The last mile or so to the top, has some hand over hand climbing involved that will make many hikers uneasy. Took about 4 hours to get from I17 to cave creek but we were mostly driving with short stops. Worked great!! Great, quick out and back. Scramble to the tunnel but the rest was pretty easy, for the most part! Lockers recommended. Lunch in Cave Creek was great. Summary: A nice 200 foot waterfall that you can visit right from your car. This was also the only hike I’ve been on when I didn’t meet a single person on the trail. You could drive the ragged road into Shannon Gulch near Payson if you didn't mind beating up your car. From October through April each year, urban dwellers take advantage of cooler temperatures and enjoy boating, fishing, hiking, rock climbing and scenic driving throughout the surrounding Tonto National Forest. The Coconino National Forest roads and trails are emasculate. Even better after snowmelt as there is alot of running water. We stopped on many occasions to sample the bounty of the Tonto Basin, much like the ancient Salado would have. Lost Dutchman State Park Loop via Crosscut Trail, Railroad Tunnel Washington Park Houston Mesa Payson, 15312 E Red Bird Rd, Scottsdale to [FR 413] **4WD**, Maricopa County, AZ, USA, Skunk Tank Loop via Skunk Creek Trail #246 and Cave Creek Trail #4, Three Mile Wash Dispersed via Apache Trail, Sheep Bridge Dispersed via Cave Creek Road [FR 24] and [FR 269], 8769 E Granite Pass Rd, Scottsdale to 6232 E Rancho Del Oro Dr, Maricopa County, AZ, USA, Battleship Mountain Loop via Dutchman Trail #104, Hackberry Mesa Loop via Hackberry Spring Trail and Second Water Trail #236, Queen Creek Bridge to Rice Water Canyon, Pinal County, AZ, USA, Sheep Bridge Dispersed via [FR 41] **4WD**, 6109 E Apache Trl to Lost Dutchman State Park, Pinal County, AZ, USA, Lost Dutchman State Park Loop via Crosscut Trail and Prospector Trail, AZT Top of Rim from near Washington Park Trailhead, Track (8/15/20) Horton Creek 2 Houston Mesa, The Rolls OHV Area - FR 143 Access via El Oso Road, 32105 N 143rd Pl, Scottsdale to 13848 E Cavedale Dr, Maricopa County, AZ, USA, [FSR 13] to North Bush Highway, Maricopa County, AZ, USA, Flatiron w Nancy Karen Karen (5/21/20, 7:30:58AM), See Canyon Trailhead, on Highline westUSA, Crystal Spring Loop via Dutchman Trail #104 and Bluff Spring Trail, 743-803 S Beeline Hwy - Doll Baby Ranch Rd - Crackerjack Rd - Crackerjack Rd, Bronco Trailhead, Maricopa County to Trail Tank, Yavapai County, AZ, USA, Pine Trailhead Parking to Trail #28, Pine, AZ, USA, Plow Saddle Spring Loop via Reavis Ranch Trail #109 and Frog Tanks Trail #112, The road to Seven Springs than to Bloody Basin, North Bush Highway to [FR 403] **4WD**, Maricopa County, AZ, USA, Cave Creek Trail to Skunk Tank Trail Loop, Picketpost Mountain via Picket Post Mountain Trail, Battleship Mountain Loop (2/14/20, 7:56:46AM), Water Users Recreation Site to Stewart Mountain Dam Heliport, Maricopa County, AZ, USA. hotter than up in the forest. This is an excellent hike with unique terrain compared to the surrounding areas, due to it's higher elevation. The Tonto features some of the most rugged and inherently beautiful land in the country. Jan 25, 2020 near Apache…, AZ. Campers awake to a scenic backdrop of rugged bluffs, saguaro cactus and desert skies. Water crossings - the rocks weren’t super slick but any time you cross it can be dangerous. Then down into Phoenix across desert some 20 degs. Avoid at all costs. A beautiful quick, easy trail on horseback. Tonto National Monument provides a place to explore and learn about a unique part of America's heritage. There is a large wash that is about half or more of the trail that has pretty deep sand, 4WD necessary for this part. Terrain better than most for their paws. In the summer, gain elevation to a cooler climate to escape the desert heat. Hiking up to the Wave Cave in the Superstition Mountains Tonto National Forest. more. Very quick drive. Trail is rocky but not too steep. Trailhead Traveler’s Recommended Hikes in Tonto National Forest. The national forest includes eight wilderness areas and both high and low country, making it easy to find cooler temps at higher elevations in the summer, and winter-friendly hiking trails down low. Great vistas all the way up and fantastic 360 degree views from the top. Track (3/26/20, 12:48:51PM) Butcher Jones OHV- via popercito entrance. A great short hike for the early morning or evening. This