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I'm taking another cue from Phx magazine for north hikes (somewhat) nearby. I'm going to start at the TH on Hardscrabble Road (FR428), take the Oak Spring Trail #16 to the Walnut Trail #251 to FR1655 to FR428 back to the TH. Hard to tell what the mileage will be (we found the magazine's estimates to be way off), but I'm guessing in the 8-10 mile range, probably closer to 8.

you can read my write-up for the Oak Spring from Hardscrabble Rd. trip*
A nicer, yet more difficult (but not technical) is to start at the Pine TH, cross the 87 and follow the trail to a road (houses nearby) go South until you reach Pine Creek draingage. Drop into the narrows, and then come out to the oak spring area where you will pick up the Oak Spring trail once again back (3 miles) to the Pine TH. That was a good one!

*in my description, I list a connection of 2 trails at Oak Spring- in actual terms the Oak Spring trail just keeps going, and the start of the Walnut trail begins. So there is really only 1 connecting trail.
Read the triplogs specifically Lizard and AZoutdoorsman.

After some painful searching I finally figured out where #16 and #251 run. Thanks to te-wa's help I figured I had it sitting on a map on my shelf... http://hikearizona.com/t2008/07/22/2-17 ... 728-01.jpg

The narrows option does look mighty tasty after checking out some photos. Might be a better spring hike with a running creek.

In many sources, 251 and 16 run concurrently south from Hardscrabble road until they split just north of Oak Springs.
Just trivia from the map nerd.
Tony

What maps/books do you have tony?

After the vacation, I have my kid schedule switched around now. I can't go this weekend.

The Forest Service Tonto NF map shows trail 16 extending north from FR 428 and following the side of Strawberry mountain to the Strawberry TH just south of Strawberry itself. That portion, though not signed as #16 (or anything else) goes about 4 miles from the road to the TH. I described it in the Guide as a "mini-golf version of the Highline", for once it gets up on the slope, it stays at that elevation until right near the end.
Anyway, even though the FS trail description omits the northern portion, the only link between the two is that section of 251 running north up the canyon to the road. The FS write up of #16 lists FR 428 as the northern terminus (because they don't always look at their own maps), which re-enforces the notion that the track running up Bear Canyon from the springs is also technically part of trail #16.

Tony

I would like to do this hike - I live in Payson so it's not far for me. What time will you start?

I'll leave my house in Mesa at 5:30 am, so I should be in Payson around 7ish, at the TH by 7:30.

Stiller, sounds like I will be going maybe with my 14 year old son. Are you going to begin at the Pine Trail head? If not do I just keep going on Hardscabble until I see a trail head sign?

Thanks

I was planning to start at the Hardscrabble Road TH. The description in Phx magazine says there is a TH along that road, but the Tonto NF map I have does not show an official TH there. We can meet somewhere in Payson if you want and proceed from there to either find that TH or just start at the Pine TH if it doesn't look safe to park along FR428 (Hardscrabble Rd).

How 'bout meeting at the Home Depot at approx 7am and go from there? I live off of Houston Mesa road about 1.8 miles from 87.

Sounds like a plan, see you there at about 7am. I drive a black Xterra covered with Steeler logos.

I will be in a dark grey 1500 dodge with a ladder rack - sounds like I will surely see you first. Have a great week and I look forward to meeting you.

Stiller, I really look forward to taking a hike with you sometime...you pick some good spots. Unfortunately with my work, Sundays are hard to get off! Hopefully sometime this year. If you ever get a Friday free tho, let me know...we'll hook up

Sunday is normally my only available hiking day due to mine and my wife’s work schedules. Fridays are really tough. About the only available Friday I can think of all year is the Friday after Thanksgiving, and that’s only if something else doesn’t get planned. The way the calendar falls this year, it looks like I’ll probably also take off the Fridays after Xmas and New Years. I’ll post a hike if I decide to do one of those.

The "trailhead" on Hardscrabble Road is little more than a pull-out which might accommodate 2 cars. You'll have to look carefully or the sign to your left. -Tony

That should be about all we'll need. thanks for the info, Tony.

I might be able to make this one, will be driving a teal xterra (blue/green)

If you decide to go, put yourself on the committed list and we can meet and just take one vehicle. We usually get some late stragglers who commit by Sat. afternoon, so we might have a carful.