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Home , Escudilla Mountain, Horton Creek (Arizona), Humphreys Peak, Mount Baldy (Arizona), Mount Bigelow (Arizona), Oak Creek Canyon

SUMMER HIKING GUIDE is a dream state for hikers. There’s a trail for everyone, and the weather allows for year-round hiking. Summer, however, is when most people hit the trail. Thus, our fifth-annual Summer Hiking Guide, which spotlights our top 10 trails, along with some bonus hikes in the White Mountains and five wheelchair-accessible trails that are just right this time of year. By Robert Stieve

One of the most popular trails in the , the West Fork Oak Creek Trail requires several creek-crossings. | Paul Markow

18 JUNE 2012 for the trailhead. Special Consideration: National Park Widforss Trail Service fees apply. NORTH RIM, GRAND 1 Vehicle Requirements: None 1 Inner Basin Trail Widforss Trail Dogs Allowed: No FLAGSTAFF North Rim, USGS Map: Bright Angel Point Named for Gunnar Widforss, an artist who Information: Backcountry Office, Grand Humphreys Trail FLAGSTAFF 6 painted landscapes in the national parks in the Canyon National Park, 928-638-7875 or www. 4 Weatherford Trail 1920s and 1930s, this relatively easy trail fol- nps.gov/grca 3 FLAGSTAFF lows the rim of the Grand Canyon to Widforss FLAGSTAFF Point. And getting there, you’ll pass through Foot Note: At the height of Gunnar Widforss’ West Fork Oak 5 Creek Trail an idyllic forest of Colorado blue spruce, career in 1929, just after his 50th birthday, the 8 Engelmann spruce, white firs, Douglas firs and American stock market crashed, sending the 9 Maxwell Trail aspens, the latter of which can be seen growing artist into near obscurity and his paintings into 7 West Clear Creek Trail in droves where recent fires have burned. You’ll the artistic abyss of the underappreciated. 2 be amazed at how quickly the aspens move in Although Widforss is considered one of the Trail MOGOLLON RIM and shoot up when the sun isn’t blocked by the great painters of our national parks, he received West Baldy Trail towering evergreens. Moseying along, you’ll limited exposure. Prior to an exhibit at the GREER catch glimpses of the Grand Canyon to your Museum of in 2009-2010, there PHOENIX left. Then, after about 30 minutes, you’ll come hadn’t been a major Widforss exhibit since 1969. to a short side trail that leads right to the rim, Widforss, whose obscurity remains a paradox, is from which you can see into Transept Canyon buried in the Pioneer Cemetery on the South Rim Green Mountain Trail below. The scenery stays much the same as of the Grand Canyon. 10 you chalk up the miles, and after about an hour, TUCSON the trail angles away from the rim and eventu- ally leads to a lush valley, which ranks as the best part of the trail — other than the stretches with Canyon views, of course. Not far from the 2 lush valley is the approach to Widforss Point. West Baldy Trail Although the trail stops short of the actual Greer point, the views from the approach are out of For peak-baggers in Arizona, is Editor’s Note: What follows is our take on the 10 best summer hikes in Arizona. The key word this world. one leg of the Triple Crown — along with Hum- in that sentence is “summer.” That’s why Bright Angel and Seven Falls and Hellsgate and all the rest phreys Peak and (which is aren’t on the list. It’s too hot to hike those trails this time of year. You’ll also notice that we haven’t in- Trail Guide currently closed because of the Wallow Fire). cluded any hikes in the vicinity of the Wallow Fire — Mount Baldy is as close as we get. Although most Length: 10 miles