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| Hiking | 15.80 Miles |
1,510 AEG |
| | Hiking | 15.80 Miles | 5 Hrs | | 3.16 mph |
| 1,510 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | | I started the hike from the "East" Trailhead off of Forest Service Road 136 - it was more like 2.6 miles from the junction of US60 & 260 as you're heading toward Heber/Payson. It was a perfect day - almost - to have taken this entire loop (the "almost" is only mentioned because the brief but strong rain created some havoc on the trail). There seemed to be more horse use than foot use evident on this trail. The trail is well marked although careful observance of the white diamond trail markers is essential in a few places. I did have to backtrack one time to make sure I picked up the trail. The clouds were a little grey and the forecast gave a 20% chance of rain. Well, it began to sprinkle and I thought, "this is heaven". But, then it let it down pretty hard and soon the trail was running full of water making it impossible to stay on the trail and slowing my progress. As is typical of Arizona rains, it soon stopped, the water stopped running, but then I continued to contend with the slippery mud - needing to stay off the trail for a mile or so. As the loop turned south, I found dry ground again and picked up the pace. I didn't observe any wildlife, but there were tracks all over and I could hear a bugling elk. I say no wildlife, but I did run into about a half dozen cows with calves who simply gave me the curious eye but could care less I was there. I didn't see another soul the whole day and it was a peaceful although tiring walk. There are portions of the trail that require you to walk on small river rock and it pained my feet dearly. If you don't have time to do the full loop, I highly recommend going south out of the trailhead parking lot as if doing the loop backwards (clockwise). If you do this, you can enjoy a wonderful serene, flat and smooth walk through some great ponderosa pine forest. However, doing the full loop counter-clockwise does take you into some sections of the burned area (I believe from the Rodeo-Chedeski fire) which is interesting. This trail could be quite warm if taken in the full summer sun because good chunks of the distance are in relatively open terrain - mostly scrub oaks. By and large a great trail and well worth taking. |
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Autumn Foliage Observation None
Temps were in the 60's & 70's, I didn't observe any leaves changing colors yet. |
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Route Editor
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