AZventure Hiking

Central Arizona

Central Highlands	Central Lowlands
Castle Creek Wilderness Cedar Bench Wilderness Fossil Springs Wilderness Four Peaks Wilderness Granite Mountain Wilderness Mazatzal Wilderness Munds Mountain Wilderness Pine Mountain Wilderness Red Rock - Secret Mountain Wilderness Sycamore Canyon Wilderness West Clear Creek Wilderness Wet Beaver Wilderness Woodchute Wilderness	Cabeza Prieta Refuge Wilderness Hassayampa River Canyon Wilderness Hells Canyon Wilderness North Maricopa Mountains Wilderness Sierra Estrella Wilderness Signal Mountain Wilderness South Maricopa Mountains Wilderness Superstition Wilderness Table Top Wilderness White Canyon Wilderness Woolsey Peak Wilderness

Follow this link for Wilderness Areas in Northern Arizona
Cabeza Prieta Refuge Wilderness

Location
Southwestern Arizona - 5 miles west of Ajo

Area Information
Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge
Excellent information provided by the US Fish and Wildlife Service. A feature also provided by the FSWS is one for bighorn sheep.

Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge
Excellent writeup with gorgeous thumbnailed pictures. Don't miss this offering from RefugeNet.

Desert Hikes: Sweet Nothingness
Brief mention of this wilderness with contact information for maps and how to determine when area will be closed due to bombing runs.

GORP
Very brief description.

Motor Cross
Very good writeup from Tucson Weekly's "Out There" feature.

Under Siege
A must read on the different political groups tugging for control of this area and how increased visitation may be its downfall. From the Tucson Weekly.

Trail Information
No specific trails exist. Hiking is across open range and dirt roads.

Charlie Bell Pass
Writeup from Arizona Highways "Hike of the Month" feature. Includes a link to directions and a basic map.

Other Information
Big Guns, Bighorn And A Vast, Lonely Desert.
Very good article, from Tucson Weekly's "Out There" feature, on hiking the refuge, and the man-made hazards present.

Bird Checklists of the United States
Brief writeup with mammoth checklist of birds that can be seen in this refuge.

Bombs and Bighorns - Military Uses
Brief writeup mentioning the control of airspace by the military over this wilderness.

Boom Boom On The Range
Excellent article about pronghorn features this wilderness area. Provided by Phoenix New Times.

Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge
Another writeup mentioning the control of airspace by the military over this wilderness.

Luke Removes Darts, Restores Refuge
Article on the removal of jettisoned darts by Luke Air Force Base.

Map
A basic topographic with precipitation "gauges" of the area.

Sizzling Story
This area is featured in an article about the perils of hiking with little water. From Tucson Weekly's "Out There" feature.

Castle Creek Wilderness

Location
Western Central Arizona - 35 miles south of Prescott

Area Information
GORP
Very brief description.

Trail Information
No specific information exists for the following trails:
Algonquin Trail
Castle Creek Trail
East Fort Trail
Jim Creek Trail
Horsethief Canyon Trail
Twin Peaks Trail
Willow Creek Trail

Cedar Bench Wilderness

Location
North Central Arizona - 25 miles east of Cordes Junction

Area Information
GORP
Very brief description.

USDA Forest Service
Very brief description.

Trail Information
Chasm Creek Trail #164
No specific information available.

Cold Water Trail
No specific information available.

Oxbow Trail #163
Good directions and little trail detail from USDA Forest Service.

Other Information
Beasley Flat River Access and Picnic Area
Directions and little area infomation of this area which accesses the Chasm Creek Trail #164 from the USDA Forest Service.

Four Peaks Wilderness

Location
Eastern Central Arizona - 25 miles NE of Mesa

Area Information
GORP
Very brief description with large listing of trails but little information.

Trail Information
Four Peaks Trail
Brief description.

No specific information is available on the following trails:
Alder Creek Trail
Amethyst Trail
Browns Trail
Cane Spring Trail
Chillicut Trail
Lower Soldier Camp Trail
Oak Flat Trail
Soldier Camp Trail

Other Information
Lone Fire
An excellent article on this devastating fire to this area in 1996 - from Phoenix New Times. I could not get the "NEXT" links to work, so here are the links to the other pages on this story; Page 2,, Page 3,, Page 4,, Page 5, & Page 6,.

Photo from Jason P. Aufdenberg
Showing a snow covered trail among burned trees.