round-trip The first 2 miles of Baldy cut through a series of of the trails in the White Mountains have been reopened since the fire, they haven’t been cleaned up, Difficulty: Easy wide alpine meadows and follow the West Fork and therefore pose a higher threat to a hiker’s safety. Even after a fire is out, many hazards still exist, Elevation: 8,200 to 7,811 feet of the Little , climbing gradually. including stump holes, falling trees and the potential for flash floods. In addition, some areas in the Trailhead GPS: N 36˚13.422’, W 112˚03.896’ This is the busiest stretch, but as the trail gets fire zone remain closed, so if you do plan to hike there this summer, keep in mind that any violation of Directions: From the Grand Canyon Lodge a little tougher, the crowds thin out — the hike a closure order is punishable by a fine of up to $5,000 and/or six months in prison. on the North Rim, drive 4 miles north and turn won’t kill you, but the altitude does have an left onto the gravel road marked with a sign effect. After the 2-mile mark, the trail enters West Baldy Trail near Greer cuts through lush alpine meadows and follows the West Fork of the Little a thick forest dominated by spruce, firs and Colorado River. | PAUL GILL aspens — other than a few small meadows, the trail won’t break out of the timber until the WHAT TO PACK IN YOUR BACKPACK top. From there, it climbs gradually to a series of Trail Guide Foot Note: The Sitgreaves National Forest steep switchbacks, eventually merging with the Length: 14 miles round-trip was named for Captain Lorenzo Sitgreaves, a • Pen and paper • Water • Fire starter or tinder kit East Baldy Trail near the Fort Apache Reserva- Difficulty: Moderate topographical engineer for the government who • Whistle • Compass (a GPS device • Pocket flashlight (with tion boundary. The summit of Mount Baldy is Elevation: 9,287 to 11,200 feet conducted the first scientific expedition across Ari- does not replace a spare batteries) • Waterproof matches on the reservation, and it’s closed to nontribal Trailhead GPS: N 33˚57.888’, W 109˚30.071’ zona in the early 1850s. Later, the U.S. Army estab- compass) • First-aid kit • Extra food members. You’ll be tempted to “sneak” to the Directions: From Eagar, drive west on State lished a series of forts in and Arizona. • GPS device • Pocketknife or multitool • Space blanket top; however, this is sacred land, and it should Route 260 for 18.7 miles to State Route 273. To supply these forts and settlements, a military • Extra clothing (lightweight emergency be respected. Trespassers who ignore the Turn left and drive south for 7.6 miles to the road was built linking Santa Fe, New Mexico, and shelter) • Sunscreen boundary are subject to fines and could have trailhead at Sheeps Crossing. Camp Verde, Arizona. Part of this road, called the • Insect repellent • Sunglasses their packs confiscated. If you’re a peak-bagger, Vehicle Requirements: None General Crook Trail, runs almost the length of the here’s the good news: The highest point of the Dogs Allowed: Yes (on a leash) Sitgreaves National Forest. The Apache National The Widforss Trail follows the North Rim of the Grand Canyon to Widforss Point, where ridge isn’t Mount Baldy (11,403 feet), but an USGS Map: Mount Baldy Forest is named for the Native Americans who sweeping views of the Canyon, including unnamed area (11,420 feet) on Forest Service Information: Springerville Ranger District, live in this area. Together, the forests are home to Zoroaster Temple, abound. | PAUL GILL land to the north. 928-333-6200 or www.fs.usda.gov/asnf Arizona’s scenic White Mountains.

