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Tonto National Forest desk: (602) 225-5200 |
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Hiking and Trailriding
The Tonto National Forest has a collection of nearly 900 miles of National Forest System Trails. Their primary purpose is to provide a variety of opportunities for hikers, bikers and equestrians to enjoy the beauty and challenge of nature. The trail conditions range from good to very poor; most are not suitable for motor vehicles of any type. A trailing experience can include anything from the fulfilling opposition of steep grades and heavy brush, to the exciting discovery of spectacular scenic views and memorable and peaceful seclusion from the pressures and congestion of society. Exploring a trail in the forest can be both relaxing and exhilarating, and sometimes even dangerous. With summer temperatures averaging in the mid 90s throughout most of the forest, no trail adventures should be made without the appropriate precautionary measures. Make sure that you have an adequate supply of drinking water, as well as a general idea of the time needed to complete the trip. It's also a good idea to take someone with you. You can run into trouble on any adventure, and sometimes the best defense is a partner or group. Remember to be safe when trailing, and avoid unnecessary danger in all forms. For more information on a particular trail contact the managing RANGER STATION. |
Click here for the NEW "A Hiker's Guide to the Tonto National Forest" (As experienced by Tonto's own Lindsay Sostrom) |
Warning: During the "monsoon season" in July and August, severe thunderstorms occur with regularity, often causing potentially dangerous flash flooding.
MOGOLLON
RIM 
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Rising abruptly above the basin is the precipitous two-hundred-mile escarpment
named the Mogollon Rim. A variety of vegetation often intermingle: the Ponderosa
Pine forest, with the Interior Chaparral and the Great Basin Montane Scrubland.
The area begins at an elevation of 5,000 ft. and goes up to 8,000 ft. It is very pleasant in the spring and the fall, but visits can be comfortable during the winter and the summer.
During the "monsoon season" in July and August, severe thunderstorms occur, sometimes causing potentially dangerous flash-flooding. The following graphs will give an idea of long-term weather conditions:
5500 Ft. Elevation
The following trails are in or adjacent to the Mogollon
Rim Area:
Click on the name to view the Recreational Oportunity Guide (ROG)
| Name and Number | Length | Difficulty |
| Abert (Interpretive) #5 | 1.0 | Easiest |
| Oak #16 | 3.2 | More Difficult |
| Pine Canyon #26 | 7.9 | More Difficult |
| Myrtle #30 | 0.5 | MOST Difficult |
| Highline #31 | 50.2 | More Difficult |
| Derrick Spur #32 | 0.9 | Easiest |
| Derrick #33 | 2.2 | More Difficult |
| Babe Haught #143 | 2.6 | MOST Difficult |
| Sinkhole #179 | 2.3 | More Difficult |
| See Canyon #184 | 2.4 | MOST Difficult |
| See Spring #185 | 0.6 | MOST Difficult |
| Turkey #217 | 2.5 | MOST Difficult |
| West Webber #228 | 2.1 | More Difficult |
| Horton Creek #285 | 3.8 | Easiest |
| East Webber #289 | 3.1 | More Difficult |
| Colonel Devin #290 | 2.0 | MOST Difficult |
| Drew #291 | 1.0 | MOST Difficult |
| Horton Spring #292 | 1.2 | MOST Difficult |
| Redrock #294 | 1.0 | More Difficult |
| Pump Station #296 | 1.0 | Easiest |
| R.R. Tunnel #390 | 0.3 | More Difficult |
| Dans #550 | 4.8 | MOST Difficult |
| Valentine #551 | 0.7 | More Difficult |
| Trail Guides - Maps & Detailed Information |
| Highline National Recreational Trail |
TRANSITION back
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These transition areas are all over the Tonto National Forest, including some
Sonoran Desertscrub, Semidesert Grassland, Evergreen Woodland, Chaparral, and
some Montane Confier Forest. These zones change by elevation (2,000 ft. to
6,000 ft.) and by exposure (north/east and south/west). These various areas
have something for everyone sometime during the year. In higher elevations,
snow will be found during the winter, but during the summer at lower elevations,
it can become very hot. In the middle areas, it is usually not too cold or
too hot (if you're prepared).
During the "monsoon season" in July and August, severe thunderstorms occur, sometimes causing potentially dangerous flash-flooding. The following graphs will give an idea of long-term weather conditions:
Note: the average temperatures may be extrapolated to other elevations with a general change of 3.5° F per 1,000 feet of elevation difference.
