Clover Springs Loop Trail #46 • Hike • Arizona • All Triplogs • HikeArizona.COM

Flagstaff, AZ

Hiking		Apr 18 2025
		mt98dew • Triplogs 2,387

Hiking	4.98 Miles	842 AEG

Hiking	4.98 Miles	2 Hrs 25 Mns	2.06 mph
	842 ft AEG

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Years ago I was in Williams for a day and I wimped out on a morning hike because it was too cold. I was determined not to let that happen this time. There had been rain and possibly snow in the forecast, so I wasn’t sure what to expect when I got up. Got up around 5 with light sprinkles dimpling puddles of standing water. Rain, apparently, had come early. Undeterred, I drove over to Safeway and used that as my starting point. There is only one Starbucks in town (in Safeway) and I knew my wife would appreciate the pick me up, when I got back. It was a little under .5 miles to get to the start of the Williams Link Trail #124.

I had just hiked #124 the previous day, so I got a fresh look at it in the early morning light. The drizzle had changed to a light grapple, so the ground started to get a white dusting. I reached the connection to the Clover Spring Trail in 1.42 miles, (meaning about .4 miles was street walking). The Clover Spring was already in “mid-stride” when I connected to it, so I knew I was going to have to do a lasso to complete it. I decided to do the lasso in a clockwise manner. This involved some moderate climbing along some snow powdered steps. This is a nice trail to begin with, but with the snow-like conditions it was extra special. Went along the ridge for a brief time before reaching the next trail juncture. This was the Connector Trail to the Bill Williams Trail. I had to go past this juncture (maybe .2 miles) to reach the Clover Spring. This also, happened to be where the Buckskiner Trail began. I turned around here and took the Connector Trail over to Bill Williams. By this time snow was in the mix and I could barely make out Bill Williams Mountain as I headed down. It was about .5 miles to get to the Clover Spring Juncture, but I decided to hike the rest of the way down to Bill Williams TH to check it out. It was only an additional .15 miles to reach it. Ok accommodations, trail maps and a bathroom. Satisfied, I went back and took Clover Spring to where it connects to the Williams Link Trail. This was a mild climb compared to what happens after the Williams Link juncture. This entire lasso was nicely forested and easy to follow, even with the snow. There were periodic green chevrons nailed to the trees to help keep you on trail. Took the Williams Link back toward the TH, but deviated slightly as I neared the end and followed a use trail (there were about 5 use trails near the TH) that went in the general direction I want to go. It quickly connected to a rugged dirt road that went back to the neighborhood.

Overall very nice loop. Trails are solid and easy to follow. Distant views are minimal, but you get a fantastic forest experience. And today, it was a fantastic WINTER forest experience. I will say that the signage at the trail junctures were a bit wonky. I would not trust the stated distances on most of the signs. It felt like no matter where I was Bill Williams TH was always .5 miles. Had the trails to myself. No wildlife.

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Sep 03 2023

ScaredyCat

Guides 2
Routes 208
Photos 93
Triplogs 205

male

Joined Aug 08 2020
Phx az

Flagstaff, AZ

Hiking		Sep 03 2023
		ScaredyCat • Triplogs 205

Hiking	8.99 Miles	2,405 AEG

Hiking	8.99 Miles	5 Hrs 11 Mns	2.24 mph
	2,405 ft AEG	1 Hour 10 Mns Break

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Route Recorded on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX

Had been bout 5 years since hiking Bill Williams. Decided to go back and add on Clover Spring. Dld route from Chumley and posted outing. All 5 sign ups showed up and on time.

Took 2 vehicles for lengthy drive. Don't rely on Google to get u there! Not much to see at spring. Steep and beautiful hike. You will climb up to Aspens and mushrooms. Towers, views and ladybugs at peak.

Jun 13 2020

joebartels

Guides 264
Routes 2,799
Photos 14,514
Triplogs 5,896

55 male

Joined Nov 20 1996

Buck - Clover - Ponderosa - Davenport - Dog, AZ

Hiking		Jun 13 2020
		joebartels • Triplogs 5,896

Hiking	12.94 Miles	2,199 AEG

Hiking	12.94 Miles	5 Hrs 49 Mns		2.26 mph
	2,199 ft AEG	5 Mns Break	18 LBS Pack

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Ponderosa Nature Trail #43

Davenport Hill Trail #63

Dogtown Lake Trail #44

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Tortoise_Hiker

Route Recorded on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX

Buckskinner
Quickly enter Pines. Mountain bike friendly tread in dense inspiring pines for a good half-mile. Reminded me more of Big Bear than anything Arizona. Then realized the between the pines fill was oak trees. It might be pretty in Autumn.