Fossil Springs Wilderness

Location
Eastern Central Arizona - 10 miles west of Strawberry

Area Information
GORP
Very brief description.

Map
Basic map from Trailmonkey showing the roads surrounding the Wilderness.

Trail Information
Flume Road Trail #154/Fossil Springs Canyon on 3-10-02
3-D view with links to a map to the trailhead, a topographic map of the trail, information about the hike, and a picture - from Arizona's 20-20 Challenge.

Fossil Springs Trail
No specific information available.

Mail Trail
No specific information available.

Granite Mountain Wilderness

Location
Western Central Arizona - 7 miles north of Prescott

Area Information
GORP
Very brief description.

Trail Information
Cedar Springs Trail
No specific information available.

Little Granite Trail
No specific information available.

Hassayampa River Canyon Wilderness

Location
Central Arizona - 20 miles north of Wickenburg

Area Information
BLM - Arizona
Brief description of the wilderness.

Hassayampa Wilderness Area
Map of this area from the "Happy Campers".

Trail Information
No specific trails exist. Hiking is across open terrain and through the river.

Hells Canyon Wilderness

Location
Western Central Arizona - 25 miles northwest of Phoenix

Area Information
BLM - Arizona
Brief description of this area from the Arizona BLM.

Hells Canyon Wilderness Area
Map of this area from the "Happy Campers".

Trail Information
No specific information exists online for the following trails:
Bell Trail
Hermit Trail
Spring Valley Trail

Mazatzal Wilderness

Location
Central Arizona - 25 miles NE of Carefree

Area Information
GORP
Very brief description with large listing of trails but little information.

Summit Hut
Phone number information.

Trail Information
Barnhardt, Mazatzal Divide, & Y Basin Trails
Good writeup of this loop hike from Arizona Central's AZ Trails archive. Read this to find out why you need to use established trails.

Barnhardt, Mazatzal Divide, & Y Basin Trails
Brief writeup of this loop hike.

Barnhardt, Mazatzal Divide, & Y Basin Trails
Personal descriptive account of this loop hike. Has many pictures, but loads slowly.

Mazatzal Divide, Red Hills, Brush and "Bullfrog Ridge" Trails
Personal descriptive account of this loop backpack.

No specific information exists for the following trails:
Bull Spring Trail
Copper Camp Trail
Davenport Wash Trail
Dead Man Mesa Trail
Deer Creek Trail
Dutchman Grave Trail
Half Moon Trail
Highwater Trail
Rock Creek Trail
Saddle Mountain Trail
Saddle Ridge Trail
Sears Trail
Sheep Creek Trail
South Fork Trail
Thicket Spring Trail
Verde River Trail
Wet Bottom Trail
Willow Spring Trail

Munds Mountain Wilderness

Location
North Central Arizona - 1 mile east of Sedona

Area Information
GORP
Very brief description.

Trail Information
Jacks Canyon Trail #55 on 3-10-02
3-D view with links to a map to the trailhead, a topographic map of the trail, information about the hike, and a picture - from Arizona's 20-20 Challenge.

No specific infomation exists for the following trails:
Hot Loop Trail #94
Little Horse Trail #61
Munds Mountain Trail #77
Schnebly Hill Trail # 158
Woods Canyon Trail #93

Other Information
Another View of Sedona's Red Rocks
Arizona Highways "Virtual Visit" featuring Schnebly Hill Road.

North Maricopa Mountains Wilderness

Location
North Central Arizona - 12 miles NE of Gila Bend

Area Information
BLM
Brief description from the Bureau of Land Management.

Trail Information
Margie's Cove Trail
Excellent writeup and map from the BLM. This is a scanned copy of their handout on the trail. Give it time to load.

Brittlebrush Trail
Excellent writeup and map from the BLM. This is a scanned copy of their handout on the trail. Give it time to load.

Pine Mountain Wilderness

Location
Eastern Central Arizona - 25 miles east of Cordes Junction

Area Information
GORP
Very brief description.

Sedona.Net
Very brief description.

Summit Hut
Phone number information.

Trail Information
Nelson & Willow Spring Trails
One of the better Arizona Highways' Hike of the Month features - once you get past the first paragraph. Included is a link for directions on how to get there.

Pine Flat Trail
No specific information available.

Pine Mountain Trail #14
Concise information with good directions on how to access the wilderness - from Sedona.Net.