20 JUNE 2012 www.arizonahighways.com 21 Wheelchair- 3 Accessible Trails Weatherford Trail Especially in summer, hikers of all ages and Flagstaff abilities can enjoy these five accessible trails, This easy-to-follow route, which was grazed which offer hard surfaces, minimal elevation by the devastating Schultz Fire in June 2010, changes and magnificent views: ARIZONA TRAIL begins at Schultz Tank and climbs gradually through an open grove of ponderosas, past 1. Bunkhouse Trail the Kachina Trail, and into the Kachina Peaks Wilderness. Just past the wilderness bound- This scenic trail is one of the highlights of the ary, you’ll skirt the ridge of a shaded canyon on park, which is a 286-acre nature preserve and your right. As you look across to the opposite environmental-education center that offers TRIVIA slope, you’ll see a kaleidoscope of greens. The spectacular scenery. • The Arizona Trail is one of only 11 colors of the trees are stunning. And so are the Length: 0.75 miles National Scenic Trails in the United stately aspens you’ll encounter along the trail. Information: 928-282-6907 or www. States Moving on, the trail becomes a series of gradual azstateparks.com/parks/rero • Southernmost point: U.S./Mexico switchbacks and the vegetation changes from border south of Sierra Vista in the ponderosas and aspens to alpine species 2. Rim Lakes Vista Trail Coronado National Memorial including corkbark firs and Engelmann spruce. Mogollon Rim • Northernmost point: Utah border Eventually you’ll get to a point where the forest This trail winds through the beautiful 25 miles east of Fredonia at the opens up and views of the peaks steal the ponderosa-pine forests along the Mogollon BLM’s State Line Campground show. From there, it’s a quick hop to the top of Rim and offers panoramic vistas to the south. • High point: North Rim of the Grand Doyle Saddle, the turnaround point for this hike. The main trailhead is located just off State Canyon (9,275 feet) If it isn’t stormy, settle in and enjoy the views of Route 260 along Forest Road 300, immedi- • Low point: Kelvin Bridge over the Northern Arizona. ately across from the Rim Visitor Center. (1,768 feet) Length: 2.5 miles Trail Guide Information: 928-535-7300 or www. • 93,000 feet of cumulative eleva- 14.8 miles round-trip (to Doyle fs.usda.gov/asnf tion gain from south to north Length: Saddle) At 12,633 feet, (shown • Fastest crossing: Kurt Refsnider Difficulty: Moderate Vehicle Requirements: None which tops out at 12,633 feet, you’ve conquered above, at right) is the highest point in Arizona. 3. Meadow Trail (7 days, 6 hours, 35 minutes) on a Elevation: 8,103 to 11,344 feet Dogs Allowed: Yes (on a leash) all there is to conquer — from a hiking perspec- | SHANE McDERMOTT Woods Canyon Lake mountain bike Trailhead GPS: N 35˚17.178’, W 111˚37.627’ USGS Map: Humphreys Peak tive. The trail begins at the far end of the lower This trail, which begins at Woods Canyon Lake • Crosses 9 mountain ranges, the Directions: From Flagstaff, drive north on Information: Peaks Ranger District, 928- parking lot for ski resort. Vista and ends at Woods Canyon Lake Store, Grand Canyon and the Mogollon U.S. Route 180 for 2 miles to Forest Road 420 526-0866 or www.fs.usda.gov/coconino After a short climb through a lush meadow of Trailhead GPS: N 35˚19.881’, W 111˚42.694’ offers some great views of the lake. Rim (Schultz Pass Road). Turn right onto FR 420 grasses and wildflowers, you’ll start to smell Directions: From Flagstaff, drive north Length: 1.6 miles • Travels through 7 designated and continue past the end of the pavement Foot Note: Beyond Doyle Saddle, the Weath- the evergreens as the trail enters the deep on U.S. Route 180 for 7 miles to Forest Information: 928-535-7300 or www. wilderness areas for approximately 5.5 miles to the trailhead, erford Trail eventually leads to the Fremont- forest. About the time the sky disappears, you’ll Road 516 (Snowbowl Road), turn right and fs.usda.gov/asnf • Traverses 4 national forests which is on the right side of the road. Agassiz Saddle. On the Doyle Saddle, you’ll find be crossing into the Kachina Peaks Wilder- continue another 6.3 miles to the lower the rusty remains of Allen Doyle’s tourist camp, ness. From there, the well-maintained trail parking lot. The trailhead is at