The best of Arizona
1. East Rim, Kaibab Plateau, Kaibab National Forest
This is a stunning hike. Watch for an aspen grove in which the trunks have all made corkscrew twists in unison, a frozen ballet that appears equally noble and comical. At the north end of the hike, you’ll peer 2,500 feet down into Marble Canyon from the East Rim Viewpoint.
TRAIL: Easy 7-mile (one way) hike north to East Rim Viewpoint. Arrange for a shuttle back, or backpack in overnight.
WHERE: From State 67 about 4 miles north of the Grand Canyon National Park boundary, turn east onto Forest Route 610, then south 5 miles to AZT sign.
INFO: North Kaibab Ranger District (www.fs.fed.us/r3/kai or 928/643-7395).
2. Blue Ridge to the Mogollon Rim, Coconino National Forest
General Springs Canyon is a deep, dark ponderosa forest retreat where awaits—if the season cooperates—a lovely necklace of reflective pools. At General Springs, you’ll see a few cabins built by the Forest Service in 1914–15. At the end is a view over the Mogollon Rim into the Tonto National Forest.
TRAIL: Moderate hike 9 miles (one way) south to F.R. 300 and the Mogollon Rim. Arrange for a shuttle back.
WHERE: Just north of milepost 295 on U.S. 87, turn south onto F.R. 751. Cross first cattle guard and continue south 2 miles to second guard and AZT sign.
INFO: Happy Jack Information Center (www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino or 928/477-2172).
3. Rogers Trough Trailhead to Reavis Ranch, Tonto National Forest
This dramatic foray into the Superstitions passes through rugged foothills into the lush mountain valley where eccentric rancher Elisha Reavis homesteaded in the 1870s. His rusty implements—harrow, plow, water pump—now snore in the sun, while a reliable creek (treat the water) provides hikers’ refreshment.
TRAIL: 12 miles round-trip to abandoned Reavis Ranch. Strenuous, but total elevation gain is only about 1,000 feet. For a shorter and much easier hike, turn left after 1.3 miles onto the Rogers Canyon Trail, and head to Rogers Canyon Spring, about 4 miles round-trip.
WHERE: From U.S. 60, turn north on Queen Valley Rd. After 2 miles, veer right on Hewitt Station Rd. (F.R. 357), go 3 miles, and turn left on F.R. 172. After 8 miles, veer right on F.R. 172A and continue 3 miles to trailhead. Four-wheel-drive essential.
INFO: Mesa Ranger District (www.fs.fed.us/r3/tonto or 480/ 610-3300).
4. Whitford Canyon
In this shallow, little-known desert canyon an hour east of Phoenix, you’ll stroll progressively through a cottonwood forest, a saguaro forest, a cholla forest, and a mesquite forest. One of the Sonoran Desert’s most extravagant and fecund hideaways.
TRAIL: Easy-to-moderate hike north through Whitford Canyon; turn back whenever you like. Maximum round-trip (to F.R. 650 and back): 8 miles.
'WHERE: From Florence Junction, head east on U.S. 60 about 10 miles, then turn north on Hewitt Station Rd. (F.R. 357); the AZT crosses the road 0.25 mile beyond.
INFO: Globe Ranger District (928/402-6200).
5. Oracle Ridge, Coronado National Forest
Coal-black skeletons of white oak and Emory oak trees—victims of the 2003 Aspen Fire—jut into the sky like upturned spiders’ legs. It’s eerily sinister but also strangely beautiful, and colorful new vegetation is bursting out everywhere.
TRAIL: Hike south about 3 miles (one way) to the Apache Peak area, about 1,000-feet elevation gain, and return; moderate.
WHERE: From the town of Oracle, follow Old Mt. Lemmon Rd. (F.R. 38) southeast; at American Flag Ranch, take the right fork 1 mile to the Oracle Ridge trailhead.
INFO: Santa Catalina Ranger District (www.fs.fed.us/r3/coronado or 520/749-8700).
6. Montezuma Pass to Miller Peak, Coronado National Memorial
The trail is a dramatic catwalk chipped out of the Huachuca Mountains, the slope below a colossal swoop down to the San Pedro Valley. The payoff is the 9,466-foot summit of Miller Peak, a granite knuckle with rim-of-the-world views. Or take a shorter, less strenuous hike to the Mexican border.
TRAIL: Hike 5 miles (one way) north to Miller Peak spur trail, and continue 0.5 mile to the summit; strenuous. For a moderate but very scenic desert trek, walk south from Montezuma Pass 1.7 miles (one way) to the border—the southern end of the AZT. Caution: Overnight camping not recommended; illegal immigrants sometimes use the trail.
WHERE: From Sierra Vista, take State 92 south 17 miles to Coronado National Memorial Rd. Turn right and go 8 miles to Montezuma Pass parking; trailhead is across the road.
INFO: Coronado National Memorial Visitor Center (www.nps.gov/coro or 520/366-5515).
