SUMMER HIKING GUIDE 2015

Summer Hiking Guide

Hiking is a year-round sport in Arizona - desert trails in the winter, mountain trails in the summer and everything else somewhere in between. This month, our focus is on summer. There are a lot of great trails out there. What follows are five of our favorites, which we've excerpted from our new book, Arizona Highways Hiking Guide. BY ROBERT STIEVE

Rainbow Rim Trail KAIBAB PLATEAU 3 Reasons to Hit This Trail:

FOOT NOTES:

There isn't a pot of gold at the end of this trail, but there's something more impressive: the Grand Canyon. Despite the visual impact of a pile of money, the views from this remote trail are even better. The hike begins at Timp Point and winds for 18 miles to Parissawampitts Point, with several other lookouts in between. Within the first 60 seconds, the route makes a 90-degree turn away from the Canyon. It's counterintuitive, but that's the nature of the Rainbow Rim Trail. It winds in and around a series of small, steep side canyons, and it never seems to be headed toward its namesake rim. Eventually, however, it gets there. After about 10 minutes, the trail veers north, then east through an open forest to a pair of giant, old-growth ponderosas. The first aspen shows up a few minutes later on the ridge of one of the many side canyons. The canyons, which are a constant along the way, make this trail a lot longer than the straight-line distance between Timp Point and North Timp Point, the endpoint for this listing. From a gully that's thick with old-growth trees, the trail zigzags uphill and then makes a beeline for the rim of the Canyon. There you'll see an incredible panorama that includes Timp Point and the Powell Plateau. It's only a tease, however, because the trail quickly dips back into the forest. Look for Kaibab squirrels and mule deer. There are mountain lions in the area, too. The rest of the route continues through the woods and, after about an hour, arrives at North Timp Point. Although it's the endpoint for the day hike, you'll want to hang out for a while - of the five scenic lookouts, North Timp is the best.

TRAIL GUIDE

LENGTH: 6 miles round-trip (Timp Point to North Timp Point) DIFFICULTY: Easy ELEVATION: 7,611 to 7,657 feet TRAILHEAD GPS: N 36°22.913', W 112°21.379' DIRECTIONS: From Jacob Lake, go south on State Route 67 for 26 miles to Forest Road 22. Turn right onto FR 22 and continue 10.4 miles to Forest Road 206. Turn left onto FR 206 and continue 4.9 miles to Forest Road 271. Veer left onto FR 271 and continue 7.9 miles to the trailhead at Timp Point. VEHICLE REQUIREMENTS: A highclearance vehicle is recommended. DOGS ALLOWED: Yes (on a leash) HORSES ALLOWED: Yes USGS MAP: Timp Point INFORMATION: North Kaibab Ranger District, 928-643-7395 or www.fs.usda. gov/kaibab

NATIONAL TRAILS DAY

On June 6, 2015, the American Hiking Society will celebrate its 23rd annual National Trails Day. It's one more reason to get outside and experience the beauty of Arizona. To learn more about what's happening in your neck of the woods, visit www.nationaltrailsday.org.

Groom Creek Loop 3 Reasons to Hit This Trail:

FOOT NOTES:

This moderate trek is one of the best trails in the Prescott National Forest. Along with a pretty good workout, the loop offers more than its share of scenery, especially from the top of Spruce Mountain, from which you can see Crown King, Prescott and, on a clear day, the San Francisco Peaks. About 15 minutes into the hike, you'll come to a boulder the size of a small Winnebago. Looking around, you'll notice that the forest isn't as dense as others you might have hiked. That's because it's made up mostly of alligator junipers, oaks and a scattering of ponderosa pines. You'll also see some firs as you get higher up the mountain. What you won't see are spruce trees. The tree for which the summit is named doesn't grow in this forest. What the early settlers thought were spruce trees are actually white firs. Continuing on, the trail gets rocky and eventually leads to an intersection that can be a little confusing. Follow the arrow for Trail No. 307 and you'll be headed in the right direction. Spruce Mountain is about an hour from this point, and for most of those 60 minutes the terrain remains about the same. At the top of the mountain, you'll see some picnic tables and a fire tower. From the picnic tables, the loop begins a downhill run. One of the first things you'll see is an alligator juniper that's at least 6 feet in diameter. The rest of the route winds down the mountain, through a small ravine and back to the trailhead.