the far end 4. Lava Flow Trail • First section was dedicated on July 1, 1988 which are strewn about. Doyle was known as climbs for several miles to the Fremont-Agassiz of the lot. National Monument Arizona’s foremost hunting guide in the early Saddle, which marks the beginning of Arizona’s Vehicle Requirements: None This is a self-guided loop trail that offers an • Last section was dedicated on 19th century; however, there aren’t many ac- only tundra region. At that level, nothing but Dogs Allowed: Yes (on a leash) introduction to the volcanic landscape at the December 16, 2011 counts of his colorful career. What we do know is bristlecone pines can survive, and even those USGS Map: Humphreys Peak base of Sunset Crater . • 99% of the trail is located on that Doyle shared many adventures with famous disappear before the peak. The last mile or so Information: Peaks Ranger District, 928- Length: 0.25 miles public land author Zane Grey and, unknowingly, inspired to the summit is the most challenging stretch of 526-0866 or www.fs.usda.gov/coconino Information: 928-526-0502 or www.nps. • Trail features 7 distinct bioregions many of the characters in Grey’s Western novels. the hike, but it’s worth the effort. From the top, gov/sucr you’ll be able to see the Grand Canyon and the Foot Note: Humphreys Peak was named in 1870 • Open 24 hours per day, 365 days per year Hopi mesas to the north, the White Mountains for General Andrew A. Humphreys, a Union gen- 5. Groom Creek Nature Trail to the east and Oak Creek Canyon to the south. eral during the Civil War. In 1911, when a General Prescott — Molly J. Smith Look up, too. Thunderstorms and lightning strikes Land Office map from 1903 showed the name This short trail winds 1,500 feet through a 4 can roll in without warning. Don’t press your luck. “San Francisco Peak” applied to what is now forest of ponderosa pines, allowing visitors a Humphreys Trail Humphreys Peak, the United States Board on chance to experience the sights and sounds of Flagstaff Trail Guide Geographic Names approved the variant name. a quiet forest. The Weatherford Trail climbs amid ponderosa Humphreys Peak is the king of the hills in Length: 9 miles round-trip However, in 1933, the application was recti- Length: 0.3 miles pines, aspens and Engelmann spruce, and into Arizona. It’s the pinnacle. The highest point Difficulty: Strenuous fied and Humphreys Peak once again became Information: 928-443-8000 or www. the . | TOM BEAN in the state. If you can make it to the summit, Elevation: 9,327 to 12,633 feet Humphreys Peak. fs.usda.gov/prescott

22 JUNE 2012 www.arizonahighways.com 23 Canyon parking area. Special Consideration: The Forest Service requires a $5 parking permit along the highway 5 and a $10-per-vehicle (up to five people) fee in 6 White West Fork the Call of the Canyon parking area. Inner Basin Trail Oak Creek Trail Vehicle Requirements: None Flagstaff Mountains Oak Creek Canyon Dogs Allowed: Yes (on a leash) This cool trail begins at Lockett Meadow, which If you’re looking for solitude, this hike won’t USGS Maps: Dutton Hill, Mountainaire, is home to one of the best campgrounds in the Trail System deliver. On weekends and holidays, hundreds Wilson Mountain, Munds Park state. From the campground, the route climbs One of the true hiking gems in of people might be in your way. However, in the Information: Red Rock Ranger District, gradually through a forest of ponderosa pines Arizona is the White Mountains same way you don’t avoid the Grand Canyon 928-282-4119 or www.fs.usda.gov/coconino and aspens. Among the most impressive are Trail System, which includes just because 5 million people a year visit the the seven aspens you’ll see clumped together a series of loop trails and park, you don’t want to leave the West Fork of Foot Note: A few hundred yards past the foot- about 30 minutes into the hike. They’re off to connector trails that vary in Oak Creek off your summer-hiking hit list. There bridge that leads to the West Fork Trail, you’ll the right, just past the gate you’ll pass through. length and difficulty. The trails are many reasons why this is the most popular pass an old settlement that includes remnants A few minutes later, you’ll feel the forest open are open to mountain-bikers, trail in the Coconino National