GENE PERRET'S WIT STOP

hikemanth Six Miles on SIXSHOOTER TRAIL Near Globe Gives Hikers a Taste of MULTIPLE MOUNTAIN PERSONALITIES

IT'S NOT OFTEN YOU COME across a trail with an identity crisis, but you're more likely to if you hike in the sky-island ranges-high mountains that rise sharply from the desert floor, creating cooler, more moist climate zones. Pine-forest, riparian, high-desert and mixed-conifer communities cross each other capriciously on these peaks, tangling in an eclectic blend.

The Sixshooter Trail, just south of Globe in the Pinal Mountains, takes on a manic personality. Within its 6-mile length, the trail obsessively and steeply climbs almost 3,000 feet to transport you from scrubby chaparral mix along raspy mountain slopes to quaking aspen trees at its end near Ferndell chaparral mix along raspy mountain slopes to quaking aspen trees at its end near Ferndell agaves and cacti plus piñon pine and juniper trees sprouting from rocky outcroppings, into a cool climb through conifers and more Gambel oaks. The path dips in and out of moist crooks at creek crossings.

Still climbing after about 4 miles, the trail pulls away from the canyon's crevice and stabilizes its personality as it enters pine-oak forest. Granite boulders loll around the forest floor, decorated with pine needles and oak leaves. Sometimes black bears grubbing along the path leave a trail of overturned boulders. Bobcats, white-tailed deer, mountain lions and coatimundis also roam the mountain. About a half-mile farther up, the trail joins an old mining road surrounded by a forest of bigtooth maple, velvet ash and Gambel oaks. During the fall, this section lights up with autumn color.

The road drops abruptly several hundred feet and levels off until it reaches a mine shaft on the left side of the path. In the 1880s, a sawmill and cabin sat opposite the mine. The sawmill workers reportedly packed six-shooters, a propensity that gave the canyon its name.

In the past, the forest was overharvested, and the mine flooded and was shut down. Now, a line of grass follows the water trickling out of the mine across the road toward the mill's skeletal remains and a broken-down cabin.

The route climbs again and struggles another mile toward Ferndell Spring. Just a half-mile from the end, the trail veers off the road to the right and enters a forest of mixed conifers and aspen trees. The trail ends about a quarter-mile beyond Ferndell Spring at its junction with the Middle Trail, just short of the top of Pinal Peak in a crown of aspen trees.

Hikers get a reprieve on the return hikeit's an easy downhill trek all the way back to the trailhead. The hardest part is keeping track of the trail's many different personalities. All For families, novices and experts, Arizona Hiking: Urban Trails, Easy Paths & Overnight Treks features a trail mix ranging from urban-area preserves to the Grand Canyon. The book brims with how-to and whereto-go information on more than 70 hikes, plus 120 color photos. To order ($16.95 plus shipping and handling), call toll-free (800) 543-5432. Or use arizonahighways.com.

LOCATION: About 95 miles east of Phoenix.

GETTING THERE: Drive to the east edge of Globe on U.S. Route 60, and turn right (south) at Hill Street just past Milepost 251.

Follow the brown and white signs 1.2 miles to the Pinal Mountain Recreation Area and turn right onto Icehouse Canyon Road, which is Forest Service Road 112; drive 1.8 miles to a stop sign and continue straight 2 miles to the end of the pavement. Drive 0.5 mile to the CCC Camp picnic area and the Sixshooter Canyon Trailhead.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Tonto National Forest, Globe Ranger District, (928) 402-6200.

Spring. In between, the landscape veers from high-desert scrub to high-country pines to New England-style hardwood forests.

The trail starts exposed, without cover, among the chaparral mix of manzanita and scrub-oak bushes. When it drops into the Sixshooter Creek drainage, at about mile 1, the creek's riparian forest cools the path down. But the trail quickly climbs out of the oasis and heads back into the chaparral to steadily ascend the mountain. Along the way, panoramic views of Globe and Miami spread to the north.

By mile 2, the trail continues its nonstop climb under canopies of Gambel oak trees. In another mile, depending on which side of the canyon it follows, the trail changes from a rugged trek through high desert, a mix of