TRAIL GUIDE

LENGTH: 8.7-mile loop DIFFICULTY: Moderate ELEVATION: 6,400 to 7,693 feet TRAILHEAD GPS: N 34°28.134', W 112°26.280' DIRECTIONS: From Prescott, go east on Gurley Street to Mt. Vernon Avenue (Senator Highway, Forest Road 52). Turn right onto Mt. Vernon Avenue and continue approximately 6.4 miles to the trailhead, which is on the left side of the road. VEHICLE REQUIREMENTS: None DOGS ALLOWED: Yes (on a leash) HORSES ALLOWED: Yes USGS MAP: Groom Creek INFORMATION: Bradshaw Ranger District, 928-4438000 or www.fs.usda.gov/prescott

THE 10 COMMANDMENTS OF HIKING

Never hike alone.

Tell someone where you're hiking, the route you'll be taking and when you'll be home.

Carry identification (driver's license, etc.) and the name and telephone number of whom to call in case of emergency.

Before you leave home, check the forecast, and pay attention to the weather while you're on the trail.

Woods Canyon Lake Loop MOGOLLON RIM 3 Reasons to Hit This Trail:

FOOT NOTES: This easy trail begins in the parking lot of the lake's general store. From the pavement, head east and make your way to the Spillway Dam, which is a long, narrow mound of dirt with red rocks on the lake side and green grass on the opposite slope. Hop on the dirt path that crosses the dam, say hello to the many fishermen and head for the woods, which are home to ponderosa pines, Douglas firs, Gambel oaks, bracken ferns and wild roses. Within minutes of entering the forest, you'll start seeing plastic blue diamonds tacked to the trees. Although it's virtually impossible to get lost on this trail, which parallels the shoreline for its entire length, the markers come in handy. In addition to the blue diamonds, the forest brings an unexpected measure of solitude. Woods Canyon Lake was built for recreation, and it can feel congested at times, but the noise disappears quickly beyond the dam. The trail continues in a counterclockwise direction with some gentle ups and downs, but the most you'll ever climb at a time is the equivalent of three flights of stairs. About 45 minutes in, the trail winds to the end of a slough where you'll see a small creek that feeds the lake. The rest of the route continues around the lake, past the Rocky Point Trailhead and back to the general store.

TRAIL GUIDE

LENGTH: 5 miles round-trip DIFFICULTY: Easy ELEVATION: 7,534 to 7,574 feet TRAILHEAD GPS: N 34°20.001', W 110°56.646' DIRECTIONS: From Payson, go east on State Route 260 past Kohls Ranch to Forest Road 300, where the road tops out on the Mogollon Rim. Turn left onto FR 300 and continue 5 miles to Woods Canyon Lake. Park in the lot adjacent to the boat landing. VEHICLE REQUIREMENTS: None DOGS ALLOWED: Yes (on a leash) HORSES ALLOWED: Yes USGS MAP: Woods Canyon INFORMATION: Black Mesa Ranger District, 928-535-7300 or www.fs.usda.gov/asnf Study the maps before you go, and always carry a compass, not just a GPS.

On the trail, know where you're going and where you are in relation to the map you're carrying.

Take plenty of food, and carry more water than you think you'll need.

There's no such thing as too much sunscreen.

Don't overestimate your abilities.

Adhere to the Leave No Trace principles (see page 55).

