The Arizona White Mountains are located in Central-Eastern Arizona near the New Mexico boarder. The elevations range from about 6,000' to over 11,000'.
Topographical Trail Maps and Overviews courtesy
of
USDA Forest Service,
Lakeside and Springerville Ranger Districts, Apache-Sitgreaves
National Forests
Other Descriptions Courtesy of White Mountains
Online.
Look for the "
" for
the best Mountain Bike information!
Contact the Lakeside Ranger District (520-368-5111) or the Springerville Ranger District (520-333-4372), for the latest information on local trail conditions. The snow level in Arizona can get down to the 2000' level (about Tucson elevation), so calling ahead may save you a trip. The best riding conditions usually runs from about the end of February to mid-December.
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The White Mountains TrailSystem (WMTS) currently contains over 180 miles of developed trails. More are under construction or are planned.
The TrailSystem contains many named trails as
well as unnamed connections between trails. All trails are marked
with blue diamonds 
nailed
to trees and posts. Sometimes, the diamonds have the trail number
on them, sometimes the TrailSystem logo, most times just blue.
Yellow dots 
indicate a short route back to the
trailhead. Green dots 
indicate a connector
trail to another WMTS loop. Red dots 
indicate
a vista trail, usually dead-end. Trail maps can be bought at the
Lakeside Ranger Station (520-368-5111), Springerville Ranger
District (520-333-4372), or the Pinetop/Lakeside Chamber of Commerce (520-367-4290). Many times the marked trails are not on
the maps, especially the Red, Green, or Yellow dot trails.
Most trails are 8 to 16 miles in length, some longer, some shorter. There are many marked options for making a trail longer, shorter, or bypassing some of the tricky stuff. Keep in mind that all trails are connected either by connector trails or forest roads, so the entire 200 miles can be done without interruption.
The trails are multiple-use trials, so watch out for hikers and equestrians. This is a remote area, so usage is still very low.
There are many good campgrounds in the area. A good one to try is Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area. It is geared more for motorhomes and trailers, but there is a tent camping area, and the hot showers are great after a long day of biking! It is located just outside of Show Low on AZ 260.
There are still several miles of "untamed" single-track. However, by the time you ride a trail on any particular day, it may have had some first-class trail maintenance. I think most people will enjoy the groomed trails better. Sometimes, I prefer the "pioneer spirit", and just like to challenge myself on nature's pavement.
A word of caution: Beware
of the effects of rain on the trials! While most trails can be
ridden regardless of weather conditions, some trails are
especially prone to "mud packing". If the trails have
been dry for a while and there is enough rain to soak the top
inch or so of soil, some sections of the trails peel up as you
attempt to ride them. This is the stuff adobe is made from, so
don't think you can muscle through it! The bike will weigh about
triple (only double if you are riding a "freeride"
anchor), your shoes will pack up, and you will 1) curse the day
you were born, or 2) curse me for not warning you. Consider this
your warning!
Personal experience tells me that Panorama and Buena
Vista are the worst, but some sections of other trails could
also be "fun".
The WMTS has come up with a rating system, but I'm not sure how it works. A trail may be rated "difficult" on one map and "moderate" on another. I've listed their latest published rating with the trail descriptions. The best part is, there are no "easy" trails in the system!
To give another point of view, I came up with
my own rating system. This rating try's to combine the trail type
with the "fun factor". However, each trail has its own
merits. A trail may only rate a 
, but be a very fun trail to
ride. Here are the trail rating categories:
Smooth-surface, tailpipe-sucking,
blacktop road that's necessary to get to a trail. Yuck.
Flat
or gently rolling gravel road (I rate this only if it takes me
somewhere better!)
Good
rolling back roads (there are lots in the area)
Good combo of trails and back roads or mostly easy
single track
Very
good trails, some technical (a good rocky section maybe)
Excellent technical twisty single track (we're
getting there!)
Excellent fast hillclimbing downhill twisty single
track (Nirvana!)
To ride it
again, 1) it gets some maintenance or re-routing, 2) it would be
the last trail open to mountain bikes, or 3) I get my
well-deserved lobotomy.
NR-Not
Rated (yet).
Damaged by the Rodeo-Chediski
fire of June, 2002. As most of the damaged trails were still
closed as of this update, I have no idea how bad the damage is.
Driving through the area is a very sobering experience indeed.
Nearly 500 structures (mostly homes) lost and almost 1/2 million
acres of what was billed as the largest Ponderosa forest in the
world is gone. However, the impact to the trail system was
confined to the eastern-most end. The majority of the trails (and
forest) is intact.
There are ususally four additional selections.
[topo map] - if a good-quality topo map is available, I make them available to you. These maps have been reprinted with permission from the US Forest Service. Sometimes I'll mark them with trail information, such as
for single track sections and
if there is extended double track.
[overview] - sometimes a trail overview is provided by the US Forest Service. Again, reprinted with permission from the US Forest Service.
[other description] - White Mountains Online provides detailed descriptions and maps. These are not necessarily from a mountain biker's point of view.
[other review] - other review of the trail. Reviews are provided courtesy of Chris Tippie (tippie@whitemtns.com) of Pinetop, AZ.
Please use caution - "difficult" trails typically require advanced riding skills. I don't consider myself "advanced", but I do get feedback from some who had bad expreiences on trails I consider "moderate". KNOW YOUR ABILITIES BEFORE HEADING OUT! If you have extra time and you aren't sure what to expect, try Springs for your technical and Pat Mullen for your lungs. Both contain a (very) little bit of what you can expect, both are very popular (so help's not far away), and both can be riden from the same trailhead.
REVIEWED TRAILS (been there, done that)
DISCLAIMER: The Topographical Maps and Overviews may show trailheads that differ from my descriptions. This shows the evolutionary nature of the trail network. My descriptions are generally more accurate. Also, some trail routing may have changed since the maps were published. While the official forestry maps are redrawn often, there has been rework of some of the trails to make them more accessible and to route them around difficult or eroded areas. I have taken care to faithfully redraw the maps where I know significant changes have taken place. However (here comes the disclaimer part), since the Forest Service is continually upgrading the trails, there may be a change or two I haven't found out about yet.
