Horse Ridge Trail #38 • Hike • Arizona • All Triplogs • HikeArizona.COM

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Jun 05 2024

mntncrvr

Routes 9
Photos 9
Triplogs 12

59 female

Joined Feb 22 2019
CHANDLER, AZ

Horse Ridge Trail #38

Alpine, AZ

Horse Ridge Trail #38

Alpine, AZ

Hiking		Jun 05 2024
		mntncrvr • Triplogs 12

Hiking	8.99 Miles	2,421 AEG

Hiking	8.99 Miles	4 Hrs 44 Mns	2.29 mph
	2,421 ft AEG	48 Mns Break

no photosets

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

What an amazing day hiking the Horse Ridge Trail #38 in the Blue Range Primitive Area, AZ. My hiking partner and I started out early to beat the heat. Made very good time on the well
maintained trail to Foote Creek in about two hours.
We started hiking east on
the Foote Creek Trail, not knowing we passed the junction of the Horse Ridge Trail and Foote Creek Trail because the sign fell off the tree it was nailed into. I placed the sign
against the tree. We had a quick snack at the creek and made our way up in about 2.5 hours. It was my first hike in the Blue Range Primitive Area and certainly will not be the last. It's hard to stay away from the vast remoteness and beauty this area is know for.

May 25 2024

ShatteredArm

Guides 12
Routes 192
Photos 863
Triplogs 356

42 male

Joined Nov 30 2015
Phoenix, AZ

Lanphier Canyon via Horse Ridge, AZ

Backpack		May 25 2024
		ShatteredArm • Triplogs 356

Backpack	28.50 Miles	7,000 AEG

Backpack	28.50 Miles	1 Day 4 Hrs 43 Mns
	7,000 ft AEG

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no photosets

Linked

linked

Horse Ridge Trail #38

Lanphier Trail #52

Foote Creek Trail #76

Partners

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Holiday weekend kinda snuck up on me, and had discussed possibly doing some backpacking with my friend from last month's Galiuros trip. He had to be back by Monday morning, so I proposed staying up in Pinetop on Friday night and doing a single night trip somewhere in the 191 area.

He said he didn't necessarily want a super easy five-miles-in sort of thing, so I proposed hiking down from Horse Ridge TH and camping in Lanphier Canyon... Seems silly considering you can drive to Blue Camp, but I wanted to check off the lower part of Foote Creek Trail, and figured this route would be a great intro to the Blue Range for someone who hadn't been there.

Started walking around 10am, made quick time down Horse Ridge, enjoying the expansive views. Took a little break at the junction with Foote Creek trail, and found there is an interesting little slot canyon just west of the campsite, which I missed on my way up last summer. We also took a quick look at the Foote Creek waterfall about a quarter mile below the spring, and penciled in a quick dip in the pool for the hike out. No bear near the Tutt Creek junction this time.

Trail got a little harder to follow past Tutt Creek, but we definitely made a few mistakes turn-wise. The last half mile or so in the creek, the trail basically devolves into a network of cattle tracks, and there are a few cattle. Kind of diminished the beauty of that part of the creek.

The last 2.5 miles or so to Blue Camp involved a couple little grunts, but was more or less pleasant given the windy conditions, and the views opened up again.

One truck at Blue Camp, but we wouldn't see the owner. Lanphier was pleasant, and around 3:30pm we started keeping an eye out for campsites. Passed up what I later decided was the best spot for one not quite as nice, but didn't want to hike back. It was nice though; good shade and creek access, and a few choices of flat spots.

After setting up, we decided to hike upstream for 45 minutes or so; made it past where the trail leaves the canyon on the north - there were some signs that there was once a trail there, and even one excellent, hardened campsite.

Once back at camp, we were sort of dreading doing the same thing in reverse in the morning, and I messaged my sister asking her to find out how far it is from Blue Camp to 191 via Red Hill Road (with the thought that we'd probably be offered a ride at some point).