Plastic chevrons in the trees but the trail is easy to follow. Pine cover thinned further in, still nice.

Clover Springs
The pines were back in full force with lots of oak between. The Bill Williams leg was nicer than I recall. A half-furlong stretch is kinna steep.

We got this hike done by 7:45 a.m. Denny panicked the entire hike we'd miss the 8 a.m. Bill Williams Mountain Watershed closure. Apparently an annual dillybob unless the area is deemed moist.

Ponderosa Trail
A bunch of Ponderosa Pines, thick needle footing. Semi-questionable route finding. Short lil' lasso loop for the curious.

Davenport
After a little bit of a climb you level out and it's Pines everywhere with small tickets of Oak.

The lower trail to roughly a quarter-mile before the road is very mountain bike friendly. Minor ankle buster rocks in the 1.25-1.6 mile vicinity. There is a gate just above the road.

Most of the grade on Davenport appears to be after you cross the road. Which is worthy because the views start to open up.

The clickety-clack of grasshoppers among the pines was intense for a half-mile.

Descending we checked out a little knoll. Soon after we encountered the first of two small groups of hikers.

Deer ears, phlox, Antelope horns, Penstemon. I find pocket lint more exciting than cactus blooms. Denny pointed out a Claret Cup blooming. Interesting because they mass bloomed in the desert in May and now they're hitting at 7,000-feet.

Dogtown Lake
Very windy. Most shore fishing I've ever seen but I don't frequent fishing hotspots. We started over the dam. The footing required some attention along the shore.

Synopsis
Hiked in tevas. Typically easy grades, more ankle buster rocks than most would enjoy in sandals. Collected data to square up five guide pages, chewed the fat, ground the gristle, and almost held with turbo turtle.

The 5th Annual Williams Historic Route 66 Car, Truck & Motorcycle Show was just gearing up before our first hike. It was in full swing heading home.

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Apache Plume

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Clover Spring

Wildflowers Observation Light
notably on Davenport

_____________________

- joe

Jun 13 2020

Tortoise_Hiker

Guides 1
Routes 148
Photos 9,928
Triplogs 3,656

63 male

Joined Apr 02 2005
Mesa, AZ

Buck - Clover - Ponderosa - Davenport - Dog, AZ

Hiking		Jun 13 2020
		Tortoise_Hiker • Triplogs 3,656

Hiking	12.94 Miles	2,199 AEG

Hiking	12.94 Miles	5 Hrs 49 Mns	2.26 mph
	2,199 ft AEG	5 Mns Break

no routes

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Ponderosa Nature Trail #43

Davenport Hill Trail #63

Dogtown Lake Trail #44

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joebartels

A Forest closure I hadn’t heard about had me throwing a Tortoise Tantrum. Luckily Joe loves to hike early. We realized it didn’t go into effect until 8am and it was only 545. Yeah! Just enough time to do the first hike. Nice little loop I’m sure the locals like. From there it was on to Dogtown to do the other three. Ponderosa is a nice little nature walk for kids. Davenport was a nice 5 miler. Probably 70% shade or so. Lots of Pine, oak, and grasshoppers. We saw 3 Elk and two groups of 4hikers the whole hike. Nice hike. Last we hiked around Dogtown Lake. Lots of people out fishing and such. To windy! Lots of fond memories of this lake fishing and camping. Nice mixture of trails today and top notch company. Like Haz, Joe rocks!!

Wildflowers Observation Light

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Tortoise Hiking. Stop and smell the Petrichor.

1 archive

Aug 18 2019

sleepybear929

Triplogs 72

41 female

Joined Feb 14 2017
Prescott Valley,

Flagstaff, AZ

Hiking		Aug 18 2019
		sleepybear929 • Triplogs 72

Hiking	0.50 Miles	99 AEG

Hiking	0.50 Miles
	99 ft AEG

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Started at the Ranger station and just did a short hike up and back. Very relaxing and fun for the family.