Forest: the tower- of fireplaces, stone floors and a cliff house. up a little, and you’ll come to a major intersec- horseback-riders and hikers. ing cliffs of , the Douglas They’re leftovers from the Mayhew Lodge, an tion. To the left is the route to Schultz Pass The trails are marked with firs and box elders and bigtooth maples, the early 20th century dwelling. The homestead is Road. To the right is an access road to the Bear blue diamonds (often bearing perennial stream, the wild grapes, the mule believed to have been the inspiration for Zane Jaw and Abineau trails. From this point, the directional arrows), trail num- deer and the list goes on. Another reason Grey’s book Call of the Canyon. In its heyday, Inner Basin is less than a half-mile away. But bers or colored dots. Yellow people flock to the West Fork is because it’s the lodge was a favorite getaway of movie stars, before you get there, you’ll pass a log pump dots indicate a short route easy to get to and easy to enjoy. That said, the politicians and writers, including Lord Halifax, house that shields a well that was drilled in back to the trailhead. Green trail does require some agility and a willingness President Herbert Hoover, Clark Gable, Jimmy 1971. Because the Inner Basin provides water for dots indicate a connector to get your feet wet. There are steppingstones Stewart and Walt Disney. Flagstaff, there are several pump houses in the trail. Red dots indicate a side in most places, but there are no guarantees. area. Beyond the well, the trail merges with an trail to a point of interest or a The first 3 miles of the trail are well marked. old jeep road that takes you the rest of the way. particularly scenic vista. Here After that, the last mile tends to be overgrown As you’ll see, there’s no place like the Inner Ba- are three of our favorite trails and even climbs out of the canyon at one point. NATIONAL sin. With its lush meadows and the surrounding in the system: The good news is that most people give up and TRAILS DAY summits of the , it’s the head back before they get to this point. At the perfect summer hike. On June 2, 2012, the American 1. West Fork No. 94 4-mile mark, a decent-sized pool marks the end Hiking Society will celebrate its Length: 7 miles round-trip of the trail. 20th annual National Trails Day. Trail Guide Rating: Moderate It’s one more reason to get outside Length: 4 miles round-trip Elevation: 8,500-9,000 feet Trail Guide and experience the beauty of Ari- Difficulty: Moderate zona. To learn more about what’s Length: 8 miles round-trip Elevation: 8,567 to 9,403 feet happening in your neck of the 2. East Fork No. 95 Difficulty: Easy woods, contact John Michels, trail Trailhead GPS: N 35˚21.464’, W 111˚37.118’ Length: 14 miles round-trip Elevation: 5,328 to 5,619 feet programs manager, at jmichels@ Directions: From Flagstaff, drive north on Rating: Moderate Trailhead GPS: N 34˚59.434’, W 111˚44.587’ americanhiking.org or visit www. U.S. Route 89 for 12 miles and turn left onto Elevation: 8,200-9,300 feet Directions: From Sedona, drive north on americanhiking.org. Forest Road 420, which is located across State Route 89A for 9.5 miles to the Call of the from the Sunset Crater Volcano National 3. South Fork No. 97 Monument entrance. Continue on FR 420 Length: 14 miles round-trip LEFT: A perennial and follow the signs to Lockett Meadow Rating: Moderate stream feeds a Campground. The trailhead is well marked. multitude of grasses Elevation: 7,500-9,000 feet Vehicle Requirements: None and ferns along the Dogs Allowed: Yes (on a leash), but only West Fork Oak • For more information, contact Creek Trail. below the watershed cabin the Lakeside Ranger District at | DEREK VON BRIESEN USGS Maps: Humphreys Peak, 928-368-2100 or www.fs.usda. Sunset Crater West gov/asnf. RIGHT: The afternoon Information: Peaks Ranger District, 928- sun casts shadows 526-0866 or www.fs.usda.gov/coconino among aspens along the Inner Basin Trail. | SUZANNE MATHIA Foot Note: Aspen trees are clonal organisms, meaning that all of the trees sprout from a com- mon, massive root system — they’re genetically identical “clones.” Although the trees live for only 80 to 120 years, their root systems can live for thousands of years, making them one of the longest-living organisms in the world.

