Read an Excerpt
PASSAGE 24: Red Hills
Location: The Park to East Verde River
Distance: 14 miles one-way
Day-Trip Option: See turnaround note in the trail description.
Shuttle Recommendation: Not applicable
Difficulty: Moderate
Land Manager: Tonto National Forest, Payson Ranger District, www.fs.usda.gov/tonto, 928-474-7936
Recommended Months: March–November
Gateway Community: See Payson (page 325).
Geology Highlights: See “Amazing Mazatzals” (page 342).
OVERVIEW
The longest stretch of the Arizona National Scenic Trail (AZT) that is entirely within designated wilderness areas continues as the trail bends even deeper into this pristine, remote landscape. Thru-hikers will lose much of the elevation they gained over the previous few passages as the trail drops into the valley of the East Verde River. The elevation ranges from 6,284 feet on Knob Mountain to 3,277 feet at the passage’s terminus near the river.
This elevation change offers the opportunity to see a variety of Arizona’s biotic communities, from majestic stands of ponderosa pines to a lush riparian zone whose denizens include turtles and rare birds. Because the flora is so thick in places that it obscures the trail, you’ll want to wear protective clothing.
On the Trail
Starting from The Park at the junction with the North Peak Trail (Trail 24), head north on the Mazatzal Divide Trail (Trail 23), the route of the AZT. You soon bend northwest and climb to 6,170 feet, descend to cross two tributary canyons of City Creek, and then turn back to the northeast and climb again. From a high point on indistinct Knob Mountain (6,284 feet), you can look northeast for a clear view of the Mogollon Rim, the geographical dividing line between Arizona’s lower-elevation southern half and the cooler, higher elevations to the north. Thru-hikers will climb onto the rim within a few days.
Soon you will reach an important trail intersection—where the AZT departs from the Mazatzal Divide Trail (Trail 23). The AZT goes left (west) on a combination of trails: Red Hills Trail (Trail 262), Brush Trail (Trail 249), and Bull Spring Trail (Trail 34). And the Mazatzal Divide Trail (Trail 23) makes a hard right turn and heads northeast down to the City Creek Trailhead. Continuing on the AZT and a few quick switchbacks, the trail turns left at a cairn-marked junction, descends to the west along a small drainage, and passes through an idyllic pine forest. In springtime, water is often present here. In a confluence of drainages, follow large cairns as the trail turns left, makes a few steep climbs to the southwest, and then levels just before a trail intersection.
TURNAROUND NOTE: Day-hikers should consider this their turnaround spot (5.5 miles from the start of the passage).
To continue, stay right (west) onto the Brush Trail. As the trail descends to the west and northwest, it then turns northeast along a drainage with nice views of the East Verde River Valley. The trail drops sharply on a rocky, red path. Thick vegetation occasionally obscures the trail, but cairns show the way.
The trail reaches a sign for the usually dry Brush Spring, which is about 50 yards to the northwest. There is a slightly overused place to camp here, the last site for 5 miles. From this sign, the trail bends right (east) to go upstream along an adjoining drainage. In 0.1 mile, the AZT climbs northwest out of the drainage and follows switchbacks along a swath cut through thick vegetation to reach the top of a steep hill.
A brief descent leads through heavy brush as it crosses a fence in a saddle and climbs north 0.1 mile to an important but obscure trail junction. Make a sharp left (southwest) and climb a bit more. After wrapping around to the right, you top out in a saddle before beginning a steep descent, from which you can see the East Verde River in the valley bottom. You’re now on the grounds of the historic LF Ranch, an active ranch with hiker-friendly facilities, including a bunkhouse and shower.
To exit the wilderness and AZT for the nearest road access, take the road 3.8 miles to the east to the Doll Baby Trailhead. If you’re a long-distance trail traveler and you plan to continue along the AZT, head northeast on this road, walk 70 yards, and look for a sign on the right indicating the next passage of the AZT. The East Verde River awaits you and your water bottles.
MOUNTAIN BIKE NOTES
Bikes are prohibited on this passage, which lies entirely within the Mazatzal Wilderness. For detailed information about scenic mountain biking routes around wilderness areas, visit aztrail.org.
Southern Access: The Park
Note: The Park is at the junction of Mazatzal Divide Trail (Trail 23) and North Peak Trail (Trail 24) via Mineral Creek Trailhead. From Payson on AZ 87 drive west on Main Street. Stay on the main road past a golf course, where the pavement ends and the road becomes FR 406. About 5.2 miles from AZ 87, turn left on FR 414 and continue another 5.2 miles. Turn right and continue 0.2 mile to a three-way fork in the road. Turn left and go about 100 feet to Mineral Creek Trailhead. Hike along the North Peak Trail for 4 miles to reach the AZT with 2,500 feet of elevation gain to reach The Park.
Northern Access: East Verde River (LF Ranch) via Doll Baby Trailhead
If you want to hit the trail from here, please follow the trail description in reverse order. From the town of Payson, at the intersection of AZ 87 and Main Street, take Main Street west for 2 miles, which turns into Country Club Drive. Near the end of Country Club Drive, the road passes a sanitation plant, crosses a creek, and continues another 6 miles on a newly paved road, referred to as Doll Baby Ranch Road or LF Ranch Road depending on which map you’re using. At this point the road becomes a dirt doubletrack (FR 406). Continue on FR 406 for approximately 3 miles, passing the City Creek Trailhead and Doll Baby Ranch, eventually arriving at the locked gate that marks the Doll Baby Trailhead, where parking and camping are allowed. From the trailhead, walk around the gate and hike on the doubletrack for 3.9 miles. The road winds around the hills and eventually levels out in the valley near the ranch. The AZT intersects the road from the west as a faint singletrack.