Sunday morning, my back was super sore and I was legitimately worried about being able to do the big climbs at the end, so I was leaning towards the hitchhike option; however, things felt a little better by Blue Camp and I just decided we may as well hike the remaining 10.5 miles. It was already a bit warm on the climb out of Blue Camp, but it felt a little better once we got to the flat part.

The lower part of Foote Creek went much faster, since we knew where to expect to find trail for the most part, and corrected some of the mistakes we made on the way down. Stopped at the falls and took an ice cold dip in the pool. Made our last stop at the spring, which produced some great tasting water.

Horse Ridge was a real grind on the way back up, but we made OK time, and the hike out only took 22 minutes longer than the hike in.

Turned out to be a nice little trip, and a really pretty route.

	Cedar Springs Canyon	Pools to trickle	Pools to trickle
	There's a trickle at one of the trail crossings... But not water you want to drink.

	Foote Creek	Medium flow	Medium flow
	Light flow from Horse Ridge trail down about a half mile. Good flow the rest of the way down from the springs.

	Indian Canyon	Light flow	Light flow
	Easy to cross without getting wet right now.

	Lanphier Canyon	Medium flow	Medium flow
	Consistent flow through the entire lower section.

Right Fork Foote Creek

Light flow

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1 archive

May 04 2024

FOTG

Guides 37
Routes 556
Photos 10,872
Triplogs 1,052

43 male

Joined Jan 21 2013
AZ

Horse Ridge Trail #38

Alpine, AZ

Horse Ridge Trail #38

Alpine, AZ

Hiking		May 04 2024
		FOTG • Triplogs 1,052

Hiking	12.03 Miles	2,727 AEG

Hiking	12.03 Miles	6 Hrs 36 Mns	2.26 mph
	2,727 ft AEG	1 Hour 16 Mns Break

Linked

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Foote Creek Trail #76

Partners

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

I made a quick trip to the Blue this weekend, with this hike and some camping being my main objectives. Horse Ridge Trail did not disappoint and seeing the upper Blue during the final stages of the snow melt was a nice attraction as well.

The dog and I started hiking just after six, as I knew the trail would feel warm on the climb out, even on a 65 degree day at 8,000 feet. The hike down was scenic and calming after a long week in the valley. The trail's terminus at Foote Creek made for a scenic turn around point. Foote Creek was flowing nicely, along with perhaps the even more scenic side drainage that parallels the Horse Ridge Trail to the south for most of the hike. Dot and I took an extended break at the nice campsite that greets you as you finish up the Horse Ridge Trail. We did some light exploring, Dot soaked in the water and then we headed back up.

The climb out wore on Dot some and we took several breaks as a result. We actually had cloud cover and a nice breeze for the first half of it too, but she was just beat and I did not mind taking our time. It was a long day for her and you gain a full 2,000 feet on the way out, without almost any shade. Nevertheless, we crested the high point at the rim and enjoyed the pleasant stroll through the forest to the trailhead from there.

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Jun 04 2023

ShatteredArm

Guides 12
Routes 192
Photos 863
Triplogs 356

42 male

Joined Nov 30 2015
Phoenix, AZ

Red Hill loop, AZ

Run/Jog		Jun 04 2023
		ShatteredArm • Triplogs 356

Run/Jog	19.45 Miles	3,735 AEG

Run/Jog	19.45 Miles	6 Hrs 34 Mns	3.04 mph
	3,735 ft AEG	10 Mns Break

Linked

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Red Hill Trail #56

Horse Ridge Trail #38

Tutt Creek Trail #105

Foote Creek Trail #76

Partners

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no partners

Had a few options I was waffling between, but shortest drive ultimately won out. Plan was to go down Red Hill Trail, and head across Tutt Creek trail to connect with Foote Creek and Horse Ridge. Decided to start at Red Hill TH and go CW because Foote Creek looked to be the most sure water source. I also figured if any of these trails was in absolutely horrible shape, there might be a bail-out option involving hitchhiking.