4 Springs Trail
#629A [topo map] [overview] [other
description] [other review] - WMTS Rating Difficult
- . This is a new (summer of 1998) 8.5-mile connector
trail between Los Burros Trail and Land
of the Pioneers Trail. The Forest
Service describes this trail as "extremely steep" and
"very cool" (straight from the trail-builders mouths).
I'd agree. The part by Lake Mountain is very steep and loose.
Some of the climb is hike-a-bike. Unfortunately, it is difficult
to descend without some skidding. The top of Lake Mountain gives
awsome views of the White Mountains. The lake at the top of Lake
Mountain is "ephemeral", meaning it only has water from
snow melt or heavy monsoon rains. There is a fire tower at the
top of the mountain that is open to the public in June and July.
On the "back side" of Lake Mountain (after the "extremely steep" section), the trail follows a old two track that is very smooth and has many big air possibilities. There are several "bowels" (purpose unknown) that can be ridden 360 degrees. Too bad it's less than a mile long.
The section from Lake Mountain and Land of the Pioneers Trail is a mix of very nice single-track and two-track. There are four springs along the way, but I only saw two, and only one had any water. Also, there is Hidden Lake, which much like the lake on top of Lake Mountain - mostly dry.
Elevation varies from 7500' to 8500', and most of that is done at Lake Mountain. This is 1) a 17-mile out-and-back, 2) a 23-mile out-and-forest-road-back, 3) a two-vehicle affair.
There are several options for access to the trail.
A good option is to ride the road to the top of Lake Mountain (take in the view from the fire tower when you are there) and ride the single track back down. There are at least two very fun options - hang a right at the junction and head back to the main Los Burros Trail, or head left and continue down the main 4 Springs trail. If you don't want go all of the way to the Land of the Pioneers Trail, then when the big-air section (see above) crosses a graded forest road, head right to bring you back to the main trail. This loop is about five miles (a guess), but is very fun. The right-hand loop is shorter (about a mile down), but the key word here is "down". Very cool. Of course, this loop can be mixed-and-matched with other Los Burros Trail options to make a day of it.
Don't confuse this with the Springs Trail (no "4").
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Blue Ridge Trail
#107 [topo map*] [ overview*] [other
description*] [other review] -WMTS
Rating Difficult -
and- If you are looking for a forested trail with great
views, sweet single-track, and that can be rocky and technically
challenging in places, this is the trail. There are many options
that you can take for different adventures, like the Ice Cave
Trail (formerly the Blueridge Cave
Trail), or cross over Billy Creek to hit the gentler trails below
the mountain in the Billy Creek Trailspark. There is a connector trail to Springs Trail and the trails beyond. Mileage can vary, depending on
the side trips, but the main loop is about 9 miles (it went up
with the recent trail re-routing). Elevation varies from just
below 7000' to 7656'.
As with most trails in the area, there is no drinking water, so bring your own. Billy Creek usually has water, but it is recommended for horses only.
This trail was the first one built in the
system. In the past, it has been somewhat "maintenance
challenged". The Forest Service and TRACKS (the local trail
volunteer force) have been rebuilding and rerouting major
sections of this trail. However, Mother Nature has been doing her
best to undo what man (in the generic sense) has tried to do. In
fact, parts of the trail are getting dangerously close to the
dreaded "" rating!
The East side from near the top to FR 187 is mostly old two-track. The west side (to Ice Cave Trail), south side (to Springs Trail), and North side (to top of Blue Ridge) are all single-track in fair to good shape, with some larger rocks making the trail challenging, even going downhill. The "lower" trail (south side) between Trailhead #1 and Trailhead #2 is what gets the 2 1/2 bike rating. The upper (north) side barely musters 2 bikes.
On top of Blue Ridge there are some old Jeep trails that lead over to Porter Mountain and allow access to Timber Mesa Trail and Panorama Trail. The Jeep trails are very rocky. These are not part of the WMTS, so there are no markers.
There are three trailheads:
As you can see, access to the trailheads can be a little tricky, so stop in for directions.
* This trail is currently being rerouted in
several places (as of Fall 2001). The maps reflect the trail
location at the beginning of 1999.
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Buena Vista Trail
#637 [topo map] [overview] [other description]
[other review] - WMTS Rating Moderate - - This
is a fine ride just south of Show Low. The trail is about 9 miles
long (10.5 with the connector to the parking lot) and follows
single track trail and old roads as it winds its way through the
oak, pine, and manzanita. There are great views of the
surrounding mountains, including Mt. Baldy. Going clockwise,
there is a good technical climb (one of 7) to get the blood
going, then it's off to the races! Actually, that's a true
statement. Several of the locals hold their own race venue on
this trail (when the Forest Service isn't looking). The hard-core
types like the single-speed race, where they block out the
derailleurs to allow only one speed. These guys are nuts!
There are some excellent single-track sections on this trail. There are several rolling water bars on the old road sections that make big air possible. Check your landings, though! In 1995 I broke a rib on a not-to-graceful approach back to earth. Just remember, a cross-up is best done while still in the air!
There are several side trips that can be a lot of fun. There are some very good trials trails (say that three times fast). These trails aren't marked, but as long as you stay within the main loop you can't get lost.
The access is from the junction of AZ 260/US 60, go west on US 60. Just after milepost 337, you'll see a sign "Entering the White Mountain Apache Reservation". Turn left before the sign on Forest Road 300 (Rim Road). The trailhead is on the left.
One word of caution. While all of the trails
can be affected by wet weather, this one has got to be the worst!
There are many clay sections that can make riding impossible when
the conditions are right (or wrong, depending on your point of
view).
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Country Club
Trail #632 [topo map] [ overview] [other
description] [other
review] - WMTS Rating Moderate
- - This is another nearby trail that is the
easiest in the system. It has some good (but short) technical
sections, but nothing that can't be ridden fast. A good side trip
is the climb up Pat Mullen Mountain, roughly a 300' climb in a
little over a quarter-mile. There are some good switchbacks to
practice your sharp turns at speed! (going down if you are like
me, going up if you are a bike stud(ette)!). The views at the top
are mostly obscured by trees.