24 JUNE 2012 www.arizonahighways.com 25 Creek Campground. The trailhead is at the for bluegills, chubs and suckers. Dragonflies “My grandmother started campground. like the moisture, as well. And so will you. The Vehicle Requirements: None sound of the creek, the sunlight dancing off walking 5 miles a day Dogs Allowed: Yes (on a leash) the water, the grass, the shrubs, the trees sur- USGS Map: Promontory Butte rounded by large rock walls ... that’s the climax The 10 when she was 60. She’s 95 Information: Payson Ranger District, 928- of the Maxwell Trail. 474-7900 or www.fs.usda.gov/tonto Commandments now, and we don’t know Trail Guide Foot Note: Located just 3 miles east of this Length: 1.4 miles round-trip of Hiking where the hell she is.” trail is the place where Zane Grey’s cabin once Difficulty: Moderate stood. The cabin, which was built in the 1920s Elevation: 6,710 to 6,089 feet Never hike alone. — Ellen DeGeneres and destroyed by the Dude Fire in 1990, was a Trailhead GPS: N 34˚33.345’, W 111˚24.295’ Tell someone where you’re hik- historic landmark of sorts. The acclaimed author Directions: From Clints Well at the junction ing, the route you’ll be taking and of Riders of the Purple Sage and other famous of State Route 87 and Forest Highway 3, drive Western novels penned many of his classics at north on FH 3 for approximately 7 miles to when you’ll be home. the cabin. Today, a replica cabin is open for tours Forest Road 81. Turn left (west) onto FR 81 Carry identification (driver’s in nearby Payson. and continue approximately 4 miles to Forest license, etc.) and the name and Road 81E. Go left on FR 81E to the end of the telephone number of whom to 7 road, which is where the trailhead is located. call in case of emergency. Horton Creek Trail Vehicle Requirements: High-clearance Mogollon Rim vehicle Before you leave home, check Named for the creek that’s named for settler 8 Dogs Allowed: Yes (on a leash) the forecast, and pay attention L.J. Horton, this trail begins at the foot of the Maxwell Trail USGS Map: Calloway Butte to the weather while you’re on Mogollon Rim, about 150 feet from the Upper Mogollon Rim Information: Mogollon Rim Ranger Station, Campground, and follows an old This trail, which is located at the upper end of 928-477-2255 or www.fs.usda.gov/coconino the trail. logging road that parallels the stream. The the West Clear Creek Wilderness, begins with a Study the maps before first quarter-mile or so is an easy pine-needle- series of steep switchbacks. Through the trees, Foot Note: The road to this trail takes you past you go, and always carry a covered path that cuts through a grove of you’ll catch a glimpse of the lush canyon below. a former horse ranch known as Poor Farm, which compass, not just a GPS. ponderosas and aspens. To this point, you Like many trails on the Mogollon Rim, this one was homesteaded in 1908 by a young man from won’t hear any water, but once you pass the is rocky and loose in places. It’s steep, too, so Kansas named Irvin Henry Walker. Walker and his On the trail, know where Forest Service gate, you’ll start hearing the be careful. After about 25 minutes, you’ll catch cowboy cohorts constructed a very basic log cabin you’re going and where creek. For most of the hike, you’ll be within a the first sounds of the creek ... the highlight of next to the pasture where they kept their horses. you are in relation to the map few hundred yards of the water. Continuing the hike. In all, it’s about 45 minutes from top During a snowstorm, Walker, his partner Norvell you’re carrying. uphill, past the lush colonies of roses, wild to bottom, and along the way you’ll go from Cherry and some fellow cowboys gathered around grapes, ferns and strawberries, you’ll come to a transition zone of ponderosas, Douglas firs the cabin’s wood stove, trying to stay warm in their Take plenty of food, and carry a monstrous alligator juniper at the 1.5-mile and Gambel oaks to a riparian zone of red-osier sadly constructed shelter. Cherry is said to have told more water