big man tips

SHEEP CREEK POINT View from Sheep Creek Point. It has been argued that hiking isn�t always about the destination�it�s the journey that matters most. Still, objective-oriented hikes like those that culminate on mountain summits or in secluded, special places have their merits. A marsh along Merzville Road But, their wham-pow payoffs can eclipse what�s stuffed between the trailhead and the goalpost. Depending on your point-of-view, the stuffing can be viewed as either a means-to-an-end or the savory sweet filling between cookie wafers.   Western dayflowers bloom through September. When compared to interest-packed nearby Mogollon Rim trails, the �stuffing� on Merzville Road that runs between State Route 260 and Sheep Creek Point near Forest Lakes smacks of mediocrity. Its narrow, nondescript course is a mix of graded dirt and rutted, rocky passages. As a hiking route, the road has some obvious gigs. First, it�s open to motorized use and is used frequently by ATV and dirt bike riders. ...

LAND OF THE PIONEERS This box canyon is a highlight along the north leg of the trail. The bucolic pastures and quiet backwoods of Vernon, Arizona--population 122--is the last place you�d expect to be the scene of a vile triple homicide. It happened, though and the sad story is standard fare in local lore. Ruins of a pioneer homestead. Pioneers began settling the rural community in the eastern White Mountains in the 1890s, making a living on the surrounding lumber-rich forests.   The ruins of an infamous pioneer cabin. Legend has it that among the early pioneers were three women who lived in a log cabin just south of town. Section 31 Tank attracts swarms of dragonflies. Back-fence chatter about the women hiding a large amount of money on their property eventually reached the ears of criminals.   The women were murdered and their homestead ransacked. No riches were found.   Today, all that remains of the tragic scene are crumbling stone foundations and piles of rusty-nail p...

Ghost of the Coyote Trail #641 Much of the Ghost of the Coyote trail follows old roads One of the coolest trail names in Arizona teases of a place steeped in magic and mystery, but the reality of the subject path is decidedly earthy.   Ghost of the Coyote Trail sounds like the kind of name a bunch of weary ranchers would come up with while sharing stale campfire coffee, a flask of booze and a pot of beans. The experience of hiking the trail aligns with this vision.  White Mountains vista can be had on the trail highpoints With its imagination-seizing moniker, the 13-mile, double loop trail located just a mile north of State Route 260 in the town of Linden,  drips with cowboy culture in a classic rangeland setting.   Open range on the long loop The 2002 Rodeo-Chediski Fire (the second largest blaze in Arizona history), stripped many of the big trees along the route, leaving precious little shade. The land is recovering nicely and most of the charred trees have been ha...

THOMPSON TRAIL #629 Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest Parts of Thompson Trail survived the Wallow Fire Trails with good bones have a way of reinventing themselves after a major wildfire. When the 2011 Wallow Fire---the largest in Arizona history-- roared through the woodlands around Mount Baldy and Big Lake, the nearby Thompson Trail #629 suffered heavy damage that will change is character as it recovers. Because of its good bones, the classic White Mountains route that follows the West Fork of the Black River still embodies everything great about high country trails�a creek with native fish, moss-laced trees, clump grass meadows and shadowy forests teeming with wildlife. West Fork of the Black River flows along the trail But the blaze altered its feel. The fire impacted the trail in patchwork style leaving some sections intact and others charred beyond recognition. The most noticeable change is the loss of shade-casting fir and spruce trees that had covered the canyon walls surroundin...

EAST FORK TRAIL #95 Pasture at the base of Mount Baldy If you drive down State Route 373/Main Street, through the town of Greer to near road's end, you'll find yourself at the banks of the West Fork of the Little Colorado River and the trailhead for the East Fork Trail #95. Yup, the East Fork Trail begins at the West Fork and this woodsy stream side spot is the most popular place to begin the hike that rambles through alpine meadows sprawled out between two creeks that originate on the slopes of Mount Baldy. Although the drive through town is scenic, it's often crowded and parking can sometimes be a challenge. Couple that with the fact that accessing trail #95 here requires an immediate creek crossing that might cause unprepared hikers to turn back before even starting. Mooooont Baldy cows.  There's a work around, though. If you start the hike from the Gabaldon Horse Campground at the edge of Mount Baldy Wilderness, you'll avoid the traffic and parking headaches. Ea...

MEADOW TRAIL # 505 Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest A pond on the Meadow Trail Taking a walk in the forest shouldn't be limited to the young and fleet of foot. High on the edge of the Mogollon Rim north of Payson, two paved trails combine for more than 5 miles of barrier free exploring. Both are suitable for wheelchairs, strollers and walkers so everybody can wander under the pines regardless of their mobility issues. Well known Rim Vista Trail #622 traces limestone escarpments overlooking rambling valleys of coniferous forests and distant mountain vistas. This popular route can be accessed from any of the viewpoint parking lots located along the first three miles of Forest Road 300. Meadow Trail #505 intersects Rim Vista at the Woods Canyon Vista trailhead and offers a less crowded option. Located within Woods Canyon Lake Recreation Area, Trail #505 parallels the busy access road, passing several campgrounds on its way to the lake. The well-signed route encompasses pine-oak wood...