The only thing wrong with this trail is the length - at just over four miles (just under five with the round-trip to the top of Pat Mullen), it is a bit short. This is a "twice-'round with a climb on the side"! Connector trails head east to Los Burros Trail (#631A) and south to Springs Trail .
To access the trailhead, drive south on Hwy 260
towards McNary. Turn left on Bucksprings Road (just outside of
Pinetop). At 0.6 miles, turn left on FR 182 (Sky High Rd).
Another 2.0 miles brings you to the junction of FR 182 and FR
185. The trailhead is about 100 yards down FR 185.
Back
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Country
Club/Los Burros Connector Trail #631A
[topo
map] [overview]
[other description]
[other review] - WMTS Rating Moderate - - This
trail connects the Country Club Trail #632 to the
Los
Burros Trail #631. The trail winds 7.2
miles on old road and quad track, through thick stands of pine
forest. It's not too rocky, and like the Los Burros Trail, is
petty much isolated from civilization.
The trail is really very easy, except maybe for the 600'+ of elevation change. There is only one somewhat rocky assent, but overall the quads keep the trail rideable. It is not used much, so you probably won't see too many bike tracks, except at Tour time.
To access the connector from the Country Club side, from the trailhead head east on the trail about two miles. At about the one mile mark, you'll cross the Springs/Country Club Connector Trail #632A. The sign says "Los Burros 7". About 3/4 of a mile later, at the Country Club/Los Burros junction, you'll see a sign that says "Los Burros 7". From there you can really expect a little over 7 miles.
The trail junction is about two miles west of
Los Burros Campground at the southwest corner of Reservation
Flats.
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General
Crook Connector Trail #140 [topo
map] [other description]
- WMTS Rating Moderate
-
- General Crook was a famous (or infamous, depending on
your point of view) general during the 1870s. He had a trail
built from Fort Whipple, through Fort Apache (yes, it's real and
exists today), over the Mogollon Rim and down to Camp Verde.
The planned trail is 138 miles in length. Most of the trail is well marked, but sections through Show Low over to Fort Apache are incomplete.
I tried the connector from the trailhead at the Lewis Group Campground on the Juniper Ridge Trail. The first 2 miles were a slight up-hill two track (VERY fun coming back). Then things start to get interesting. The next two miles started out as somewhat rocky single track and ended out as very rocky, deadfall-clogged burn area (Pinedale Burn circa 1997). As far as we could tell, the trail ended at a brand-new fence line (apparently across the trail). No markers. No sign of recent usage. It's obvious the Forest Service hasn't ventured into these parts for a while.
As we were walking our bikes over the deadfall, one of the riders commented "here I am walking my bike on a trail I wouldn't even walk my dog!"
Use at your own discretion.
This trail sustained substantial Rodeo-Chediski fire damage.
Ghost of
the Coyote Trail #641 [ topo map (see note below)] [ overview] [other description]
[other review] - WMTS Rating Difficult -- This currently is the eastern-most trail of the
system. It is relatively flat and winds about 13 miles along old
logging roads and single-track through pine, meadow, and juniper.
There is one area of short climbs at the start (assuming you are
going clockwise), and the rest is mostly easy going. There are
fine views of the White Mountains, including Mt. Baldy. Elevation
ranges from about 6250' to 6650'.
The WMTS map claims this is a 16-mile loop, but I have no idea how they measured this. Several independent assessments of the distance agree that it is somewhere between 13 and 14 miles long.
Depending on conditions, this trail can be somewhat sandy. If the ground is damp, the sand is packed and is quite fast. If there has been a dry spell and the trail gets used a lot, the sand can be "fun" (another word for "work"), although not nearly as bad as Los Caballos. Also, this trail is much flatter than Juniper Ridge, though the terrain is very similar. The back half (again assuming clockwise) is almost exclusively two-track and is very easy.
Keep in mind that this trail is the lowest elevation trail (overall), is very open (hence the views), and fairly long (for beginners). This is a great trail for Fall, Winter, or Spring riding, but can be very hot in the Summer due to the lack of cover. Also, as with nearly all trails in the system, there is no drinking water along the route so be prepared.
This trail is accessed off of Burton Road (FR 134) about 7 1/2 miles east of town on Highway 260. Turn north and the trailhead is 1.1 miles ahead on the left.
Note about the topo map: The map is courtesy of the Forest Service, and they did a fine job. However, be aware that the trail is shown shifted slightly to the left. This is a printing error, the trails do indeed overlay the roads. Making this mental adjustment will give you a good idea of how much of this trail is two-track.
This trail sustained some Rodeo-Chediski fire
damage.
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Ice Cave Trail
#608 (formerly Blue Ridge Cave
Trail) [topo map] [overview] [other description]-
WMTS Rating Difficult -- This
trail is accessed off the Blue Ridge Trail about one-half mile or so north of Trailhead #1. It
descends about 3.5 miles past Scott Reservoir and on to Porter
Mountain Road, about a mile from the Timber Mesa
Trail. It has been very rocky in spots,
but periodic trail maintenance has made the trail much better.
Still, a good summer rainstorm can undo many hours of trail
maintenance! One part of the trail goes through a seasonal bog,
so it can get interesting in very wet years (haven't seen many of
those lately).
The cave is really a lava tube. There isn't any ice in there, but the air leaving the cave is quite cool at about 52 degrees.
The Forest Service rerouted the trail in an attempt to reduce some of the traffic to the cave. There is a rock cairn at the trail junction on the uphill side of the cave about 1.5 miles from the Blue Ridge/Ice Cave junction. The last time I rode this trail, some idiot had blocked the main trail in an attempt to make the cave easier to find. After cleaning up the main trail, I made sure the side trail was visible, but by no means could be mistaken as the main trail. Let's not give the Forest Service an excuse to close the trail completely!
When you get to Scott Reservoir, you will come to a "T". The marked trail goes left. An unmarked trail goes right. Go straight and get wet. It is worth the short side trip to the right. That trail takes you through the trees to the end of the lake. When the water is high, it is a very nice side ride.