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Sep 04 2018

azbackpackr

Guides 27
Routes 518
Photos 5,861
Triplogs 883

72 female

Joined Jan 21 2006
Eagar AZ

Clover Spring Secret Links, AZ

Hiking		Sep 04 2018
		azbackpackr • Triplogs 883

Hiking	2.50 Miles	437 AEG

Hiking	2.50 Miles	1 Hour 44 Mns	1.44 mph
	437 ft AEG

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City of Williams Link Trail #124

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In Williams there are a lot of little trails from the neighborhoods leading to the USFS official trail system. My friend (and former boss) knows them all. So, this morning we had a little stroll from her place to the Clover Spring Trail.

She knows the names of just about every plant out there, plus seems able to ID poop. She said one pile we saw was from a fox.

She also knows birds by their calls. I can't ever hope to be that expert!

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Cosmos Western Yarrow

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Clover Spring

Wildflowers Observation Light
Cosmos, composites, yarrow, asters, fleabane.

Clover Spring

Dripping

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There is a point of no return unremarked at the time in most lives. Graham Greene The Comedians
A clean house is a sign of a misspent life.

Aug 19 2018

chumley

Guides 94
Routes 842
Photos 22,068
Triplogs 1,994

52 male

Joined Sep 18 2002
Tempe, AZ

Williams City Loop, AZ

Hiking		Aug 19 2018
		chumley • Triplogs 1,994

Hiking	8.47 Miles	1,420 AEG

Hiking	8.47 Miles	3 Hrs 11 Mns	2.82 mph
	1,420 ft AEG	11 Mns Break

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[ checklist ] Bill Williams Mountain City Reservoir High School Hill Santa Fe Reservoir

High School Hill Trail

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I set out in the morning to hit Bill Williams from the only side I haven't yet ... Bixler. After driving nearly to Ash Fork and then having to turn back because the westbound exit on I-40 was closed during the paving project, I finally arrived where I thought I should be. Well, it should be noted that the "trailhead" for Bixler Saddle is now over 3 miles and 1100 feet of gain up a closed road. This is not mentioned on the FS website for the trail. I wasn't in the mood for 6.5 miles of old closed road walking so I decided to head back to town and try to knock out the other BW trails I hadn't previously done. (FR45 is now closed)

City of Williams Link 124
I parked at the FS office near Buckskinner Park and walked back down through the neighborhood to the unmarked start of the City Link trail. This was boring AF following an old road and buried gas line with little shade. The official trail cuts a corner at the top, but I missed it and stayed on the road/gas line until it hit Clover Springs.

Clover Springs 46
I had done the section to the springs previously, but did it downhill and had forgotten how steep the little climb up to the spring area is. Still, it's a great trail, and nicely shaded in the woods. The spring box cover is broken and there was water in it.

Buckskinner Trail 130
From the spring, I headed back toward Buckskinner Park. This trail was very nice and a highlight of the day. I might actually choose this trail as a starting point the next time I go to summit the mountain rather than using the official BW trailhead.

At the park I was going to figure out the best way to get over to the start of the High School Hill hike, and decided to check out the mini reservoirs that I saw on the topo map. I was surprised to find that City Reservoir was a scenic little lake with a handful of people out fishing. It wasn't full, but I could see this being a nice spot to spend a few free hours if you lived here.

I was anticipating an off-trail excursion over to Santa Fe Reservoir, but was pleasantly surprised to find a very well used path starting at City dam that went toward Santa Fe dam. I cut down to the reservoir early to walk along the shore before crossing the concrete-manufactured stone dam. Anglers there told me it's stocked regularly.

High School Hill
Next I crossed the road and headed up a steep berm to reach the unmarked trailhead for High School Hill. This one climbs steeply to start and I ended up hitting a wall and needing a break in the shade. After good break, I continued on with the climb leveling out for a while before the final push to the summit. Views here are pretty nice.

After making the Varsity team, I headed back down, crossed the Santa Fe dam again, and made an off-trail beeline back to my truck before heading over to Davenport Hill.

For being right in town, these trails were pretty nice, and despite being a weekend with good weather, I only encountered three other hikers on the trails, though there were also a bunch of people at the two reservoirs.

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Common Sunflower

Culture

Culture [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Dam - Rock

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

_____________________

I'm not sure what my spirit animal is, but I'm confident it has rabies.