3500 Ft. Elevation
5500 Ft. Elevation
The following trails are in or adjacent to the Transition
Areas:
| Name and Number | Length | Difficulty |
| Fossil Springs #18.1 | 3.1 | More Difficult |
| Del Shay #41 | 6.0 | More Difficult |
| McFadden Park #55 | 5.0 | More Difficult |
| Park #66 | 4.9 | More Difficult |
| Sycamore #68 | 5.8 | More Difficult |
| Denton #69 | 5.3 | MOST Difficult |
| Cienega #145 | 3.3 | Easiest |
| Boyer #148 | 6.0 | More Difficult |
| Abbey's Way #151 | 2.0 | More Difficult |
| Pine Creek Loop #280 | 3.0 | More Difficult |
| Ballantine #283 | 10.0 | MOST Difficult |
CAVE CREEK back
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This small area has both Semidesert Grassland and the Great Basin Montane Scrubland.
Most of this zone has good perrenial grasses, and trees such as several species
of oaks, Manzanita, rabbitbrush, Hackberry, and some riparian-species. There
are rolling hills, but some hills are very steep.
Elevations in this area range from 3,000 feet to 4,400 feet, and the climate changes from cool to hot. During the "monsoon season" in July and August, sever thunderstorms occur, sometimes causing potentially dangerous flash-flooding. The following graphs will give and idea of long-term weather conditions:
3500 Ft. Elevation
The following trails are in or adjacent to the Cave
Creek Area:
| Name and Number | Length | Difficulty |
| Cave Creek #4 | 10.4 | More Difficult |
| Seven Springs (Interpretive) #5 | 0.3 | Easiest |
| Bronco #245 | 3.6 | More Difficult |
| Skunk Tail #246 | 5.2 | More Difficult |
| Cottonwood Creek #247 | 10.4 | More Difficult |
| Skull Mesa #248 | 5.0 | MOST Difficult |
| Quien Sabe #250 | 2.6 | Easiest |
Click here for a map of the Cave Creek Trail System.
DESERT back
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The Sonoran Desertscrub (also known as the Arizona Desert) is one of the most
famous and picturesque deserts. On the Tonto National Forest, much of this
area consists of slopes, broken ground, and multi-dissected sloping plains.
Truly spectacular, it is the best watered and the least desert-like desertscrub
in North America.
Cacti are very important plants in this area. Examples are the noble saguaros, various species of Cholla, and Barrel cactus. There are also trees such as Paloverde, Crucifixion-thorn, mesquites and Cat-claw Acacia.
Elevations in this area range from 1,500 feet to 2,500 feet. The climate is brutal in the summer, but just right during part of the winter and spring.
During the "monsoon season" in July and August, severe thunderstorms occur, sometimes causing potentially dangerous flash-flooding--even when not a drop of rain comes down where the flash-flooding occurs. The following graphs will give and idea of the long-term weather conditions:
1700 Ft. Elevation
The following trails are in or adjacent to the Desert
Areas:
| Name and Number | Length | Difficulty |
| Siphon Draw #53 | 1.1 | Easiest |
| Treasure Loop #56 | 2.4 | Easiest |
| Prospectors #57 | 0.7 | Easiest |
| Jacobs #58 | 6.5 | Easiest |
| Cottonwood (Lower) #120.1 | 1.3 | Easiest |
| Cottonwood (Upper) #120.2 | 3.2 | More Difficult |
| Thompson #121 | 2.6 | Easiest |
| Vineyard #131 | 5.6 | More Difficult |
| Cemetery #255 | 0.2 | Easiest |
| Wind Cave #281 | 1.3 | More Difficult |
| Pass Mountain Loop #282 | 6.9 | More Difficult |
| Butcher Jones #463 | 3.3 | More Difficult |
| Jojoba #511 | 1.2 | Easiest |
| Palo Verde #512 | 4.0 | Easiest |
PINAL MOUNTAINS back
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This area is one of the "Islands in the Sky." Around this "island" at
lower elevations are large areas of Interior Chaparral and Great Basin Montane
Scrubland. Above this type of zone is a Ponderosa Pine forest, with some Douglas-fir.
Gambel Oak and New-Mexican Locust are also common in some sites. A wide variety
of flowers can be found in the spring and summer.
The "island" begins at an elevation of 4,000 ft. and peaks out at 7,800 ft. Much of this area is snowed in during the winter, but it is very pleasant in the spring and fall (and it is also fine during the summer at its high elevations). During the "monsoon season" in July and August, severe thunderstorms occur, sometimes causing potentially dangerous flash-flooding. The following graphs will give an idea of long-term weather conditions:
5500 Ft. Elevation
The following trails are in or adjacent to the Pinal
Mountains Area:
| Name and Number | Length | Difficulty |
| Check Dam #190 | 2.1 | Easiest |
| Telephone #192 | 5.0 | MOST Difficult |
| Pineline #193 | 0.8 | Easiest |
| Bobtail #194 | 3.3 | MOST Difficult |
| Pioneer #196 | 2.3 | More Difficult |
| Sixshooter #197 | 6.0 | MOST Difficult |
| Icehouse #198 | 4.0 | MOST Difficult |
| Tollroad #200 | 4.3 | More Difficult |
| Una Del Oso #201 | 0.3 | Easiest |
| Middle #202 | 0.6 | Easiest |
| Ferndell #204 | 0.8 | Easiest |
| East Mountain #214 | 4.0 | More Difficult |
| Kellner #242 | 4.0 | More Difficult |
FOUR PEAKS WILDERNESS
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The Four Peaks Wilderness Area was established in 1984, and has an adequate
system of trails. While we do not wish to take away your wilderness discovery
and adventure, we do feel a brief commentary about each System Trail, as well
as a description of how to reach each trailhead are in order. Click
here for more information.
