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Hike Arizona:Payson and the Mogollon Rim |
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Christopher Creek to See SpringHike:This seven-mile hike (round-trip) climbs 1,600' from Christopher Creek to the top of the Mogollon Rim. From the trailhead, you'll cross the babbling waters of Christopher Creek and follow the Highline Trail to the junction with the See Canyon Trail. The trail passes through a ponderosa pine forest and the creek is lined with mint, ferns and grasses. There are signs of wildlife all along the trail, so keep your eyes open and you might see a deer or other forest wildlife. Turn around at the spring or continue on to the top of the Mogollon Rim. The route follows the perennial creek for a couple of miles through a dense pine forest, then climbs steeply to the edge of Mogollon Rim and spectacular views. This is a great spot to eat lunch while taking in the panorama and cool, pine-scented air. If there's time, you might also try the short See Canyon Spring Trail, which leads to a beautiful meadow of waist-high golden grass. Best Time of Year to Hike: May – October Distance: 7 miles round trip Elevation Change: +-2060' Difficulty: "B" [moderate] Weather Conditions: Payson Drive: Take the Beeline Highway northeast to Payson. From Payson, at AZ 87 and AZ 260, go 22 miles east on AZ 260 (MP273.8) into the town of Christopher Creek. Go 1.5 miles north up FS Rd#284 to the trailhead with a high clearance vehicle, or, park on the south side of AZ 260 and walk up to the trailhead. 
Col. Devin TrailHike:This 3.2 mile trail climbs to the top of the Mogollon Rim from Washington Park. Washington Park is also the point that the East Verde River originates from a pipe stretching underground from Blue Ridge Reservoir. The trail rises from 5,840 feet to 7,240 feet. This is a great trail, tying in with the famous Highline network. It also provides a critical linkage for the 750-mile, cross-state Arizona Trail as it connects the Highline Trail #31 below the rim, to the Fred Haught Trail #28 on top of the rim. There is great historic significance since this was the trail used by the military when Arizona was settled. Trail reconstruction on some of the upper sections may change some of the route. Much of the trail parallels power lines. This trail provides access to the Railroad Tunnel Trail, which terminates at at historic, uncompleted railroad tunnel and powder house remains. This is one of the best in Arizona and can be hiked all year round. Best Time of Year to Hike: May – September Distance: 6.4 miles round trip, depending on where you turn around Elevation Change: +-1264' Difficulty: "B" [moderate] Weather Conditions: Payson Drive: Washington Park Trailhead is reached by taking Hwy. 87 to FR199. Turn east on FR199 and travel 10.3 miles to FR64. Turn west on FR64 and travel 0.7 mile to FR32. Turn north on FR32 and 3.3 miles to FR32A. The trailhead is located 0.5 mile north of FR32A. Upon reaching Washington Park Trailhead, continue past the kiosk approximately 100' to the beginning of Trail #290.
Pine Canyon CreekHike:This will be a challenging day hike from the bottom to the top of the Mogollon Rim, mostly under forest cover, with a couple of miles of the upper trail parallel with Pine Creek. There has been some significant pine bark beetle damage in the area, so we are likely to see a lot of brown and dead pine trees along stretches of the trail, but hopefully this will not spoil the overall natural beauty of the area for us. At the Highline trailhead near Pine, we will hike about 500 feet to the junction with the Pine Canyon Trail. The trail will offer a variety of sights along the eight-mile route to the top of the rim. With the exception of a half-mile or so of open exposure at either end of the trail, the rest of it is mostly under the cover of pine forest. Expect to see some significant damage along stretches of the trail, due to the pine bark beetle infestation that is plaguing much of Arizona's pine forests because of the current drought conditions. As the name implies, much of the trail traverses scenic Pine Canyon. After about five miles, the trail will start to parallel Pine Creek for the next couple of miles. Much of the elevation gain that we will experience on this trail (1,600 feet total) will be at the end of the first mile and again at mile six, where the trail starts a major ascent up the Mogollon Rim in a series of steep switchbacks. Get ready for a great cardio workout at this point. Best Time of Year to Hike: Spring through Fall Distance: 8 miles one way Range of Elevation: 5,600' to 7,200' Difficulty: "B" [moderate] Weather Conditions: Payson Drive: From the Target Center it will be close to a two-hour drive to the signed Highline trailhead about 2.5 miles south of Pine on State Highway 87 (the Beeline Highway). We will all meet at this trailhead and shuttle several vehicles to the other end of the trail on top of the rim about two miles north of the Highway 260 turnoff to Camp Verde. After we hike to the top of the rim, we will all pile into our return vehicles and drive back down to the Pine trailhead. Otherwise, we are looking at a 16-mile round trip hike.  Trip Report - Nov 2003
Pine TrailHike:The trailhead is at 5380 feet and the trail winds through a forest of ponderosa pines past Dripping Springs, then proceeds uphill into the woods. There are great views of the town of Pine and the trail meets up with the creek. There are also maples and other deciduous trees. The hike is of moderate difficulty. Plan on doing 6-8 miles at a leisurely pace. Required: • Sturdy hiking boots • At least 3 liters of water and lunch • Rain gear, sweatshirt • Hat, sunblock, sunglasses Distance: 8 miles Time: 5-6 hours On trail: 100% [Pine Trail] Difficulty: "B" [moderate] Weather Conditions: Payson Drive: Pine Trailhead: From Payson, go north 14 miles to the Pine Trailhead. The trailhead is well marked on the east side of AZ SR 87. It is accessible in a sedan.
Fossil Springs, StrawberryHike:Hike down an winding old jeep road to lush, riparian springs. The upper trail to the springs follows a winding, steep, dusty, hot old jeep road two miles down past an old gravel pit. The trail turns south and goes a half-mile to Fossil Springs. There is an alternative route, the Flume Trail, that can be accessed five miles further along the road. The habitat is supported by springs issuing over a million gallons of water an hour. The springs got its name from the exposed limestone which contain 350 million year old marine fossils. Over 30 species of trees and shrubs provide habitant for 100 kinds of birds. Other wildlife in the area include mule deer, white tailed deer, black bear, mountain lion, and numerous other wildlife. Last year this time the mesquite & flowers were blooming, it was absolutely beautiful. We hope this is the case this year. There may be a few creek crossings, but not to worry, they are nothing like 7 Falls in Tucson, the creek is not that deep maybe ankle deep and mostly stepping on rocks to cross. So, maybe you'd like to bring some shoes to walk through the water. Best Time of Year to Hike: April through October Distance: 5 miles round trip Elevation Change: +-1320' Difficulty: "C" [easy] Weather Conditions: Payson Drive: From Payson at AZ 87 and AZ260, go northwest 17 miles on AZ87 (mp269.5) turn left on FS #708 (at Strawberry Inn) and go 4 miles southwest to a dirt road, turn right and go north 0.5 miles to the trailhead lot.
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updated April 11, 2008