1 archive

Jul 29 2016

hikerdw

Routes 268
Photos 2,969
Triplogs 541

66 male

Joined Aug 16 2009
Mesa,AZ

Flagstaff, AZ

Hiking		Jul 29 2016
		hikerdw • Triplogs 541

Hiking	9.91 Miles	2,782 AEG

Hiking	9.91 Miles	5 Hrs 20 Mns	2.38 mph
	2,782 ft AEG	1 Hour 10 Mns Break

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Bixler Saddle Trail #72

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Up, up, and away. Ryan had to check in on work at the top so I just enjoyed the rest and the views. On the way back down we did an out and back of about .75 mile on the Bixler trail. Liked that trail. Took the short detour to Clover Spring and then looped back to the trailhead. Warm day.

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Clover Spring Finger Rock

_____________________

Expect to self rescue

3 archives

Aug 08 2015

The_Eagle

Guides 41
Routes 1,627
Photos 14,983
Triplogs 2,762

69 male

Joined Jan 20 2009
Far NE Phoenix,

Bill Williams Mountain Tour, AZ

Hiking		Aug 08 2015
		The_Eagle • Triplogs 2,762

Hiking	19.54 Miles	4,250 AEG

Hiking	19.54 Miles	8 Hrs 58 Mns		2.53 mph
	4,250 ft AEG	1 Hour 15 Mns Break	16 LBS Pack

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City of Williams Link Trail #124

Bixler Saddle Trail #72

Benham Trail #38

[ checklist ] Bill Williams Mountain Fire Lookout City Reservoir Clover Spring

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Dave1

rayhuston

Ray wanted to get in some hiking at Elevation. I came up with this one that starts at 6,900', climbed to 8,700', dropped to 7,800, and then up to the top of Bill Williams at 9,256. Once again, Dave was a 9:45p the night before addition.

The Bill Williams Trail #21 was as I remembered. It climbs like a mutha, right from the gitgo. There's a few spots where it levels off to let you catch you breath, then back up again. There is some large, thick, old growth that is defiantly not JimH approved.
There are not many views at all on this trail through the trees.

First time on the Bixler Saddle Trail #72. This trail does not get much use, but is in great shape. Finally you get some sweet views to the west. There are some cragily rocky peaks that look like some of you rock hounds would enjoy climbing. We went down to the western TH and then turned around and climbed back up the 900' we'd just descended. I like this trail.

Next we made our way to the Bill Williams Peak at 9,256'. We descended a bit to find a place where it might be a bit warmer to eat some lunch and catch some views. Of course this was the first time on the day it decided to rain lightly. We abbreviated our lunch as we all needed to get moving to get warm.

Next it was the Benham Trail #38. Some how we missed the TH up top and ended up joining it partway down the Tower Road. Another trail with good views and in great shape. Also another that does not get much traffic.

The plans next were to follow some back roads to catch up with some more trails to the north. We ended up traversing around some PP and ultimately walk through a nice neighborhood where some of Williams Upper Crust call home.

After passing the City Reservoir, we found some use trails that met up with the City of Williams Link Trail #124. (Looks like it caters to the MTB community)

We took the Buckskinner #130 to check out Clover Spring and then back to the Clover Spring Trail #46 and back to the TH.

Buckskinner/Clover Spring/Williams City trails, would make a nice short loop if you were in the area.

Perfect temps on the day ranging from 61 a couple of times, to 75. We had a bit of light rain and the Gods were Bowling overhead a few times.

Good times, always good conversations, bickering, poking, jabbing with these gents.

Thanks for driving Ray....

Fauna

Fauna [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Red Tachinid Fly

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

Wildflowers Observation Moderate

	City Reservoir	51-75% full	51-75% full
	Plenty of water. It's was muddy from recent rains

	Clover Spring	Gallon + per minute	Gallon + per minute
	3' x 3' Concrete tank was full. Not sure I'd filter myself as the water was a funny color.

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There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
Dave Barry

Aug 08 2015

rayhuston

Guides 1
Routes 448
Photos 4,407
Triplogs 939

68 male

Joined Mar 09 2012
Gilbert, AZ

Bill Williams Mountain Tour, AZ

Hiking		Aug 08 2015
		rayhuston • Triplogs 939

Hiking	19.28 Miles	4,022 AEG

Hiking	19.28 Miles	9 Hrs 4 Mns	2.43 mph
	4,022 ft AEG	1 Hour 7 Mns Break

Linked

6 linked trail guides

City of Williams Link Trail #124

Bixler Saddle Trail #72

Benham Trail #38

Partners

partners

Dave1

The_Eagle

Today's hike was one Bruce drew up to help me train at higher altitude. Both the starting (6900 feet) and highest (9200 feet) elevations would be new personal highs for me.