The following trails are in or adjacent to the Four Peaks Wilderness Area:
| Name & Number | Length | Difficulty Rating |
| Cane Spring Trail #77 | 2.3 miles | More Difficult |
| Alder Saddle Trail #81 | 0.5 miles | Easiest |
| Alder Trail #82 | 12.0 miles | MOST Difficult |
| Soldier Trail #82 | 8.0 miles | More Difficult |
| Lower Soldier Trail #84 | 2.0 miles | MOST Difficult |
| Oak Flat Trail #123 | 1.8 miles | More Difficult |
| Four Peaks Trail #130 | 10.0 miles | More Difficult |
| Chillicut Trail #132 | 2.0 miles | More Difficult |
| Brown's Trail #133 | 2.0 miles | More Difficult |
| Pigeon Trail #134 | 2.0 miles | Easiest |
HELL'S GATE WILDERNESS
AREA back
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The Hell's Gate Wilderness Area was established in 1984, and has a limited
system of trails. While we do not wish to take away your wilderness discovery
and adventure, we do feel a brief commentary about each System Trail, as well
as a description of how to reach each trailhead are in order. Click
here for more information.
The following trails are in or adjacent to the Hell's
Gate Wilderness Area:
| Name and Number | Length | Difficulty |
| Hell's Gate Trail #37 | 10.1 | MOST Difficult |
| Pocket Trail #38 | 4.0 | More Difficult |
| Bear Flat Trail #178 | 6.5 | More Difficult |
| Mescal Ridge Trail #186 | 3.1 | Easiest |
MAZATZAL WILDERNESS
AREA back
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The Mazatzal Wilderness Area was first established in 1940, and has an extensive
system of trails. While we do not wish to take away your wilderness discovery
and adventure, we do feel a brief commentary about each System Trail, as well
as a description of how to reach each trailhead are in order. Click
here for more information.
The following trails are in or adjacent to the Mazatzal
Wilderness Area:
| Name and Number | Length | Difficulty |
| Verde River Trail #11 | 27.6 | More Difficult |
| Saddle Ridge Trail #14 | 8.0 | Easiest |
| Deadman Mesa Trail #17 | 4.1 | MOST Difficult |
| Highwater Trail #20 | 4.4 | More Difficult |
| Dutchman Trail #22 | 10.1 | More Difficult |
| Mazatzal Trail #23 | 27.2 | More Difficult |
| North Peak Trail #24 | 3.5 | MOST Difficult |
| Deadman Trail #25 | 5.7 | MOST Difficult |
| Bull Springs Trail #34 | 6.5 | More Difficult |
| Rock Trail #42 | 3.7 | MOST Difficult |
| Barnhardt Trail #43 | 5.9 | More Difficult |
| Y Bay Trail #44 | 4.6 | More Difficult |
| Deer Trail #45 | 8.5 | More Difficult |
| South Fork Trail #46 | 7.5 | More Difficult |
| Gold Ridge Trail #47 | 4.6 | More Difficult |
| Davey Gowan Trail #48 | 1.5 | Easiest |
| Cornucopia Trail #86 | 3.5 | Easiest |
| Copper Camp Trail #87 | 7.0 | More Difficult |
| Sheep Creek Trail #88 | 2.5 | MOST Difficult |
| Davenport Trail #89 | 12.9 | More Difficult |
| Sears Trail #90 | 7.5 | More Difficult |
| Saddle Mountain Trail #91 | 4.5 | Easiest |
| Thicket Trail #95 | 2.0 | More Difficult |
| Willow Trail #223 | 16.2 | More Difficult |
| Willow Basin Trail #224 | 0.2 | More Difficult |
| Fisher Trail #230 | 3.3 | MOST Difficult |
| Sandy Saddle Trail #231 | 3.0 | More Difficult |
| Little Saddle Trail #244 | 3.5 | More Difficult |
| Brush Trail #249 | 4.2 | MOST Difficult |
| West Fork Trail #260 | 0.5 | More Difficult |
| Red Hills Trail #262 | 14.6 | MOST Difficult |
| Brody Trail #264 | 1.5 | More Difficult |
| West Bottom Trail #264 | 9.4 | More Difficult |
| Midnight Trail #272 | 2.2 | More Difficult |
| Lost Trail #279 | 0.1 | Easiest |
| Half Moon Trail #288 | 3.0 | Easiest |
SALOME WILDERNESS AREA back
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The Salome Wilderness Area was established in 1984, and has a limited system
of trails. While we do not wish to take away your wilderness discovery and
adventure, we do feel a brief commentary about each System Trail, as well as
a description of how to reach each trailhead are in order. Click
here for more information.