Verde Rim Trail
No specific information available.

Red Rock - Secret Mountain Wilderness

Location
North Central Arizona - 1 mile north of Sedona

Area Information
GORP
Very brief description.

ACME Outfitters
Very brief description with a phone number for more information.

Trail Information
Bear Mountain Trail on 3/10/02
Good writeup providing information about the hike, driving and trailhead directions, and nearest accomodations from OneDayHikes.com.

Boynton Canyon Trail
Brief writeup from Arizona Central's AZ Trails.

Boynton Canyon Trail
Gorgeous picture of an alcove at Boynton Canyon, as well as directions on how to get to the trailhead.

Boynton Canyon Trail on 3/10/02
Good writeup providing information about the hike, driving and trailhead directions, and nearest accomodations from OneDayHikes.com.

Brins Mesa Trail #119
Brief but informative writeup from Sedona On-line, Inc.

Devils Bridge Trail #120
Small description of how to get to the arch from Sedona Guide.

Dry Creek Trail
No specific information available.

Fay Canyon Trail #53
Brief but informative writeup from Sedona On-line, Inc.

Fay Canyon Trail #53
Small description of how to get to the arch from Sedona Guide.

Long Canyon Trail #122 on 3-10-02
3-D view with links to a map to the trailhead, a topographic map of the trail, information about the hike, and a picture - from Arizona's 20-20 Challenge.

Loy Canyon Trail #5
Brief but informative writeup from Sedona On-line, Inc.

Secret Canyon Trail #121 on 3-10-02
3-D view with links to a map to the trailhead, a topographic map of the trail, information about the hike, and a picture - from Arizona's 20-20 Challenge.

Soldier's Pass Trail
Small description of this hike from Sedona Guide.

Sterling Pass Trail #46
I may be partial, but this is my excellent writeup on this trail as part of my AZventure Journal.

Sterling Pass & Vultee Arch Trails
Small description of these two hikes from Sedona Guide.

Vultee Arch Trail #22
I may be partial, but this is my excellent writeup on this trail as part of my AZventure Journal.

Vultee Arch Trail
Good writeup from Arizona Central's AZ Trails.

West Fork Trail #108
Brief writeup from Arizona Central's AZ Trails.

West Fork Trail #108
Small description of this hike from Sedona Guide.

West Fork Trail #108 on 3/10/02
Good writeup providing information about the hike, driving and trailhead directions, and nearest accomodations from OneDayHikes.com.

West Fork Trail #108 on 3-10-02
3-D view with links to a map to the trailhead, a topographic map of the trail, information about the hike, and a picture - from Arizona's 20-20 Challenge.

Wilson Canyon Trail #49
Small description of this hike from Sedona Guide.

Wilson Mountain/North Wilson Trails #10 & #123
Brief but informative writeup from Sedona On-line Inc.

Wilson Mountain #10/Oak Creek Canyon on 3-10-02
3-D view with links to a map to the trailhead, a topographic map of the trail, information about the hike, and a picture - from Arizona's 20-20 Challenge.

North Wilson Trail #123
Brief writeup as part of AZventure In Hiking's Favorite AZventures.

Other Information
Sedona, Ariz.: New Age portal or paradise lost?
Well written article on the mystique of Sedona by Cyberwest Magazine. Includes reference to several trails in the RedRock/Secret Mountain Wilderness.

Dave's Photo Album
Includes pictures from Bear Mountain, West Fork Oak Creek & Brins Mesa. this page loads very very slowly so be patient.

Friedman, Gil T.
Excellent pictures around Sedona. There are 19 pictures on this page so it loads rather slowly, but it is well worth the wait. If you've never been to Sedona and wonder what the fascination is, check out this collection of photos.

Sedona's Denergy Vortexes
Article, with crude map, about the vortexes found around Sedona, including Boynton Canyon.

Boynton Canyon Trail
Brief writeup of medicine wheels and explanation of what Sedona has to offer. Their quote; "If you're not hiking, you're wasting the Sedona experience." I'd have to agree.

Sierra Estrella Wilderness

Location
Central Arizona - 15 miles SW of Phoenix

Area Information
BLM
Brief description from Bureau of Land Management.

Trail Information
Quartz Peak Trail
AZventure In Hiking's excellent journal. (I may be biased).

Quartz Peak Trail
Excellent writeup and map from the BLM. This is a scanned copy of their handout on the trail. Give it time to load.

