Just because it isn't private doesn't mean it's free to public roaming. Being in the Tonto National Forest you would think it is, but that may be a dicey area. Regardless of who owns it, if it says "access denied", "stay out" or similar that's the right of the owner be it a private party or government. Keep us posted as to what you find.

yep, totally. thanks for saying that. will be interesting to see if the private landowner has done something on the public land to scare off attempters, too?

They payson ranger station said as long as you stay off the property you can go where you want....

So then what's the worry or did they not say what property?

No worry.. I was just wondering if anyone had ventured in this way.. and what people thought about possibly going this way

It'll be interesting so see what you find.

with my luck there be some redneck shootin beer bottels on his land

joshvk121 wrote:with my luck there be some redneck shootin beer bottels on his land

target practice for the next guy who shows up out there to swim?!

LOL

"Get bosy livin or get busy dying" Shawshank redemption

I cant spell .... wonk wonk wonk

don't worry guys... i'm going there sunday, i'll be the first to be shot! i'm taking that southern route if i can park my car without being towed!

p.s. who needs GPS? just remember, up is always north and down is always south

If you look at the area on Google earth, you can see a number of rabbit/4X4 trails that lead North from the main road. You could head up one of these and park and then make your way back down to the narrows, probably looking at a 3 mile hike. But, when I compared to the Tonto map, none of those roads are posted as designated FR's. If I was going to head up there again, I would call the Payson ranger district and get a read on how strict they are on towing. I believe if you ask anyone in Gisela, they are going to tell you to go away and take your Teva's with you.

Xiled1 wrote: If I was going to head up there again, I would call the Payson ranger district and get a read on how strict they are on towing. I believe if you ask anyone in Gisela, they are going to tell you to go away and take your Teva's with you.

Good points. But, I would tell the locals that I don't own any Teva's... just Keen's! :-)

hmmm. thats my second choice, going north along sandy wash. if there is no sign, they can't legally tow you so i'll keep my eyes open for them.

Xiled1 wrote:If you look at the area on Google earth, you can see a number of rabbit/4X4 trails that lead North from the main road. You could head up one of these and park and then make your way back down to the narrows, probably looking at a 3 mile hike. But, when I compared to the Tonto map, none of those roads are posted as designated FR's. If I was going to head up there again, I would call the Payson ranger district and get a read on how strict they are on towing. I believe if you ask anyone in Gisela, they are going to tell you to go away and take your Teva's with you.

ok those rabbit roads along sand wash are FS roads... 590 and 208 specifically. i can access Houston Creek from there... however the Payson Ranger station mentioned that you could possibly access the narrows from near that private property [further south] but i would have to find a safe place to park... one that is technically on a FS road... seeing that there really aren't any there, i will have to get creative. there is an unmarked trail that heads to Gisela Mtn, so i'm sure i can bushwack north east from that trail head to access the Narrows way quicker than dealing with the dirt road up to Houston Creek. i'll post what happens... that is if i don't get killed

mcoplea wrote:just Keen's!

+1

Good let me know if you can park there.. someone said that road was boulderd off.

joshvk121 wrote:Good let me know if you can park there.. someone said that road was boulderd off.

i thought they meant the one that keeps going on the north side of the creek was bouldered off... if so, there are some trailheads just south of that fork, so i plan on driving back and finding a safe parking space there. i'm determined to find a route!