Horton Creek Trail MOGOLLON RIM 3 Reasons to Hit This Trail:

FOOT NOTES: This trail, which is named for the creek that's named for settler L.J. Horton, begins at the foot of the Mogollon Rim, about 150 feet from the Upper Tonto Creek Campground, and follows an old logging road that parallels the stream. The first quarter-mile or so is an easy pine-needle-covered path that cuts through a grove of ponderosas and aspens. For most of the hike, you'll be within a few hundred yards of the creek. By all means, hop off the trail, get your feet wet and catch your breath. Although this trail is rated moderately difficult, you will feel the effects of climbing the face of the Mogollon Rim. At the 1.5-mile mark, you'll see a monstrous alligator juniper to your left - this tree is to junipers what the General Sherman is to giant sequoias. The surrounding maples and Douglas firs are impressive, as well. The nature of the trail stays about the same until it nears the top, where a series ofswitchbacks leads away from the creek. Don't be fooled by that. At the 4-mile mark, the Horton Creek Trail intersects the Highline Trail. Just beyond that intersection is Horton Spring, which pours out of the rocks about 30 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 for the day hike.

TRAIL GUIDE

LENGTH: 8 miles round-trip DIFFICULTY: Moderate ELEVATION: 5,360 to 6,700 feet TRAILHEAD GPS: N 34°20.394', W 111°05.732' DIRECTIONS: From Payson, go east on State Route 260 for 17 miles to Tonto Creek Road (Forest Road 289) near Kohls Ranch. Turn left onto Tonto Creek Road and continue 1 mile to the Upper Tonto Creek Campground. The trailhead is at the campground. VEHICLE REQUIREMENTS: None DOGS ALLOWED: Yes (on a leash) HORSES ALLOWED: Yes USGS MAP: Promontory Butte INFORMATION: Payson Ranger District, 928-474-7900 or www.fs.usda.gov/tonto

HIT THE TRAILS

In 2011, we published our first edition of Arizona Highways Hiking Guide, which featured 52 of the state's best day hikes, sorted by seasons. Unfortunately, several major wildfires wiped out many of those trails. So, we've updated the book with 12 new hikes. To order a copy, visit www.shoparizona highways.com/books.

Abineau-Bear Jaw Loop 3 Reasons to Hit This Trail:

FOOT NOTES: The first thing you need to know about this hike is that it might be the last one you ever do in the San Francisco Peaks. That's because it comes with just about everything, including scenery, solitude and sweat - it's the perfect trail. From the trailhead, the loop begins as a wide path through a grassy meadow surrounded by aspens, ponderosas, black bears (which you probably won't see) and elk (which you might). Then, before you know it, it arrives at a junction where the Bear Jaw Trail splits left and Abineau goes right. Either way will work. This listing runs clockwise, to the left. About 25 minutes in, the trail crosses into the Kachina Peaks Wilderness. A few minutes later, it passes a bizarre grove of “bowing” aspens. There are hundreds of them, maybe thousands, bent to one side by some force of nature. More aspens dominate the landscape on the way to what's known as Pipeline Road, which connects the two trails included in this loop. It's a narrow jeep road that climbs gradually into an ecosystem of Engelmann spruce, Douglas firs and more aspens. Eventually, after 2 miles on the dirt road, you'll leave the forest and arrive at the high point of the hike. You'll know you're there when you see an intersection with the Abineau Trail. The scene is dominated by views of the San Francisco Peaks. From the intersection, the loop continues downhill on the Abineau Trail for about 2 miles through Abineau Canyon, under a canopy of aspens and evergreens and back to where you started.

for 15.7 miles to Forest Road 420, which is directly across from the turnoff to Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument. Turn left onto FR 420 and continue about a half-mile to Forest Road 552. Turn right onto FR 552 and continue 1 mile to Forest Road 418. Turn right onto FR 418 and continue 8.1 miles to Forest Road 9123J. Turn left onto FR 9123J and continue 0.5 miles to the trailhead.

TRAIL GUIDE

LENGTH: 6.8-mile loop

DIFFICULTY: Moderate

ELEVATION: 8,536 to 10,284 feet

TRAILHEAD GPS: N 35°23.177', W 111°40.601'

DIRECTIONS: From downtown Flagstaff, go north on U.S. Route 89

VEHICLE REQUIREMENTS: None

DOGS ALLOWED: Yes (on a leash)

HORSES ALLOWED: Yes

USGS MAPS: Humphreys Peak, White Horse Hills INFORMATION: Flagstaff Ranger District, 928-526-0866 or www. fs.usda.gov/coconino AH