This was my first time on Williams Mountain. The trails here are very well maintained, at least those that we hiked on today. The rain from the day before made them nice and soft, but with firm footing. Not many views on the way up, but the views from the top are fabulous.

This route was a fun one. We started out with a 2300 foot ascent to a saddle, dropped down 900 feet to another saddle, then finished the uphill portion with a long ascent to Bill Williams Lookout (Bixler Saddle to Bill Williams L.O.). The uphill portion at this elevation is always a struggle for me, so Bruce and Dave let me set the pace. It was a slow pace with lots of breaks, but it made the hike much more enjoyable for me. Thank you Dave and Bruce!

After a break just below the summit, we headed down the Benham trail. At the end of the Benham Trail, we had to deviate from the plan due to private property boundaries, but even that was fun. We got to see some amazing real estate while following some public roads as we headed around the mountain. After a short off trail section, we passed the city reservoir before reaching Buckskinner park, where we took a final break. We headed off trail once more before finally reaching maintained trails again.

From there it was smoothing sailing back to the TH. This was a very fun hike for me but the great company kicks it up a notch to a great hike. Thanks Bruce and Dave. This was a most enjoyable day!

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4 archives

Sep 06 2014

chumley

Guides 94
Routes 842
Photos 22,068
Triplogs 1,994

52 male

Joined Sep 18 2002
Tempe, AZ

Bill Williams plus Clover Spring, AZ

Hiking		Sep 06 2014
		chumley • Triplogs 1,994

Hiking	8.41 Miles	2,398 AEG

Hiking	8.41 Miles	4 Hrs 6 Mns	2.83 mph
	2,398 ft AEG	1 Hour 8 Mns Break

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FOTG

I tried to find a 6-7 mile hike that would be suitable for a mid-afternoon start time to accommodate fotg's schedule, and this seemed to fit the bill (humor me and laugh at that, ok?)

I've never been up here, and enjoyed it despite the solid climb at elevation, which I'm not accustomed to. Rain threatened all afternoon, but never affected us. In fact it was a little bit warm in the sun at the bottom of the hike. But after a short break at the summit we were both caught a little bit chilly without an extra layer to wear.

I was putting HAZ tracks through my first serious test, and it tracked way high in mileage. I learned that it pauses when I take pano photos, and that left a couple of short gaps near the summit.

On the way down we took a detour to Clover Spring where Blanco and Cup enjoyed some clear water. There was no other water on the entire hike.

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Cliff-Rose Douglas-Fir

Fauna

Fauna [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Dog Red Tachinid Fly

Meteorology

Meteorology [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Crepuscular rays Rain

	Clover Spring	Dripping	Dripping
	Couldn't determine flow, but spring box was full. Appears murky in springbox, but is actually clean and clear. I'd still filter it.

_____________________

I'm not sure what my spirit animal is, but I'm confident it has rabies.

Jun 05 2014

azbackpackr

Guides 27
Routes 518
Photos 5,861
Triplogs 883

72 female

Joined Jan 21 2006
Eagar AZ

Flagstaff, AZ

Hiking		Jun 05 2014
		azbackpackr • Triplogs 883

Hiking	1.48 Miles	190 AEG

Hiking	1.48 Miles	56 Mns	1.68 mph
	190 ft AEG	3 Mns Break

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A friend from St. Johns was passing through Williams, called me, and wanted to go on a short walk in the woods with her dog, so we did. It's been very warm today. And tomorrow this area will be closed off to the public until monsoon.

_____________________

There is a point of no return unremarked at the time in most lives. Graham Greene The Comedians
A clean house is a sign of a misspent life.

Jun 04 2014

azbackpackr

Guides 27
Routes 518
Photos 5,861
Triplogs 883

72 female

Joined Jan 21 2006
Eagar AZ

Flagstaff, AZ

Hiking		Jun 04 2014
		azbackpackr • Triplogs 883

Hiking	3.10 Miles	612 AEG

Hiking	3.10 Miles	1 Hour 49 Mns	1.82 mph
	612 ft AEG	7 Mns Break

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