This trail makes an excellent out-and-back from
the Blue
Ridge Trail to Scott Reservoir. It's
less than 2.5 miles to the reservoir and about 450' of elevation
change.
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Juniper Ridge
Trail #640 [topo map] [overview] [other
description] [other review] -
WMTS Rating Difficult - - This is another excellent hard-pack trail.
There are 7.2 and 14+ mile options. (I measure 8 and 16, but that
may be because of the side trips). The trail winds through pine
and junipers and offers some great views, especially at the
Juniper Ridge Lookout. The trailhead can be accessed by heading
east on HWY 260 out of Show Low. Go past Burton Road (see Ghost
of the Coyote trail) and look for Old HWY 160 to the left. Go
down this road a couple of miles to a small parking area and
sign-in station on the right.
For the short loop, I recommend starting to the
left (clockwise). After about two to three miles, keep your eye
out for the shortcut trail (yellow dots) to the right. This will take you up the hill
another two miles to the loop back. There is a good steep
downhill stretch with a great drop-off over a log and then about
five miles of single- and two-track back to the trailhead.
To take the longer loop, either way is OK. Just be sure to take time to climb to the top of Juniper Ridge Lookout (6898'). Every time I take this trail it kicks my butt. Maybe I expect more from the lower elevations, maybe I'm really a wimp. Whatever.
For the self-contained crowd, there is a good campground just off the trail. Lewis Canyon Campground can be accessed off of Old HWY 160 on FR 130. Turn south and go about a mile to the campground (no water). The elevation is 6300', so it can be a little warm in the summer. At the campground is access to the General Crook Trail. I don't know much about this trail, so if you try it let me know.
In the early summer of 1996, a major fire occurred in the hills behind Pinedale. While no fire damage can be observed from the trail, several previously prime single-track sections have been transformed into make-shift fire roads. While the overall mileage is the same, some of the best parts are recovering from the damage the fire-fighting equipment did to the trail. The roads have been re-seeded, but it will take time to restore the single-track feeling of that part the trail.
This trail sustained substantial Rodeo-Chediski
fire damage.
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Land
of the Pioneers Trail #629 [topo map] [overview] [other
description] [other review] -
WMTS Rating Difficult - - This
one was a little disappointing. 2001 saw some single-track
building which made it better, but still too much two-track for
my tastes. The 600' climb gives a good work-out.
The trailhead can be reached by following the directions to Los Burros Trail but continue on for about another five miles. Watch for FR 5 to the left. The trailhead is about .6 mile down FR 5. The forest service maps take you WAY out of the way on their directions, but you'll get there either way. When you are at the parking area, look at the sign and maps posted by the Forest Service. Then look BEHIND you to see the marked but not mapped single track. Way better than the mapped trail!
Here is my personal preferance for this trail,
but feel free to follow the Forest Service maps. Take the single
track behind the parking area to the first connector trail
(yellow dot ) that used to be the main trail. Keep going
straight. A short ways up the rocky hill will be another
connector that
is a two-track back to the other good single track. Follow this
highway (might as well drive this) to the junction with the main
trial on the north side of Ecks. Decision time - turn left to
take a climb to the top of Ecks (look for the red dot spur ), or turn right
to do some sweet single track. At the next trail connector , take the
short way back to the single track you came in on. Make a left at
the main trail and back to the parking lot. Depending on if you
climb Ecks, it should be about 10 to 14 miles.
There is a new connector to Los Burros Trail,
the 4
Springs Trail at the bottom
of the steep backside dropoff two-track from Ecks. This connector
is just a short distance from the second connector trail on your
way up. All connectors and side trails are well-signed.
Just off the bottom of the north single track
is an old log cabin homestead. It's interesting to take the time
to imagine what life must have been like in those days. These
ruins give the name to the trail.
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Los Burros Trail
#631 [topo map] [overview] [other
description] [other review] -
WMTS Rating Moderate - - This is the best trail in the system. The trail
winds 14 miles on old road and single track, through thick stands
of pine and aspen forest. It's not too rocky, and is petty much
isolated from civilization. If you have the juice to make it to
the top, a side trip to Lake Mountain Lookout (8501') is worth
it. The Country
Club/Los Burros Connector #631A heads
west to Country Club Trail #632 and a
new trial, the 4 Spring Trail #629A will
bring you to the Land of the Pioneers Trail.
This trail has some moderate climbs. The elevation ranges from about 7850' to 8300', so bring your lungs! If you are at least moderately skilled and in reasonable shape, the trail can be done non-stop if you are in the mood for a good workout. However, the this is probably the best wooded area in the mountains and it's a shame to miss it all!
The more I ride this trail, the more I like it. It is my favorite trail in the system (but not necessarily the area). It is fast, plenty of climbs (and lots of downhills to match), and offers relief from the heat. The trail starts from the campground and joins with a power line. For the fastest action, turn RIGHT (counter-clockwise) at the power line and let 'er rip! Remember the IMBA Rules of the Trail, but have fun anyway!
The Tour of the White Mountains uses this trail as the back end of the 50 mile single track tour.
To access this trail, head east on Highway 260 to McNary, then north on the Vernon Road (FR 224) about 7.5 miles to the Los Burros Campground (added bonus!). The trailhead is at the far end of the campground. This campground is at 7900' so it is pretty nice, no, make that great during the summer. There is spring water at the campground, but it needs to be treated.
Over various rides I saw many elk, wild turkey, dear, and a mother bear and her cub. I usually stop for a short while and admire the wildlife, but the bear thing required a considerably longer break! She just stood in the trail about 100 yards ahead. After her cub was gone from sight, she decided to take a slow walk after it. We waited until we could no longer hear her crashing through the woods. We figured she was a) bored with us and left, or b) preparing to fix dinner... us! I've read where bears can run up to 25 mph, and I have a tough time doing that on single track unless it's pointed downish. Turned out she must have been bored with us. Either that or full. The forest rangers ended up trapping a bear nearby that was raiding the campground trash. Maybe the same one. Maybe not.
In the summer of 1999, a new shorter loop was
created. From the junction at the start of the loop (at the gate
under the power lines), the main trail goes either right or left.
