Highline trail

CindyC · Post by **CindyC** » Jul 29 2002 5:59 pm

Has anyone done the Highline Trail from 87 to the 260 trailhead or better yet Woods Canyon? I have been wanting to do this for years. I just took on an additional job for 60 days that would put me at 14 hr. very physical workdays. I thought that if I made this my 'reward' it would make the next 60 days more bearable,besides I think it would be beautiful in the autumm. :P If anyone has done this; how long did it take? Also, what is the terrain like? Thanks!

joebartels · Post by **joebartels** » Jul 29 2002 6:15 pm

Cindy

I bet jeremy has!

If nobody responds try e-mailing this guy

http://hikearizona.com/dex2/profile.php ... ofile&u=33

Randy · Post by **Randy** » Jul 29 2002 6:37 pm

Cindy, it was years and years ago, just after the Rim had risen out of the then ocean that covered Arizona.....(Maybe longer than that, as it was THREE trucks ago, and I keep 'em for about 250k)

This is what I recall: We did the section from Camp Geronimo to Horton Spring and back down the Horton Trail to Tonto Creek. We spent 4 days on that, but we weren't racing. We went west to east. The first night was about four miles east of Bray Creek, the second near Dude, and I don't remember the third. A portion of that trail was burned by the Dude fire.

The route doesn't climb dramatically between Geronimo and Horton, mostly just up and down around the contours, 2-3 hundred feet up then down. Not too tough. The Section from SR 87 to Geronimo isn't too far, we chose to skip it as we didn't want to leave a truck alongside the highway that long....I would guess that the whole sheebang from Pine to the Two Sixty trailhead is about 55-60 miles. There must be about 800 more feet to climb to 260, not too bad. Youy could do it in 6 days no problem, maybe less if you wanna push for 12 or more a day. Gear is lighter now, and that was in the days when I carried a real 35 mm camera made out of metal not plastic, and a heavy sidearm.

Most of the route was blazed with the old CCC style axe cuts in tree trucks, one small gash over one long one. An area around Ellison or Perly Creek hopped around a bit by using an old logging road for a while. There were a few signs there, and at major junctions. I'd ask Payson RS what is marked now. It would be a good hike for kids or novices, as the Control Road parallels the route from SR 87 almost to Tonto Creek, and in the event of trouble, all you have to do is head south and you'll cut that road in 3-4 miles max. I'll run it on my Topo software and check the mileage. -Randy

Lizard · Post by **Lizard** » Jul 29 2002 8:57 pm

I did this hike a few years ago. It is 51 miles for the whole thing, and it took me 3 1/2 days to complete. The trail is well marked and easy to follow. I carried only the planimetric Tonto NF map and was able to follow the route easily. As Randy said, the portion between the East Verde River and the Tonto Fish Hatchery was burned in the Dude Fire, so there are many fallen trees to climb over and many scenic views which have opened up. This is a spectacular hike and well worth doing. I plan to do it again soon. There is plenty of water all along the route. The terrain is fairly easy- no huge mountains or canyons to cross- however it is a bit of a rollercoaster. The trail goes down one side of a wash, then back up the other side, over and over and over again.

There is some good information on this trail here:

http://gorp.com/gorp/resource/us_trail/az_highl.htm

Lizard

jeremy77777 · Post by **jeremy77777** » Jul 30 2002 6:08 am

Oh YEAH! The highline trail is GREAT! If you want to stretch the hike over the space of six days, you'll have a very easy time and you won't have to push yourself. But it could be done in 3-4 days. During the Monsoon is a fun time to go if you don't mind wearing a poncho while you hike. I have done this hike many times. I would rate this hike as one of AZ top ten. It is just beautiful. You rarely see anyone. Most of the time you feel like the only person on earth. (Unless you're with someone) But if you are thinking about doing this hike, GO FOR IT! It will be a great experience. Now you got me wanting to go. I'm going to be thinking about it all day at work now. Maybe I'll have to take some sick leave due to my...um...flu..yeah, that's it! My flu!

jeremy77777 · Post by **jeremy77777** » Jul 30 2002 6:11 am

And one more thing, autumm is the best time to go. still not very cold and not very hot. Thats when I would suggest. But that's just me. Have fun with work Cindy

CindyC · Post by **CindyC** » Jul 30 2002 11:28 am

Thanks for all the info. Sounds perfect! I hope I can pull this off, always seems that life gets in the way somehow. I doubt I know anyone to go with me so be warned; if I do this I'm going to try to rope someone here to go with! :twisted:

MaryPhyl · Post by **MaryPhyl** » Jul 30 2002 11:46 am

This is a trip report a friend of mine posted a couple of years ago:

http://www.myoan.net/cgi-bin/ubb/ultima ... 043#000000

CindyC · Post by **CindyC** » Jul 30 2002 3:02 pm

WOW! Thanks MaryPhil. That gentleman is exactly why I don't want to do this alone. It is not only long but more important unfamiliar to me. What a wonderful trip they had!

After reading all this I have changed my plans from Havasu to the Highline trail for sure. Plus I figure I won't have as much time to be ready for the Grand Canyon with all the hours I'll be working. Guess it was meant to be.

Highline trail

Highline trail

Hi line