North Face Phoenix AZ

Activities: Hiking

Info:
State: Arizona
Location: Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest
Length: One-Way: 5.2 miles
Trail type: Out and Back
Minimum Elevation: 6700 feet
Maximum Elevation: 8700 feet
Best Season: May to October
Difficulty: Difficult
Usage: Light

Description: You’ll enjoy some of Alpine District’s most outstanding vistas as you travel this relatively easy walk with its moderate gradient and pleasantly forested surroundings. The magnificent views are yours courtesy of the Mogollon Rim, a 1500 foot drop-off that forms the southern edge of the Colorado Plateau and provides the high perspective for the panorama. This prodigious escarpment towers over the forested canyons of the Eagle Creek, Rose Peak, Maple Mountain and far in the distance, Mount Graham and the Pinalenos. The Rose Spring Trail, also called the Rim Trail, follows a fence line along the southern boundary of the Bear Wallow Wilderness as it hugs the rim. About 3 miles from the trailhead, the Schell Canyon Trail branches off on a course that leads to the South Fork of Bear Wallow Creek and into the heart of the wilderness. From the junction with Schell Trail, the Rose Spring Trail continues through another mile and a half of conifers and ponderosa to the boundary of the San Carlos Indian Reservation. That boundary is marked by a standard stock fence. At this point, a road from the reservation side of the fence crosses on to the Forest side and cuts back to Rose Springs, an intermittent water source.

Activities: Hiking

Info:
State: Arizona
Location: Coconino National Forest
Length: One-Way: 6.4 miles
Trail type: Out and Back
Minimum Elevation: 3000 feet
Maximum Elevation: 4400 feet
Elevation Change: 1500 feet
Best Season: Year-Round
Difficulty: Moderate
Usage: Light

Description: The Towel Creek Trail is unique among those on the Coconino National Forest. It leads through an area of picturesque buttes and low mountains quite different from any other trail in the forest. It is also one of the few trails on the Coconino that leads to the Verde River, a great place to camp out or cool your feet before starting back to the trailhead. The main vegetation type in this rugged country is high chaparral. It consists mostly of manzanita, scrub oak and cliffrose. There are hackberries here too, for which nearby Hackberry Mountain is named. Cottonwoods, sycamores and willows cluster near the few seeps and springs, while stands of pinyons and junipers cling to the higher elevations. The Towel Creek area has been grazed since the latter half of the nineteenth century. Along the trail, you’ll see evidence of its cattle growing past, present and even its future. One thing you might notice is that the grass cover is comparatively healthy here in spite of its being grazed. That’s the result of a progressive management program being used by the local rancher. The Towel Creek Trail is used to move cattle between seasonal ranges. About 3 miles from the trailhead, a short side-hike leads to Towel Spring. 3.5 miles further along you’ll see an old line shack which is still used by cowboys. From here it’s two more miles to the Verde River and its cool waters.

Activities: Hiking

Info:
State: Arizona
Location: Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest
Length: One-Way: 1.5 miles
Trail type: Out and Back
Minimum Elevation: 6750 feet
Maximum Elevation: 7600 feet
Best Season: Spring to Fall
Difficulty: Difficult
Usage: Light

Description: This is probably the easiest trail down the Mogollon Rim in terms of steepness and hazards along the way. Views from the parking area near the start of the trail are spectacular. The trail is as wide as a road although some trees and shrubs are growing on the trail. Ponderosa pine, fern and oak are the most common plants found along the trail and some interesting rock formations are easily seen.

Activities: Hiking

Info:
State: Arizona
Location: Coconino National Forest
Length: One-Way: 1 miles
Trail type: Out and Back
Minimum Elevation: 7200 feet
Elevation Change: 100 feet
Best Season: April to November
Difficulty: Easy
Usage: Moderate

Description: Ledges Trail offers forest visitors an easy hike to a scenic overlook of Mormon Lake and the volcanic hills surrounding it. The route leads past a group of rustic summer cabins and then begins a gradual climb to the top of a rocky outcrop that gives the trail its name. Along the way, it passes through open stands of ponderosa pines punctuated with a few juniper trees and Gambel oaks. Small trailside meadows provide a chance to observe some of the area’s resident elk and mule deer. The rock ledges at the overlook jut clear of the trees and provide an unobstructed view of the lake and the surrounding mountains and forests. Look closely here, it’s a good place to see a hawk or bald eagle gliding on the wind, hunting the brushy flats along the shore.

Activities: Mountain Biking

Info:
State: Arizona
Location: South Mountain Park
Length: One-Way: 2.5 miles
Best Season: Year-Round
Difficulty: 5C

Description: As you traverse the north side of the preserve, graffiti and broken glass take away from the natural beauty. But press on. The Holbert Trail eventually becomes clean and offers striking views. One nice feature is rock art, created centuries ago, with petroglyphs on the boulders. This is very hot summer hike or bike. We don’t recommend Hiking this trail during the day in summer.