Straight ahead lies the new, well groomed loop connector. This
trail has one killer uphill, so it is better to ride it down. The
connection to the back side of Los Burros is at a hard right turn
(or hard left if going clockwise) at about the six-mile mark (or
eight if cw). Keep your eye out for the shortcut markers (yellow
dots ) on the outside of the turn. The ccw loop offers a
roughly eight mile option of excellent single track that is almost
"easy". A great ride is to do the main loop then
once more up the hill to ride the connector down - about 21 miles
in all.
NOTE: The winter of '97-'98 was
very hard on this trail. There are many downfalls and at least
one section of the trail experienced a major
rockslide (photo) that took down car-sized boulders and
several trees. The forest service has done a great job of
cleaning up the trail. After several attempts, they finally
removed the main Volkswagen, er, rock from the trail.
Back
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Los
Caballos Trail #638 [topo map] [overview] [other
description] [other review] -
WMTS Rating Difficult - - "Los Caballos" (ca.ba.yos) roughly
translated means "The Horsepower" trail. No kidding!
This is a real "pedalers" trail - you need to pedal
uphill and downhill! One way to describe this is soft. I
mean really soft. Like being at the beach soft. Not the whole
trail, just the vast majority of it! Even though the trail is
described as "relatively flat", the soft stuff makes it
seem mostly uphill.
Officially, this is a 14-mile loop trail. It is really much closer to 16 - even if you don't take any side ventures.
If you really feel the need for a good workout,
this trail will do it. There are some steep climbs, especially if
you travel counter-clockwise. There is one side trail (marked
with the Red dots ) that leads to some great vistas.
However, much like finding the FR 136, this is a challenge to
find. The best way to describe it is at about the 5.5-mile mark
(counter-clockwise), look for a rather large fallen tree and a
trail marker (no Red dot) on a tree to the immediate left. This
isn't the main trail, it's the side trail to the vistas. It's
worth the quarter-mile (one-way) trip.
There is a connector trail (Green dots )
at the half-way point that goes to Juniper Ridge
Trail. Be careful not to venture off
the main trail. The connector doesn't show up on any map that I
have seen, and I'm not sure of its condition. If you do take it,
let me know! The junction is marked with "638" on the
trail markers that matter, so you shouldn't get lost.
This trail isn't really my "cup of tea". Much like the Land of the Pioneers Trail, there is way too much two-track. Most of the trail follows old logging roads. The Forest Service was stingy with the trail markers, so be aware for sharp turns off of the road you are on. One thing to keep in mind - if you are having way too much fun on a downhill section, you probably either a) missed the turnoff, or b) are about to.
To get there is another trick. About 3 miles west on AZ 260 from Show Low, turn left on FR 136. The trailhead as about .6 miles on the right. Where is FR 136, you ask? Good question. There are no signs on AZ 260, and you need to travel a bit on FR 136 before you get confirmation you made the right guess. At the Show Low / Linden border, at the top of a short hill, there is a side road cut into the hill. That is FR 136. If you see the Linden sign (traveling West, pranksters often make the sign read "Lin en"), you've gone too far. If you get to the multi-lane part of the road (going East), you've gone too far. You get the picture.
This trail sustained substantial Rodeo-Chediski
fire damage.
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Panorama Trail
#635 (formerly Porter Mountain
Trail) [topo map] [overview] [other description]
[other review]- WMTS Rating Moderate - - This
is an easy to moderate eight-mile loop through Juniper, Oak, and
Pine. There is an abundance of wild Turkey, Elk, and Antelope. On
a clear (I mean really clear) day, the San Francisco Peaks
near Flagstaff (yes, the Flagstaff in central Arizona) can be
seen. The trail passes through a portion of the Woolhouse
Wildlife Habitat Area (maybe that explains the abundance of
wildlife?).
The trail is mostly well-maintained single track with a short section of two-track. There are excellent views (photo) off of the Twin Knolls, thanks to a man-caused fire 20 years ago. The elevation is from 6700' to a little over 7100', and the climbs are mild. No hike-a-bike on this one! It is a very fast trail that is well-suited for night riding. There is a two-mile stretch that is mostly in the open, so star-gazing is mandatory - unless it is monsoon season.
A good side trip to the top of Vista Point on
the Sawmill
Connector (#635A) adds a little
technical climbing to the trip. At Porter Tank (end of the
two-track assuming a clockwise start), make a LEFT. Don't
continue down the road. Head up the hill and watch for the
side-trail markers (red dots) to the left. There is a
nice view of the valley you are about to cross and the Twin
Knolls in the distance.
To access the trailhead, from the Lakeside
Range Station drive south 0.2 miles on Hwy 260 towards McNary.
Turn left on Porter Mountain road (FR 45). Go past the Porter
Mountain turnoff (a good side trip) about 0.8 miles to the
trailhead on the left. This trail can be made more interesting by
taking the connector trails Sawmill and Flume
(green dots) with the Timber Mesa Trail, which will add another level (or two) of technical
trails and about 6.5 miles on some good, seldom biked, forest
single- and two-track.
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Panorama/Timber Mesa
Connector #635A (Sawmill) [topo
map] [overview] [other
description] [other review] - WMTS Rating Moderate
- - This is a moderate four-mile connector joining
the West ends of the Panorama
and Timber
Mesa trails. Keep your eye out for the
connector trail markers (green dots).
This trail is mostly two-track with a little
single track thrown in for good measure. On the Timber Mesa end,
the trail starts out a little rocky but settles in to some
interesting winding two-track. On the Panorama side, a side trip
to the top of Vista Point adds a little more technical
single-track to the trip. Watch for the side-trail markers (red
dots) to the left for the Vista
turnoff.
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Panorama/Timber Mesa
Connector #635B (Flume) [topo
map] [overview] [other
description] [other review] - WMTS Rating Moderate
- - This is a moderate two-and-a-half-mile
connector joining the East ends of the Panorama and Timber Mesa trails. Keep your
eye out for the connector trail markers (green dots).
This trail is mostly two-track with a little
climbing on the side of Porter Mountain. The trail climbs and
descends about 150' in a little over 1/2 mile as you approach (or
leave) Panorama. The rest of the trail is a forest cruise.