than you think you’ll mark. The surrounding maples and Douglas dogwoods, ash, willows and box elders. The Walker, “If you ask me, this is a damn poor farm.” need. firs are impressive, as well. The nature of the trail ends at the creek, which provides habitat That’s allegedly how Poor Farm got its name. trail stays about the same until it nears the There’s no such thing as too top, where a series of switchbacks leads away The Maxwell Trail ends at West Clear Creek, which attracts a variety of birds and other wildlife. much sunscreen. from the creek. Don’t be fooled by that. At the | DEREK VON BRIESEN Don’t overestimate your abilities. 4-mile mark, the Horton Creek Trail intersects the Highline Trail and quickly arrives at Horton Adhere to the Leave No Trace Spring, which pours out of the rocks about 30 principles (see below). feet above the stream and nurtures the lush surroundings made up of horsetails, mosses and grasses. These are the headwaters of the creek, and the turnaround point of the hike. A small waterfall tumbles into a maze of branches along the Horton Creek Trail. | SUZANNE MATHIA leave-no-trace principles: • Plan ahead and be prepared. Trail Guide • Travel and camp on durable Length: 8 miles round-trip surfaces. Difficulty: Moderate The average male, weighing 190 pounds, • Dispose of waste properly and 5,360 to 6,700 feet pack out all of your trash. Elevation: burns 517 calories in an hour of hiking. A Trailhead GPS: N 34˚20.394’, W 111˚05.732’ • Leave what you find. woman weighing 163 pounds burns 444. The Directions: From Payson, drive east on DID YOU • Respect wildlife and minimize State Route 260 for 17 miles to Tonto Creek calories burned per minute by an average- impact. Road (Forest Road 289) near Kohls Ranch, sized man are 9, while an average-sized • Be considerate of others. turn left and drive 1 mile to the Upper Tonto KNOW?woman burns 7. 26 JUNE 2012 www.arizonahighways.com 27 WHEN YOU’RE DONE HIKING The first thing you’ll want to do when you’ve finished your hike is call your friends or family and let them know you’ve made it safely back to your vehicle. Obviously, you might not have cell service in some LEFT: Alder leaves of the more remote areas, but call reflect in the waters of as soon as you can. After the hike, the evergreens are replaced by oaks, manzani- West Clear Creek. you’ll also want to put on some dry | NICK BEREZENKO tas, yuccas and beargrass. The views open up, clothes and drink some water. Even as well. Thirty minutes later, the trail switch- if you’re not thirsty, there’s a good ABOVE: The Green backs uphill over some boulders and arrives at chance you’ll be a little dehydrated Mountain Trail Bear Saddle, which sits at an elevation of 6,950 at the end of your hike. Finally, drive follows a series of feet and serves as the head of Bear Canyon. carefully, download your photos switchbacks through when you get home, share them From there, the trail follows Bear Canyon for a forest of ponderosa with your friends and encourage pines and Douglas firs. just under 2 miles to the General Hitchcock them to follow in your footsteps. | RANDY PRENTICE Campground. This homestretch, which is prob- As John Muir once wrote: “Few are ably the most beautiful part of the trail, takes altogether deaf to the preaching you back into the ponderosas and Douglas firs, of pine trees. Their sermons on the as well as Arizona cypress, before bottoming mountains go to our hearts; and if people in general could be got into out at the campground. the woods, even for once, to hear the trees speak for themselves, Trail Guide all difficulties in the way of forest Length: 7.8 miles round-trip preservation would vanish.” Difficulty: Moderate Elevation: 6,000 to 7,300 feet and a third and fourth creek-crossing, you’ll naguan people, who left behind ruins, tools and Trailhead GPS: N 32˚24.007’, W 110˚41.404’ come to a point where the trail veers northward other artifacts that are now scattered through- Directions: From Tanque Verde Road in HYPOTHERMIA from the creek. This