Trail Shoes Phoenix AZ

Activities: Hiking

Info:
State: Arizona
Location: Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest
Length: One-Way: 1.9 miles
Trail type: Out and Back
Minimum Elevation: 7760 feet
Maximum Elevation: 8880 feet
Elevation Change: -1120 feet
Best Season: May to October
Difficulty: Moderate
Usage: Light

Description: If you’re looking for a day hike into the rich streamside habitat and tall forests of the Bear Wallow Wilderness, you may be interested in a couple of loop hikes that begin with this trail. You could start out on the Reno Trail and return to Forest Road 25 by way of the more moderate gradient of the Bear Wallow trail. That means you’ll be taking the easiest route up and you won’t have to climb back up the steep switchbacks of the Reno Trail as it descends into the Bear Wallow drainage. Or, if you arrange a shuttle in advance, you could hike out of the canyon via the Schell Trail and take advantage of some of the great views that trail offers from atop the Mogollon Rim. The loop around Reno and Bear Wallow is of moderate length (7 miles including a 2.5 mile hike or shuttle between trailheads). The Schell Canyon loop is a bit longer (8.3 miles). If you start early, you’ll have time to enjoy the rich plant and animal communities that make a home in the habitat nourished by this secluded wilderness brook. If you like to fish, you may be interested in continuing down Bear Wallow Creek to try your luck at catching some of the native trout that make a home there. The Reno Trail is also a well used primary access route in the Bear Wallow Wilderness. Some forest visitors choose it because it provides the shortest route to the creek and therefore might be the quickest route as well. Mixed conifers and aspens border the trail along its upper reaches. As the trail drops into the side canyon it will follow to Bear Wallow Creek, clumps of Gambel oak appear more frequently. Tall ponderosa pines and spruces, canyon hardwoods and associated riparian species mark the junction with the Bear Wallow Trail in North Fork Canyon.

Activities: Hiking

Info:
State: Arizona
Location: Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest
Length: One-Way: 3.8 miles
Trail type: Out and Back
Minimum Elevation: 7140 feet
Maximum Elevation: 7190 feet
Best Season: Spring to Fall
Difficulty: Easy
Usage: Heavy

Description: The Springs trail is perfect for the beginner trail user or even for the more advanced who are looking for a less strenuous loop. The Springs trail is on Forest Road 182, a short distance from Pinetop-Lakeside. It consists of 3.8 miles of trail with little change in elevation. During the rainy season the trail may become very muddy. Equestrians should think twice about riding this trail at these times because horses can do great damage to a muddy trail. The most distinctive and certainly an attractive part of the trail is where it crosses and parallels Thompson Creek. Areas in close proximity to streams and rivers, known as riparian habitat, harbor a great variety of interdependent plant and animal life. For that reason, they are extremely sensitive to human interference. Watch for signs of animals that are directly dependent on the creek as well as those that are attracted by ample food and cover. If you’re looking to do a longer hike, take the Little Bear Connector to the Blue Ridge loop, or the Iron Horse Connector to the Country Club loop.

Activities: Hiking

Info:
State: Arizona
Location: Coconino National Forest
Length: One-Way: 14 miles
Trail type: Out and Back
Minimum Elevation: 8000 feet
Maximum Elevation: 10400 feet
Elevation Change: 2400 feet
Best Season: May to November
Difficulty: Easy
Usage: Heavy

Description: The Water Line Trail begins at the heart of Schultz Pass, traverses the northeast slope of the San Francisco Peaks into the Inner Basin and then continues north and northwest to Abineau Canyon. The views include the volcanic fields east of Flagstaff, Sunset Crater, the Painted Desert and the Grand Canyon ninety miles away. This old road (also known as the Watershed Road) runs along the base of a long talus slope topped by Arizona’s highest point, Humphreys Peak. The southern portion of the road borders the Kachina Peaks Wilderness and from the Inner Basin to the Abineau Trail both sides of the road are Wilderness. Remember no mechanized vehicles, including Mountain Bikes, are allowed in Wilderness. There is a chance you may see sign of the shy Black bear here. Elk and mule deer are abundant in this area. Common bird species you may see include: Dark-eyed junco, Stellar Jay and Clark’s nutcracker.