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Springs Trail
#633 [topo map] [overview] [other
description] [other
review]- WMTS Rating Moderate
-- If you a looking for a quick loop (3.8 miles)
of combo fast/technical, this is a good one. It is probably best
as a part of a larger loop, and could almost be a
"three-biker" except for the length. This one is
heavily used by horses and hikers, so be careful. There are
connector trails north to Blue Ridge Trail and east to Country Club Trail #632.
The trail follows winds along Thompson Creek and Billy Creek (photo) for a ways. The part along Thompson Creek winds through the rocky hillside and is very technical. The rocks disappear for a major section of way-fast. The fun 'n fast stuff outweighs the slow 'n technical stuff by a factor of 4.3 to 1 (by my calculations), so don't get discouraged when you hit the rocks (so to speak). Recent trail maintenance has taken some of the rocky sections out, but there are still plenty of places to challenge yourself.
This trail surprises me. I've had a lot of feedback on how much people like this trail. With the technical part along the creek and the fast stuff through the woods, I hear bikers say this is a pretty good trail for beginner and expert alike.
To access the trailhead, drive south on Hwy 260 towards McNary. Turn left on Bucksprings Road (just outside of Pinetop). At 0.6 miles, turn left on Mohawk (now Sky High Rd), or FR 182 (toward Sky High). At 1.1 miles, the trailhead will be on the left.
The Forest Service built another connector
trail from Hwy 260, past the old fish hatchery. It's only about
1/2 mile long, but it is worth the out-and-back. Hilly,
technical, and scenic. This trail is best accessed from the south
end of the Springs trail. There are no parking facilities at the
new trailhead (seems weird until you realize there is a housing
development across the street. Private access! How sweet!).
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Timber Mesa Trail
#636 [topo map] [overview] [other description] [other
review] - WMTS Rating Difficult
- - Short and sweet. Six miles of a little of
everything. Not much elevation change, some good technical
sections, and closeness to Lakeside make this a good choice for
the time-challenged. Hook up with the Panorama
Trail (green dots,
trails Sawmill
#635A and Flume #635B) for a good workout.
To access the trailhead, from the Lakeside Range Station drive south .2 miles on Hwy 260 towards McNary. Turn left on Porter Mountain road (FR 45) and travel 2.2 miles to the trailhead. The trail heads up to Timber Mesa to the right, behind the trailhead marker. It is very technical is spots with lots of big, well-planted rocks to grab at your expensive bike parts. Or, as the White Mountains TrailSystem Guide says, "creating difficult conditions for mountain bikers". All of it is rideable, but it should challenge the best riders. It is difficult (but not impossible) not to "dab" at least once on the trail.
I'd recommend doing the mesa part as an out-and-back, or use the green-dot trails Sawmill (near end) and Flume (far end). The other half follows Chimneys Fire Road, which is just that - a road. If you've had enough of the technical stuff, the road is OK. If you decide to take the road, or if you want to take a quick side trip, look for the "historic" Twin Chimneys just down from the trailhead. I don't know why they are historic, but they are chimneys, and there are two of them.
The trail was on the receiving end of some trail maintenance. Many of the challenging areas are still there, but most of the trail was made much more "intermediate". There are still plenty of opportunities to smash your bike (and skin) to bits, but you'll have to work harder at it. Also, about two miles down the Sawmill #635A (about 1/4 mile past the tank on the left), look for a jeep trail to the right that climbs to a small hill. Near the top of the hill is a rock cairn on the right that leads the way to a series of well-marked elk trails that lead back to the trailhead. Very fun indeed!
If you are really hard up for a ride, this trail can be a blast in the snow! Here are photos of Chris T. and me celebrating January 1, 2001.
Note that this trail is often mis-marked on
maps as "#635". The Forest Service assures me that
"#636" is correct (even though it's their own maps that
are wrong).
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Woodland Lake Park [other description] - These are short, mostly easy trails in the Woodland Lake area. They can be used for a quick ride or to connect to other trails to make a longer trip. The park is located in the heart of the Town of Pinetop-Lakeside off of Woodland Lake Road. Note that Woodland Lake Road is horseshoe-shaped, and either exit off of Hwy 260 will get you to the park.
There is a blacktop "single track" around the lake. It can be fun as a cool-off loop, but be careful. There are usually a lot of people taking slow walks.
- This is a three mile, mostly easy
trail (some rocky sections) in the Woodland Lake area. It
is a necessary (and fun) trail to make a loop in the
Woodland Lake area. A good part of the trail has been
rebuilt and is very easy. Other places are still very
rocky and can be a bit difficult for inexperienced
riders. - This is a very short connector trail
between Turkey Track Trail and Hitching Post Loop Trail.
This one allows you to go through Walnut Creek
instead of over it at the Woodland Lake dam. However, the
bridge is kinda fun if there aren't too many people
around, and the "through" part can be
interesting if the water is high. - This is a good 1.5 mile trail hooking
up with the back side of Hitching Post Loop Trail. There
is one section at Walnut Creek that is rocky and may
require a hike-a-bike to navigate. - This trail offers access from Turkey
Track Trail to Billy Creek Trailspark and Blue Ridge Trail. It
is a combination of single track and residential streets,
so it isn't too exiting. But it gets you there. - This is an "environmental
area", but has a good section of trail to get you
from Woodland Lake Road to some of the other trails in
the Woodland Lake area. The trail joins the Hitching Post
Loop Trail at the half-way point. Look for the Big
Springs Environmental Area parking on the western part of
Woodland Lake Road. A little reminder - since this is a
nature trail, be extra careful not to disturb the
wildlife and those out enjoying the area by foot.Billy
Creek Trailspark - WMTS Rating Not
Rated - - This is a proposed parkland area.
There are several marked trails in the area, but little
"official", at least nothing with maps. It's pretty
hard to get lost, though, because the park is bounded by houses
on one side and Billy Creek on the other. This area can be a lot
of fun for zippin' through the woods between the trees. This is
the closest thing to an "easy" trail in the area
(besides the blacktop path around Woodland Lake). Only limited
technical stuff, though. If you head East along the trails (you
can't get lost - Billy Creek on one side and HWY 260 about a mile
to the other), you will run into a very nice water hole on the
creek. It's not prime swimming, but it's a good place for the dog
to cool off.