Signal Mountain Wilderness

Location
North Central Arizona - 10 miles west of Jerome

Area Information
GORP
Very brief description.

Trail Information
Woodchute Trail #102
Flowery prose and a link to excellent directions from Arizona Highways' Hike of the Month feature. This is one of the few Hike of the Month features that gives you a feel for the trail, though I still feel like I'm reading a feature from a creative writing class.

Other Information
Potato Patch Campground
Basic information with good directions from the USDA Forest Service Verde Valley Center.

South Maricopa Mountains Wilderness

Location
Southern Central Arizona - 16 miles east of Gila Bend

Area Information
BLM
Brief description from Bureau of Land Management.

Trail Information
No trails exist. All hiking is cross country.

Superstition Wilderness

Location
Central Arizona - 7 miles east of Apache Junction

Area Information
City of Apache Junction
Good writeup with general information, though no great detail.

Fifty Years of Wilderness
A bit of history by Tom Kollenborn.

Golden Beauty of the Sonoran Desert
General description by Tom Kollenborn.

GORP
Very brief description with large listing of trails but little information.

The History of the Superstition Wilderness Area
Very good, enlightening writeup.

Microsoft Expedia
Brief description of the area and the infamous Lost Dutchman.

The Superstition Wilderness
Good overall description of the area by Tom Kollenborn.

Superstition Wilderness is Treasure Enough
Good mention of this area and specifically the Peralta Trail and Peraltas from The Denver Post.

Tanner Computer Services
Links are provided for "General Information", as well as excellent "History", "Questions & Answers", and "Weather" pages. Also has an "Area Hikes" page. Links to specific trails can be found below.

Trail Information
Ain't Superstitious
Pull out your map and follow along with this backpack throughout the Superstitions.

Black Mesa Trail #241
Brief descrption with good data and directions.

Bluff Springs Trail #235
Included in one of my AZventure Journals.

Bluff Springs Trail #235
Brief descrption with good data and directions.

Boulder Canyon Trail #103
Brief descrption with good data and directions.

Cave Trail
Included in one of my AZventure Journals.

Coffee Flat Trail #108
One of the trails featured in AZventure In Hiking's "Favorite AZventures".

Coffee Flat Loop
Brief descrption with directions.

Dutchman's Trail #104
The southern portion of this trail is included in one of my AZventure Journals.

Dutchman's/Second Water/Black Mesa Loop
Very brief description with directions.

Hieroglyphic Canyon Trail #101
Brief descrption with good data and directions.

JF Trail #106
Brief descrption with good data and directions.

JF Trail #106
Brief descrption with directions.

North Perlta/Boulder Canyon
Brief descrption with good data and directions.

Peralta Trail #102
Included in one of my AZventure Journals.

Peralta Trail #102
Brief descrption with directions.

Peralta Trail #102
Good descrption and data with directions.

Peralta Trail #102
Brief descrption with good data and directions.

Peter's Trail #105
Brief descrption with good data and directions.

Reavis Ranch Trail #109
Brief descrption with good data and directions.

Red Tanks Trail #107
Brief descrption with good data and directions.

Rogers Canyon Trail
Very good descrption of trail with directions.

Rogers Canyon Trail
Good descrption of trail with directions.

Siphon Draw Trail
Though technically not part of the Wildnerness Area, this trail leads to an awesome view of it, while providing access to Flatiron.

Siphon Draw Trail
Brief descrption with good data and directions.

No specific information exists for the following trails other than a very small mention at GORP's Superstition Wilderness Page:
Bull Basin Trail
Campaign Trail
Cavalry Trail
Cuff Button Trail
Fire Line Trail
Frog Tanks Trail
Haunted Canyon Trail
Hoolie Bacon Trail
Paradise Trail
Pinto Peak Trail
Plow Saddle Trail
Reavis Gap Trail
Rock Creek Trail
Spencer Spring Trail
Terrapin Trail
Tule Trail
Two Bar Ridge Trail
West Pinto Trail
Whiskey Trail
Woodbury Trail

Other Information
The Cattlemen of Superstition Mountain
Excellent expose of cattle ranches and drives through the Superstitions. Ever wonder how some of the trails in the Superstitions got their names? Read this article and find out.

The Military History of the Superstition Wilderness
Interesting tidbits of battles that occurred along a few of the trails.

