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Hike Arizona:
Payson and the Mogollon Rim

	Chevelon Canyon Christopher Creek to See Spring Deer Creek Trail #45 Clover Creek Col. Devin Trail Hardscrabble Mesa Horton Creek Pine Canyon Trail #26 Pivot Rock Canyon		Rim to Highline Highline to Drew Rim Vista Loop Parker Creek Rye: Barnhardt Canyon Strawberry: Fossil Springs Strawberry: West Clear Creek Sunflower: Ballantine Trail Sunflower: Little Saddle Trail
	Guidebooks: Freeman, Roger and Ethel, Day Hikes and Trail Rides in Payson’s Rim Country, Gem Guides, Baldwin Park, CA, 2005. Payson area trail descriptions are given to the nearest hundredth of a mile and illustrated on maps.

Christopher Creek to See Spring

Hike:
    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 Trail

Hike:
    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.

Trip Report - Aug 1999

updated June 19, 2010