This area makes for a good shortcut from the Blue Ridge Trail to the Woodland Lake area.
There are many other trails in the area that aren't part of the TrailSystem. Both Apache and Sitgreaves National Forests have hundreds of miles of backroads and other trails that can be explored. Here is a brief sample of some of the trails nearby. Note that while most of these trails are in the White Mountains, they are not part of the White Mountains TrailSystem, and markings will be different.
Indian
Springs (#627) and West Fork (#628)Trails [topo map] [other description]-
WMTS Rating (not part of WMTS) - - In a word - OUTSTANDING! This is a made-for-bikes
trail not far from Big Lake. Both of these trails have
all-weather surfaces (packed gravel, hauled in the hard way!). An
added bonus is that these trails can be accessed from the Rainbow
campground at Big Lake.
Indian Springs is a 7.5 mile loop. Except for the altitude (9000'), the trail is very easy. There are some good singletrack sections through the woods and a fairly long stretch along the Old Apache Railroad Grade. There is a good change in elevation, but nothing very strenuous (about 500'). A 1/2 mile option can take you to the Big Lake Lookout. It's a bit steep in places, but the view from the lookout is great!
The West Fork Trail is a 3.5 mile out-and-back off of the Indian Springs Trail. This trail is the one that pushes the rating from the lowly two bike clear up to the coveted three bike nirvana! This trail works its way toward the West Fork of the Black River. When approaching the Black River, there are spectacular views of the canyon. And yes, the trail goes all the way down to the river. The smooth all-weather trail deteriorates into a technical hillside-clinging, rocky, switchback descent into the canyon. Very nice! Don't confuse this West Fork #628 trail, which is on the West Fork of the Black River, with the West Fork #94 trail, which is on the West Fork of the Little Colorado River.
To get there, take Arizona 273 to Big Lake. At
the Big Lake turnoff, continue on for .07 files on FR249 to
FR249E. Turn right on FR249E and go .5 miles to trailhead on
left. Go clockwise to climb the gentle grade of the old railroad
bed, or counter-clockwise to enjoy the extended downish of same.
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Pole Knoll
Recreation Area [topo map] [other description]-
WMTS Rating (not part of WMTS) - - This is primarily a cross-country
ski area. It isn't specifically set up for bikes, but the Forest
Service has designated this area as a "mixed use" area.
You could find ATVs, horses, hikers, bikers, and 4-wheelers on
the same trails.
Most of the trails are old roads. The views are great, especially in the open areas. There are some single-track sections on the mountain (or "knoll"), but they are not maintained, so the deadfall is quite heavy in places. Since this is used for cross-country skiing, who cares if all that deadfall is under 8 feet of snow?
The lower trails are really very nice for easy riding. This is a very good place to take beginners. Just follow the cross-country ski markers, which guide you to "easiest" (green circle, mostly flat roads), "moderately difficult" (blue square, roads with some climb), and "difficult" (black diamond, deadfall heaven).
The main trailhead is located to the south of
AZ 260, about 14 miles west of Springerville/Eagar. The
Forest Service built a new road and parking area in the Fall of
1998. They put in a lot of money in fixing up the parking, let's
hope they do the same for the single track!
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Williams
Valley [topo map] [other
description] - WMTS Rating (not part of WMTS) -
- This is primarily a cross-country
ski area, but it is also set up for bikes. There even is a
"Mountain Bike Parking" area. Best of all, this is in a
non-motorized area so use is limited.
Snowfall is usually quite heavy so it takes a while before these trails are passable in the spring. Most of the trails are old logging roads. The views are great, especially in the open areas. There are some almost-single-track, but since this is a low-use area it is somewhat overgrown. The trails are very rideable, though. Since the elevation ranges from 8700' to about 9400', it is a pretty good thin air workout. There are no steep climbs (except on some of the side trails).
This area is in beautiful high mountain forest with heavy stands of Aspen. A good time to ride this would be in mid-October when the leaves change color. This is a prime wildlife area too, so keep an eye out for elk - and plenty of them!
The Forest Service descriptions of the area indicate there are 5 miles of trails. It's more like 14! And that's not counting all of the trails - only the "marked" trails. Some trails are closed to mountain bikes, so be mindful of the trail signs.
The trailhead is accessed by driving 1.5 miles
north of Alpine on US Highway 191 (formerly US 666 - who thought
of that one?). Travel 4.5 miles west on Forest Road 249 to
Williams Valley. There are two parking lots. One is on FR 249 and
has some recently installed facilities. However, there are
"No Bikes" signs on the back side of the trail from
this lot. The other, more bike friendly trailhead, is on the west
end of the valley on the south side of the road. Signs will
direct you to the parking area.
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Mogollon Rim
Interpretive Trail #615 - [topo map]
[other description]
- WMTS Rating (not part of WMTS) - - Not much of a
trial - only one mile long. Very easy, but still nice. All
single-track, partly paved, good place to take your none-biking
significant other before you show the real trails! Good views off
of the Mogollon (rhymes with "boogie-on") Rim.
As of this writting, the trail is still open to
bicycles. Rumor has it that the trail will be closed to bicycle
access. Check at the trail before proceeding!
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East Fork (or
East Baldy) Trail (#95) [topo
map] [other description]
- WMTS Rating (not part of WMTS) - - This is another great trail that offers some of
the best the White Mountains has to offer. It has some sweet
rolling nearly perfect singletrack, and at least one long climb.
Total elevation gain is 1100', from 8200' at Greer to 9300', with
600' of the gain in the first 1/8 mile! Total length of the trail
is a little over 6 miles one-way. The trail is marked "East
Baldy", but technically that trail is the portion of #95
that climbs Mount Baldy. If you get that far, it turns into a
wilderness area, so it is off-limits to you-know-who.
The trail crosses the West Fork of the Little Colorado River (yes, the East Fork Trail crosses the West Fork). The climb up the hill is steep, but mostly rideable. There are many log water bars to cross, and that makes the climb more difficult. Coming back is much easier, but still challenging in that many of the logs are way beyond chainring height.
