Walking Connection - Arizona Hikes in Payson

Arizona Walking Connection
Payson, Apache and Mohave County and Mogollan Rim Hike Archive

Welcome to My Arizona Walking Connection!

The following hikes are from the Walking Connection® Arizona Hike of the Month Archive. We have published the date of the original hike and in many cases rated the hikes in terms of difficulty as reported by our members. If you are planning to do any particular hike, keep in mind that trail heads and conditions change. Please read the Nonliability Statement below.

Arizona Hikes -- Payson!

***Bulldog - Superstitions
Date of Original Hike - March 16, 1997

Moderate to strenuous due to condition of trail. A permit is required to park in at the trailhead and comes with a map with detailed directions on how to find the entrances.

South entrance: Go east on US 60 to Idaho road (Exit 196?) then North to McKellips, east on McKellips to Wolverine Pass Road, North to Tonto, East on Tonto and follow road around to the entrance to the Bulldog Canyon recreation area entrance. The total distance from Tempe or Mesa is about an hour.

North entrance: Take US 60 to Ellsworth road then Ellsworth Road North to where it becomes Usery Pass road at McKellips, continue north to Bush Highway. Turn right and head east a couple of miles almost to the Salt River Bridge. (If you cross the bridge you have gone too far.) The turn in to the Bulldog Canyon area is on the right just before the bridge. This drive will take an hour and a half from Tempe/Mesa.

Bulldog Canyon has some rough steep hiking all at low elevation. It is a moderate hike and is several miles long thru the Goldfield Mountains. The area has great views of the mountains as the trail goes thru the canyon.

Contact the Ranger Station in Mesa for more information.

Ballentine Trail
Original Hike Date: Saturday, February 16, 2002

The trailhead is at MP 210.5 on the Beeline Highway, about 21 miles Northeast of the Fountain Hills-Shea Blvd/Beeline Hgwy intersection. The sign seems to be missing for northbound lane so look for the small parking area on the right after passing MP 210. The parking lot is visible. There is a short loop hike of about 1.5 miles or for those doing the Ballentine Trail, it is possible to go for 12 miles all the way to the Cline Trailhead on the Four Peaks Road. This hike passes the old Cline Cabin. You can go the distance or do an out-and-back. The hike follows a creek as it climbs up in elevation. Although it is a long, steady uphill, the trail is good and it is not especially difficult.

**Horton Creek at Payson
Original Hike Date -- Saturday, April 20, 1996

Horton Creek Trail is about 16 miles northeast of Payson on Highway 260. You will see a sign for Kohl's Ranch and road FR 289 is just at Kohl's Ranch. Turn left (north) on Tonto Creek Rd. 289 for about one mile to the Upper Tonto Creek Campground. At the campground entrance, turn left crossing the bridge and the parking is on the left.

The trail starts in the Upper Tonto Creek Campground and runs along Horton Creek to Horton Springs. The Highline Trail #31 and the Horton Springs Trail #285 also meet at this point. The trail travels through large ponderosa pines and Douglas fir and climbs a total of 1,060 feet to the spring which flows year round. Watch for birds and other wildlife along the trail. You may want to carry a small camera as the Horton Creek flowing along the trail provides some very beautiful scenery. The trail is **moderate** and toward the end may become more ***difficult.*** The hike is approximately 3.5 miles one way.

If you elect to continue the loop on Trail #31 to Trail #33, the loop is approximately 10 miles. The trail is marked by name and number and Trail #31 is switch back, steep in places and ***difficult.*** Should you attempt the loop, plan 6 hours and be sure to have plenty of water and some nutritious food.

**Barnhardt Trail -- Trip 92, Payson
Original Hike Date -- Saturday May 10, 1997

To access the trail head, drive northeast on State Highway 87 for approximately 65 miles, then turn left onto signed Barnhardt Road, Forest Road, #419. This dirt road is approved for passenger cars. Drive approximately 4.7 miles to the parking area terminus.
This trail is 12.2 miles round trip. It has an 1960' elevation gain and is listed as a moderate hike. This trail winds beneath rugged cliffs and spurs, through forests of oak and ponderosa pine, and past pretty copses of ash and sycamore. The Barnhardt Trail is said to be one of the best-maintained pathways in the Mazatzal. This hike is rated **moderate.**

***Donahue Trail, Payson
Original Hike Date -- Saturday July 12, 1997

To access the trail head, drive North of Payson about 1.0 mile south of Pine. Begin at the Pine Canyon Trail # 26 which connects to the Highline Trail, #31. Following the Highline Trail east for approximately 1.4 miles we then connect with the Donahue Trail and then North. Once on the Donahue trail the elevation is 5,800' to 7,200'. This hike is about 5 miles one way and is **moderate** to ***difficult.*** Be prepared for a difficult hike. This trail is not one for a novice hiker.

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Flagstaff Area
Prescott Area
Valley of the Sun
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Rating The Hikes

* Easy -- for beginners. There is little elevation change and they begin and end at the same location so hikers can go as far as they like and turn around at anytime. The terrain can be dirt, gravel & rocky, so footing can be hazardous. If you are just starting, or usually walk 2 hours at a time, these are for you.
** Moderate -- for experienced hikers. There is some elevation change. Some of the changes can be steep at times and long. These hikes can either be loops or out and back hikes that allow you to go as far as you like and turn around at anytime. The terrain can be dirt, gravel and rocky & footing can be hazardous. If you're comfortable walking 3-4 hours at a time, these are good for you.
*** Difficult -- for experienced hikers only. There could be significant elevation changes and at times, long uphill walks. Be prepared to climb rocks or wade streams. These can be loops or out and back hikes. The terrain can be dirt, gravel and rocky, so footing can be hazardous. If you walk 4-6 hours at a time, these are for you.

Please read the important notice below.

Exercise is only one part of being healthy, seeing your doctor is another! If, at any time during a training session (whether it is a group session, individual personal training session, or self-training session), you suffer any mishap or injury, we urge you to stop your activity immediately and seek professional medical attention. The information contained on this site is intended to give information about personal health and fitness, not to act as a medical manual or guide to self-treatment. Keep in mind that exercise, health and nutritional needs vary from person to person, depending on age, gender, family medical history, current health status, and other individual factors.Before engaging in these, or any other exercise or recreational activities, we urge all individuals to consult a physician. He or she is most-qualified to advise each about their specific health status and needs. By participating in any Walking Connection walk, hike or event, now or in the future, I have and do hereby fully assume all risk of injury, property damage, emotional trauma and death, and it is my intention for me and my heirs, executors and administrators to waive any and all right and claims for damages I may have against Gene and Jo Ann Taylor, Taylor Marketing and Management, LLC., The Walking Connection and any individual associated with these walks, hikes or events, their representatives, successors, and assignees, and will hold them harmless for any and all injuries, mishaps and loss of property suffered in connection with my participation in these walks, hikes, events.