Started at around 7:30am, the first part of Red Hill on the north side of the rim is high-elevation burn scar, so probably great raspberry picking in a couple months. Once over the ridge, vegetation changes to the drier variety. Great views from the ridge, and the trail wasn't hard to follow for the first 4 miles. After that, there are some overgrown parts and an occasional need to stop and look for the trail. At one point, the trail splits, with one going up and over a ridge, and one contouring around the side. I took the side route, although for a couple hundred feet it's pretty washed out and slightly hairy.

Eventually got down to Bush Creek, which was flowing at the first trail crossing. Lots of cattle in the area so I probably wouldn't touch it. About a quarter of a mile down Bush, I walked up on a mama bear and a cub. Let them know I was there and they cleared out without too much a fuss. Trail is hard to follow in parts of Bush Creek, although if you lose it, you can just go downstream.

Got to Tutt Creek Trail 8 miles in. This trail was in much better shape, and pretty easy to follow all the way to Foote Creek. Drank some water at the spring, which was flowing nicely. The drop down into Foote Creek was a bit rougher and had a little bit of catclaw, but wasn't too bad.

Foote Creek Trail was pretty spotty. A few minutes in, I unknowingly walked right by a napping bear, who got up, looked at me, and ran off like a frightened deer. At one point I lost the trail and stumbled on a nice big pool with a couple of waterfalls, which you miss if you're on trail. Got the the spring, drank more water, and took some extra with me just in case. From the spring up to the Horse Ridge junction, the going was easier.

I was planning on Horse Ridge being the worst part of the day. The first big climb ascends about 700 in 3/4 mile. Once gaining the ridge, there is a relatively level mile with sweeping views. I actually really enjoyed this trail, although I might have had a different opinion if it weren't for some clouds and a nice breeze. After passing a spot where the ridge pinches off into what I'm calling the Causeway, the climbing resumes. That last mile and a half to the top was an absolute grind.

From Horse Ridge TH, is was mostly just following 191 for a half mile or so, then going cross country for a more direct route back to Red Hill TH.

This loop was actually much better than I expected it to be. I think I can actually kinda recommend it (although a day that's not too sunny is ideal). Horse Ridge Trail is in outstanding shape, so now's the time to do it.

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Bear Mountain Castle Rock

	Bush Creek	Light flow	Light flow
	Intermittent flow along Red Hill Trail. Dry at Tutt Creek.

	Cleveland Spring	Dripping	Dripping
	A couple of little puddles.

	Foote Creek	Medium flow	Medium flow
	Solid flow from Tutt Creek Trail up to the spring. Intermittent flow from the spring up to Horse Ridge Trail.

	Tutt Creek	Light flow	Light flow
	More or less consistent flow up to the spring, which has good water for filtering. Dry above the spring.

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1 archive

Jul 24 2021

FOTG

Guides 37
Routes 556
Photos 10,872
Triplogs 1,052

43 male

Joined Jan 21 2013
AZ

Horse Ridge Trail #38

Alpine, AZ

Horse Ridge Trail #38

Alpine, AZ

Hiking		Jul 24 2021
		FOTG • Triplogs 1,052

Hiking	3.43 Miles	1,281 AEG

Hiking	3.43 Miles	2 Hrs 56 Mns	1.70 mph
	1,281 ft AEG	55 Mns Break

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

none

no partners

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

This trail also falls into the category of, why did I not hike this trail sooner? Although, it was learning about recent trail maintenance on the trail that spurred my interest, so our experience may not have been as popular had I tried hiking this one years ago.

The trail drops steeply and was in generally good shape, with a solid, but thin tread in spots. Some locust and oaks are starting to crowd the top near the initial descent, but the rest of the trail was clear and smooth sailing. The views from the trail were pretty spectacular and I agree with the FS assessment that it may offer the best panorama views of the Blue. In particular, the up close views of the prominent Castle Rock. We meant to hike further, but got distracted by the beautiful sound of running water in a drainage near the trail. We spent more time playing in the water than we should of and then some nasty clouds and sprinkles convinced us it was time to head back.

Fauna

Fauna [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Dog

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Bell Rock Blue Range Primitive Area Castle Rock

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1 archive

WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.

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