Once on top, the trail rolls gently (more or less) toward AZ 273. The views are spectacular, with vistas of Mount Baldy and the surrounding alpine meadows and forests. There is a section of trail that runs for about three miles that can best be described as "WOW"! It transverses through alpine meadow, old-growth forest, and Aspen forest. There are rocks aplenty, but not on the trail!
When you reach the power lines, leave the main trial and follow the lines about 50 yards to the right (East). When you intersect the forest road, take a left (South) and follow it about 1/2 mile to the Winn Campground road. The campground is a short distance to the right (North), and makes a good spot to water up before the return trip. If you continue on the main trail past the power lines, you will eventually cross a fence. The trail from that point deteriorates to the point that the only sign that a trail exists is, well, signs. The trail is completely grown over.
To get there, take Arizona 260 toward
Springerville. Take the Greer turn-off on Forest Road 575. Follow
the road through town. Just past where the pavement ends is a
small parking lot. The trail crosses the river straight across
from the parking area.
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West Fork (or
West Baldy) Trail (#94) [topo
map] [other description]
- WMTS Rating (not part of WMTS) - - Much like the East Fork, this trail doesn't
spend much time by water. Sure, there's Badger Pond not far from
the start of the trail, Potato Springs up on top, and the West
Fork of the Little Colorado River at the end, but there just
isn't the water that the word"Fork" conjures up! The
trail is about 6.5 miles long and shows very little use as it
approaches Sheep Crossing near the foot of Mt. Baldy.
The trail starts off of Osborne road in Greer. The start of the trail is pretty much up, somewhat steep in places but certainly climbable. About 2.5 miles and 900' later, the trail crests the top. From there, the trail exhibits multiple personalities. From sweet single track to two-track to rocky suspension testers to open meadow "where did the trail go?", this trial has a little of everything and a lot of nothing. If the good single track was a little longer and crappy parts of the trail a little less, it may deserve a higher rating. The other down side is that this trail had a LOT of downfall when we went - some of it rideable, most of it not. Besides the obvious signs that this trail see little use (no visible wear in some places), it's equally obvious that the Forest Service doesn't spend much of its resources keeping the trial open.
At about the 6-mile mark, the trail disappears into a large meadow with only marker posts to lead the way. Don't be discouraged - about half way through the meadow the "trail" crests a little hill and presto! The Sheep Crossing parking lot comes into view. This is where the trail has some redeeming value. Not the parking lot, but what lies beyond. Just down the "Rail Trail" visible on the other side of AZ 273 is the West Fork of the Little Colorado River (finally - real water). The West Baldy trail continues up about 1/2 mile until it meets the wilderness boundary. Of course, that's the end of the line, but there are many nice places along the river to have lunch.
An option to consider is to combine the West Fork with the East Fork, making a loop. The new rail-trail Railroad Grade #601 makes a connector at the top between Sheep Crossing and Winn Campground (follow directions for East Fork to get from Winn). The lower side can easily joined by roads in Greer. The total loop would be about 20 miles. It is probably best to go up the West Fork and down the East Fork, making a counter-clockwise run on the trails.
Don't confuse this West Fork #94 trail, which
is on the West Fork of the Little Colorado River, with the West Fork #628 trail, which is on the West Fork of the Black
River.
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South Fork
(#97) Trail [topo map] [other description] -
WMTS Rating (not part of WMTS) - - This trail is a bit of an enigma. It has some sweet
rolling nearly perfect singletrack, and at least one clearly
impossible section. Total elevation gain is 1500', from 7500' at
the South Fork Campground to 9000' at Mexican Hay Lake, so you
will get a pretty good workout. Total length of the trail is a
little over 6 miles one-way (the Forest Service claims 7, but
even their own signs at Mexican Hay Lake say 6). An additional 3
miles can added by circling the lake.
The trail follows the South Fork of the Little Colorado River for about 2 miles. This section closely follows the river and is very interesting. At the signed fork in the trail, go left across the river and start the climb to the top of the canyon. About one mile into the climb, there is a sign that reads: "Use Caution - Steep Trail". No kidding! They mean STEEP. Seems straight up. Your first thought might be "we forgot the ropes"! It isn't long, but be prepared to heft your bike up the hill. Rumor has it some lady rode down the hill on a ProFlex. I don't believe it, but if you know who this person might be, or if you know of anybody else who may have cleaned it, drop me an email!
Once on top, the trail rolls gently (more or less) to Mexican Hay Lake. The lake can be bone dry in the un-wet years (like 1999), but most often it is a fine lake with beaver and other wildlife. The views are spectacular, with vistas of Mount Baldy, Green's Peak, Escudilla Mountain, and grasslands to the north to the horizon. At the lake, there is an abundance of wildlife.
When you reach the lake (or dry lake bed as the case may be), get ready for a great reward for all of that climbing on the return trip! Except for the vertical section, the trail back is very, very nice! The last two miles is very sweet. Just use caution since hikers also use the trail!
To get there, take Arizona 260 toward
Springerville. About 5.5 miles west of Eager, turn on Apache
County road 4124 and follow to South Fork Campground. The
trailhead begins on the west side of the stream. There used to be
a $2.00 day use fee, but the campground host has been letting
trail users park for free in 2001 - just stay out of the camp
sites. Also, beware of the poison ivy along the river.
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Sunrise
Park Resort - WMTS Rating (not part
of WMTS) -- Sunrise Park Resort used to be a good place to
bike, and a pretty good place to ski - if it snows. I have not
biked it in a couple of years, so I don't know if they are still
catering to bicycles in the summer. The resort is owned and
operated by the White Mountain Apache Tribe. They have a lot to
learn about being consistent, but when they get the urge (which
hasn't been very often), they open the lifts for mountain bikers.
If it is open, bring your rain gear! Expect
rain and thunderstorms most afternoons from the end of June
through September. Sometimes it rains a little. Sometimes a lot.
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There are other trails in Arizona and the world that are well worth the
riding!
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Keep trail access open!
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Let me know what you think. If you have been on any of the trails I have described, tell me if my descriptions are accurate. I'm always open for another point of view.
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