is the turnaround point. out the wilderness area. If you’re lucky enough to Tucson, drive 4.2 miles on Catalina Highway to Also known as exposure, 9 stumble upon such a treasure, enjoy it with your the Forest Service boundary and continue 17.5 hypothermia is the lowering of the West Clear Creek Trail Trail Guide eyes only — do not touch it, move it or remove it. miles to the San Pedro Vista. body’s core temperature, and it Verde Valley Length: 11 miles round-trip Leave it as it is for the next lucky explorer. Special Consideration: A $5 day pass (per isn’t just a cold-weather concern. The centerpiece of this hike, and the body of Difficulty: Easy vehicle) is required. In fact, most cases of hypothermia occur in the summertime, when the water for which it’s named, is West Clear Creek, Elevation: 3,700 to 4,100 Vehicle Requirements: None temperatures are well above freezing an idyllic stream that winds for nearly 40 miles Trailhead GPS: N 34˚32.338’, W 111˚41.510’ Dogs Allowed: Yes (on a leash) — usually between 30 and 50 degrees through some of the most scenic and least- Directions: From Camp Verde, go southeast USGS Map: Fahrenheit. visited terrain in Arizona. From the trailhead, on State Route 260 for 6 miles to Forest Road 10 Information: Santa Catalina Ranger District, Symptoms: the route passes under a canopy of impressive 618. Turn left onto FR 618 and drive 2.2 miles Green Mountain Trail 520-749-8700 or www.fs.usda.gov/coronado • Shivering (first warning sign) sycamores — you’ll also see cottonwoods, to Forest Road 215. Turn right onto FR 215 and Santa Catalina Mountains • Goose bumps on skin Arizona walnuts, willows and ash along the continue approximately 3 miles to the Bull Pen Like other trails in the Catalinas, this one can Foot Note: Nearby was named for • Drowsiness creek. Initially, the trail piggybacks an old ranch Ranch Trailhead. be done as a one-way hike using a car-shuttle pioneer George Pusch, who came to Arizona from • Fatigue road on the north bank of the creek. Then, after Vehicle Requirements: High-clearance system, or as a round-tripper. The upper Germany in the 1870s. In 1874, he established the

• Loss of coordination about a mile, it cuts south for the first of four recommended trailhead is located at the San Pedro Vista and Steam Pump Ranch near the base of the ridge. At randy prentice stream-crossings. Throughout most of the year, Yes (on a leash) the lower trailhead is at the General Hitchcock the time, it was one of the largest cattle ranches • Incoherence, mumbling, stammering Dogs Allowed: other than the wet season, it’s a simple hop, Walker Mountain, Campground. For this listing, the route begins in the . In 1978, the Pusch Ridge • Hallucinations (advanced symptom) USGS Maps: skip and jump to the other side. Heading east on Buckhorn Mountain up top at San Pedro, and within a few minutes, Wilderness was created to preserve and protect • Pale appearance the south side of the perennial creek, the trail Information: Red Rock Ranger District, 928- the trail intersects a side route that leads to the the dwindling bighorn sheep population • A warming sensation (can be a sign of very serious hypothermia; check meanders through a lush riparian forest and 282-4119 or www.fs.usda.gov/coconino top of Green Mountain. Stay left and gear up for in the area. However, due to increased residential quickly comes to the second creek-crossing, fol- a series of steep switchbacks. At this point, the and commercial development, the sheep For more summer travel other symptoms carefully) ideas, scan this QR code or lowed by the official boundary of the West Clear Foot Note: Hundreds of years ago, the West surrounding forest is primarily ponderosa pines population has decreased dramatically. The last visit www.arizonahighways. Creek Wilderness. Eventually, after 5.5 miles Clear Creek drainage was also home to the Si- and Douglas firs. It’s lush and green. Moving on, documented sighting was in 2005. com/travel.asp.

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