Activities: Mountain Biking

Info:
State: Arizona
Location: Tonto National Forest
Length: One-Way: 4.8 miles
Trail type: Out and Back
Minimum Elevation: 6720 feet
Maximum Elevation: 7120 feet
Elevation Change: 400 feet
Best Season: Spring to Fall
Usage: Light

Description: The Dan’s Trail is surrounded by beautiful Ponderosa Pine and fir forest. The trail offers excellent mountain biking. This trail is an old logging road connecting with other roads. Pay attention to trail markers. Visitors can hike or ride directly from Valentine Ridge Campground following Forest Road 18 and Valentine Trail (#551). This trail has been adopted by the Mountain Bike Association of Arizona. From Forest Road 109, Dan’s Ridge follows a ridge south for two miles with a descent of 400 feet elevation. It meets with Forest Road 512 at an arroyo bottom then turns north to climb along another ridge. After one mile, it turns to the east and descends to another arroyo. It then follows north up a third ridge to return to Forest Road 109 at a point 1.5 miles east of the start. A loop can be made by returning on Forest Road 109.

Activities: Hiking

Info:
State: Arizona
Location: Phoenix
Length: One-Way: 1.2 miles
Trail type: Out and Back
Maximum Elevation: 2704 feet
Elevation Change: 1246 feet
Trail Surface: Loose Rock
Best Season: Spring, Fall, Winter
Difficulty: More Difficult
Usage: Heavy

Description: The Echo Canyon Trail to the top of Camelback Mountain begins just east of the always-crowded parking lot at the Echo Canyon Recreation Area. The crowds are even heavy during evenings. Try going during the week to avoid the heaviest crowds. From the trailhead, there is a very short descent across railroad ties. After a quick pass through a sandy wash, the trail begins its relentless climb to the summit again on railroad ties. Stay on the right side of the trail wherever possible. Let runners and other groups moving more quickly to safely pass you. A small saddle a little more than a quarter-mile from the trailhead is a great place to catch your breath while you enjoy terrific views of the eroded boulders and cliff faces along the trail. For the next 1/8 of a mile the trail climbs slightly but this breather is short lived. The trail becomes considerably steeper as it ramps up a slickrock area at the base of a huge cliff. The first of two long handrails provides welcome assistance and even more so on the way down. After you have successfully navigated the first rail, you will descend on an easier rock and gravel section, following the fence along the edge. At the 1/2 mile mark you will see the second rail. It is much easier than the first with imbedded rocks and railroad ties to step on. Try and stay on the right side of the rail. At the top of the second rail, there are several areas to rest and view the city, canyons and desert area. After the second rail, the trail continues on cinder and gravel before ascending up lower Echo Canyon. Hiking up Lower Echo Canyon is not too difficult. Lower Echo Canyon is lined with medium to large boulders. If you step properly, the boulders offer a fairly nice stairway. On your way down, stepping on the tops of these boulders will get you down quicker. Take your time going up and down the canyons. Once you have completed the climb to the top of Little Echo Canyon, you have completed more than half the distance but the best and worst is yet to come. At the top of Echo Canyon is another great view site overlooking downtown Phoenix and some luxury homes down below. Turn to the left and follow the trail. Watch for loose gravel and try to step on the hard rock. As you head up to the 3/4 mile mark and turn left at the marker. You will soon reach a short wall with steps in the face. Follow the path designated by the round direction arrow. You have reached the 3/4 mile mark. From the 3/4 mark, the trail turns right and begins to climb steeply. The next 1/4 mile is the longest and toughest stretch. Follow the trail markers there are quite a few going up the canyon but stay away from the yellow closed trail marks. As you start up the canyon there are two trails side by side. The one directly ahead is steep, try and take the trail to the left. The trail is recognizable by its 45 degree face and is next to the gravel trail; it offers a more gradual incline to the 7/8 mile markers. Bear right till you get to the marker. After the 7/8 mile marker, there are several flat steps, follow them up, you are near the mile marker. The mile marker is very near the summit. Soon after the mile mark, turn left and go up a deep rutted trail for about 50 feet and make another hard left going up over a few large boulders. Continue on up the trail. At the end of the trail you will see a black rock face with a 45 degree incline. Stay to the left, following the concrete direction markers. Continue up the red rock footholds and bear right. You should see the summit. Two large boulders on your left mark the final steps to reach the top of Camelback Mountain. Enjoy a nice break, take time to stretch and have a drink before heading back down the mountain.