Activities: Hiking

Info:
State: Arizona
Location: Tonto National Forest
Length: One-Way: 3 miles
Trail type: Out and Back
Best Season: Year-Round
Difficulty: More Difficult
Usage: Light

Description: The Babe Haught Trail (# 143) was built by pioneer “Babe” Haught to pack supplies over the rim from Winslow. The trail winds up the Rim through the eastern edge of the vast region devastated years ago in the Dude Fire, which consumed a 21 mile stretch of Rim forest. The lower part of the trail meanders under moderate tree cover through tall grass. Watch out for small log steps hidden under the grass. The grass becomes less dense after the first half mile, as you enter the fire zone and the trail becomes somewhat steeper over rock and sun-baked soil. Many lifeless and often coal-black hulks of trees still stand in various states of intactness providing a reminder to the devastation that occurred here in 1990. The trail is easy to follow and marked every so often by sometimes ridiculously large cairns. It gets rockier as you climb, passing through several bands of sedimentary rock along the way. The views are excellent almost the whole way due to the lack of tree cover; there are several good views looking down on the fish hatchery. Rolling hills can be seen for 30 miles or more to the South, with the Rim looming a thousand feet high to the North and East. The rising sun added to the effect, casting ever-changing shadows into the steep fissures and ragged alcoves of the Rim’s crumbly sedimentary slopes. The trail disappears on a gently sloping, grassy, rock-strewn plain.

Activities: Mountain Biking

Info:
State: Arizona
Location: Phoenix
Length: Round Trip: 20 miles
Trail type: Loop
Best Season: Spring, Fall, Winter
Difficulty: 2B

Description: At the crossroads of Pima and Dynamite roads you will find cars and trucks with bike racks parked off in the dirt. This is the starting point for over 100 miles of singletrack. Out in extreme North Scottsdale in the middle of some of the most beautiful Sonoran desert you can find, is singletrack for all experience levels. Most of the riding is fast rolling terrain with occasional short steep climbs. You won’t find any gnarly downhills or long climbs in this area. None of the trails are marked, so you need to keep yourself oriented to find your way back to the car. There are some power lines to use as a reference. These power lines have a jeep road under them. If you ever get lost, look for the power lines and follow the road back to your car. The way out is mostly uphill and the ride back is always faster. A favorite part is the ride back on the singletrack blasting through the corners and flying over the rollers. The ride back to your should be mostly downhill so you’ll know you are going the right way if you are cruising along in the high teens without much effort. Find a parking spot and follow the jeep road until you find some singletrack to the left or right and follow those. And be sure to take a lot of water. Caution: Motocross riders love this area. You will see and hear them all over. Keep your eyes and ears open and stay clear of them. They are going much faster, their bike is heavier and you can hear them. And you would lose. So ride defensively and have fun.

Activities: Hiking

Info:
State: Arizona
Location: Coconino National Forest
Length: One-Way: 7.5 miles
Trail type: Out and Back
Minimum Elevation: 4000 feet
Maximum Elevation: 5600 feet
Elevation Change: 1800 feet
Best Season: Year-Round
Difficulty: Difficult
Usage: Moderate

Description: The West Clear Creek Trail provides the only marked and maintained access route to the lower reaches of West Clear Creek Canyon Wilderness. From the western terminus at Bull Pen Ranch at the canyon mouth, the trail heads upstream into the deep, narrow gorge which the West Clear Creek has cut into the southern edge of the Colorado Plateau. The downstream end of the trail attracts large numbers of anglers, picnickers and other streamside adventurers attracted by the clear pools, slickrock water slides and tree-shaded riparian areas tucked away between red rock canyon walls. From the West Clear Creek Trail’s upper terminus at Bald Hill, the route drops 1,800 feet down a steep, talus-strewn slope from a high plateau of pinyon-juniper forests to the canyon floor. It then winds its way downstream along a stretch of secluded pools and rocky riffles. You should bring your wading shoes on this one, you’ll have to cross the stream at least four times. In times of high runoff, this trail can be impassable. In the middle of a hot desert summer, you’ll appreciate the opportunity to cool off.

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.

Activities: Hiking

Info:
State: Arizona
Location: Coconino National Forest
Length: One-Way: 2.4 miles
Trail type: Out and Back
Minimum Elevation: 7360 feet
Maximum Elevation: 8215 feet
Best Season: April to November
Difficulty: Easy
Usage: Moderate

Description: Though this trail has a humble beginning at an old roadblock, it quickly reveals itself to be one of the Coconino National Forest’s premier day hikes. Actually an old jeep track, now used solely as a foot trail, this 2.4 mile climb is a gradual but steady ascent along a wide gravel track to some of the best views on the forest. Interpretive signs along the way add a bit of educational interest by naming trailside species of trees and shrubs. Near the top of the climb, the path spirals up the mountain’s narrow summit like a stripe up a barber pole. The effect is as if you were riding past some of the Forest’s most spectacular scenery on a huge lazy Susan. The San Francisco Peaks, Kendrick Mountain, Red Mountain, the Grand Canyon, Painted Desert, you can see them all, just by turning your head, from the top of Slate Mountain.