Photos from Florida Saddle

Tale of the Lost Dutchman
A list of historical books with comments about each as they pertain to the Lost Dutchman mine.

A Wilderness Mountain Resort
Excellent article on the history of Reavis Ranch.

Sycamore Canyon Wilderness

Location
Western Central Arizona - 23 miles west of Sedona

Area Information
Almost A Grand
Article with general information and history of the area. From Tucson Weekly's "Out There" feature.

GORP
Very brief description.

US Forest Service
Brief description as part of the Kaibab National Forest feature.

Trail Information
Dogie Trail to Taylor Cabin
One of the features of AZventure In Hiking's "Favorite AZventures".

Parsons Trail
Brief description with good directions. From Arizona Central's "AZ Trails" feature.

Parsons Trail #144 on 3-10-02
3-D view with links to a map to the trailhead, a topographic map of the trail, information about the hike, and a picture - from Arizona's 20-20 Challenge.

No specific information exists online for the following trails:
Dogie Trail
Dorsey Spring Trail
Geronimo Spring Trail
Mooney Trail
Packard Mesa Trail
Sycamore Canyon Trail
Taylor Cabin Trail
Winter Cabin Trail
Yew Thicket Trail

Other Information
Photograph
Photo courtesy of BLM.

Table Top Wilderness

Location
Southern Central Arizona - 20 miles west of Casa Grande

Area Information
BLM - Arizona
Brief description from the BLM.

Table Top Wilderness Area
Map of the wilderness from "Happy Campers".

Arizona National Plant Society
A brief writeup exists about half-way down this page describing an outing for the winter/spring of 1998.

Trail Information
Lava Flow Trail
Very good writeup of this trail provided by the Arizona BLM.

Table Top Trail
Very good writeup of this trail provided by the Arizona BLM.

Other Information
Photograph
Photo courtesy of BLM.

West Clear Creek Wilderness

Location
Central Arizona - 11 miles east of Camp Verde

Area Information
GORP
Very brief description of the wilderness.

Trail Information
West Clear Creek Trail
Brief description of the "hike" with good directions of how to get there.

West Clear Creek Trail
Scroll down this page for a very brief description which includes a good map link. Mirror link I, Mirror link II.

West Clear Creek Trail #17/West Clear Creek Canyon on 3-10-02
3-D view with links to a map to the trailhead, a topographic map of the trail, information about the hike, and a picture - from Arizona's 20-20 Challenge.

Blodgett Basin Trail
No specific links are available for this trail.

Other Information
Indian Maiden Falls
Pictures of hiking the creek.

Wet Beaver Wilderness

Location
Central Arizona - 17 miles south of Sedona

Area Information
GORP
Very brief description of the wilderness.

Map
Simplified map of the wilderness and surrounding forest roads.

Trail Information
Apache Maid and Bell Trails
Scroll down this page for directions of how to get there.

Apache Maid Trail Map
Simplified map of this trail.

Bell Trail
Brief description with good directions.

Bell Trail #139 on 3-10-02
3-D view with links to a map to the trailhead, a topographic map of the trail, information about the hike, and a picture - from Arizona's 20-20 Challenge.

White Canyon Wilderness

Location
Southern Central Arizona - 7 miles south of Superior

Area Information
BLM - Arizona
Brief description of the wilderness.

Trail Information
One non-named trail exists which utilizes White Canyon. No online information exists for this trail.

Other Information
Description of the Arizona Trail Corridor
Excellent article on the Arizona Trail which mentions this wilderness in the Santa "Catalina Mountains to Mazatzal Mountains" section.

Woodchute Wilderness

Location
Central Arizona - 10 miles west of Jerome

Area Information
GORP
Very brief description of the wilderness.

Trail Information
Woodchute Mountain Trail #102
Prose from Arizona Highways "hike of the Month" feature. A link to good directions and a basic map is available on this page.

Martin Canyon Trail #103
Very good writeup of this trail which skirts outside the southern border of this wilderness.

Woolsey Peak Wilderness

Location
Southern Central Arizona - 32 miles southwest of Phoenix

Area Information
BLM - Arizona
Brief description of the wilderness.

Woolsey Peak Wilderness
Map of the wilderness from "Happy Campers".

Trail Information
No specific trails exist. There is an 8-mile route (closed to vehicles) available which begins at Woolsey Spring.

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To send comments or to add a link to this collection, just drop me a line at
ttidyman@swlink.net
Todd Tidyman