The following trails are in or adjacent to the Salome
Wilderness Area:
| Name and Number | Length | Difficulty |
| Jug Trail #61 | 3.0 | More Difficult |
| Boyer Trail #148 | 6.0 | More Difficult |
| Hell's Hole Trail #284 | 5.3 | MOST Difficult |
SIERRA ANCHA
WILDERNESS AREA back
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The Sierra Ancha Wilderness Area was established in 1964, and has a substantial
system of trails. While we do not wish to take away your wilderness discovery
and adventure, we do feel a brief commentary about each System Trail, as well
as a description of how to reach each trailhead are in order. Click
here for more information.
The following trails are in or adjacent to the Sierra
Ancha Wilderness Area:
| Name and Number | Length | Difficulty |
| Coon Trail #124 | 4.3 | More Difficult |
| Deep Trail #128 | 5.0 | Easiest |
| Grapevine Trail #135 | 5.0 | Easiest |
| Rim Trail #139 | 7.6 | Easiest |
| Moody Point Trail #140 | 8.6 | MOST Difficult |
| Murphy #141 | 1.5 | More Difficult |
| Center Mountain Trail #142 | 2.5 | More Difficult |
| Lucky Strike Trail #144 | 5.0 | More Difficult |
| Cienega Trail #145 | 3.3 | More Difficult |
| McFadden Horse Trail #146 | 3.3 | MOST Difficult |
| Reynolds Trail #150 | 3.7 | More Difficult |
| Abbey's Way #151 | 2.0 | More Difficult |
| Parker Trail #160 | 3.4 | More Difficult |
SUPERSTITION
WILDERNESS AREA back
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The Superstition Wilderness Area was established in 1939, and has a substantial
system of trails. While we do not wish to take away your wilderness discovery
and adventure, we do feel a brief commentary about each System Trail, as well
as a description of how to reach each trailhead are in order. Click
here for more information.
The following trails are in or adjacent to the Superstition
Wilderness Area:
| Name and Number | Length | Difficulty |
| Hieroglyphic Trail #101 | 1.1 | Easiest |
| Peralta Trail #102 | 6.2 | More Difficult |
| Boulder Trail #103 | 7.3 | More Difficult |
| Dutchman's Trail #104 | 18.2 | Easiest |
| Peter's Trail #105 | 7.0 | More Difficult |
| JF #106 | 10.2 | More Difficult |
| Red Tanks Trail #107 | 8.9 | More Difficult |
| Coffee Flat Trail #108 | 7.6 | More Difficult |
| Reavis Valley Trail #109 | 15.3 | Easiest |
| Rogers Canyon Trail #110 | 4.5 | More Difficult |
| Bacon Trail #111 | 4.0 | More Difficult |
| Frog Trail #112 | 6.8 | More Difficult |
| Woodbury Trail #114 | 2.0 | Easiest |
| Reavis Gap Trail #117 | 4.7 | More Difficult |
| Fireline Trail #118 | 3.6 | MOST Difficult |
| Two Bar Trail #119 | 8.3 | More Difficult |
| Tule Trail #122 | 4.5 | More Difficult |
| Bull Pass Trail #129 | 1.6 | More Difficult |
| Haunted Trail #203 | 7.8 | More Difficult |
| West Pinto Trail #212 | 9.0 | More Difficult |
| Terrapin Trail #234 | 2.9 | More Difficult |
| Bluff Springs Trail #235 | 3.4 | More Difficult |
| Second Water Trail #236 | 3.3 | Easiest |
| Whiskey Trail #238 | 2.1 | Easiest |
| Cavalry Trial #239 | 3.2 | More Difficult |
| Black Mesa Trail #241 | 3.0 | Easiest |
| Campaign Trail #256 | 8.1 | More Difficult |
| Bull Basin Trail #270 | 4.0 | More Difficult |
| Paradise Trail #271 | 2.5 | Easiest |
| Spencer Trail #275 | 4.6 | MOST Difficult |
| Cuff Bottom Trail #276 | 6.0 | More Difficult |
| Plow Saddle Trail #287 | 0.4 | More Difficult |
US Forest Service - Tonto National Forest
Last Modified:
Wednesday, 03 June 2009 at 16:10:40 EDT