was our first hike up Siphon Draw Trail towards Flatiron. The Tonto National Forest (TNF) offers a wide variety of riding opportunities for Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) enthusiasts. United States ; Arizona (AZ) Things to Do in Arizona ; Tonto National Forest; Search. This was my first hike in AZ and it was very challenging. After the mountains were recently on fire it’s like the heat still remains. This is a great quick trail not to difficult at all the scenery is nice not mind blowing but a good fast paced heart rate raising hike kinda rocky in certain parts lots of sand so be aware of that great leg pump lol. Drove it this afternoon with my Toyota FJ. All stock have BFG AT. Contact regional ranger stations for additional information. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Well worth it. It's like having a hiking buddy who's been there before and knows the way in your backpack. All of the tough stuff is in the first half of the ride. This hike has zero redeeming qualities, just a long walk across a boulder strewn, cow pie riddled, thorny wasteland. We stayed over an hour just browsing the exhibits. The 3,300 foot elevation accounts for the mild temperatures that are ideal for camping, mountain biking in the Coconino National Forest, hiking along the Verde River, canoeing, picnicking, fishing, or just wading in the cool water. Great hike to bring your dog with. There are six National Forests in Arizona, and this one is the largest. We love AZ, and we will do this drive again when we get back out there. I led a group from Valle Del Oro Hiking Club to cut back intrusive vegetation especially cat claw and thorn bushes as well as cactus. I've hiked thousands of miles in Arizona over the years but at only 7ish miles (round trip), this is the most difficult hike I've ever done in Arizona. 3.0 out of 5 stars More overnighters than casual day hikes. Explore a National Treasure! We took our dogs and so only hiked to the saddle and enjoyed views of the peak. Apr 19, 2017 near Gold Camp, AZ. Great off-road experience for a stock JKU! The Fremont Saddle Loop via Peralta Canyon Trail located in the Superstition Wilderness Area draws in hikers during the non-summer months. Great hike for a cool day. Started to late in the day and only made it just up the granite rock past the waterfall. L. L. Ward. Whether you want to do-it-yourself or join a guided trip, the recreation page contains many options for making the most of your visit to the park. It was a very demanding hike through dry river beds; up canyon wall; and returning back down. Whether you ride motorcycles, ATVs, UTVs/Side-by-Sides (SxS), or full-size four-wheel drive (4WD) vehicles, the TNF provides a diverse scenery ranging from the Saguaro cactus-studded Sonoran Desert to pine-forested mountains beneath the Mogollon Rim. Nice out and back hike with a lot of climbing. Tonto National Forest, Arizona: Hours, Phone Number, Tonto National Forest Reviews: 4.5/5. You can find more information here or call the local ranger station for most current availability. ★ Sweet trail! Awesome Trail...there was no water in the river yet...I miss that part...another month or two there will be :D. Good hike along old unused 4WD road and then along the newer 4WD road to the top. Water everywhere - flowing creeks and springs. Beautiful colors and lots of water! It is slow going and not really a difficult trail but don’t take anything with highway tires. In early June of 2019, the Woodbury fire burned more than 123,000 acres of the Superstition Mountains in Tonto National Forest. There was still plenty of moving water which surprised both of us. Extraordinary and an amazing experience. Our service project will focus on much-needed recovery efforts on wilderness trails in the Eastern Superstition Mountains. Review of Tonto National Forest. Jan 25, 2020 near Apache…, AZ. Workman Creek Falls - Sierra Ancha Wilderness, Tonto National Forest. Beautiful! Beautiful trail one hour drive from Phoenix. Stock 4x4 can make this with no problem. When the dry creek bed meets the southern boundary fence between the Tonto National Monument and National Forest land, we are at the hiking trail "half-way point". A lot fun, some difficult parts. The national forest includes eight wilderness areas and both high and low country, making it easy to find cooler temps at higher elevations in the summer, and winter-friendly hiking trails down low. Poison ivy - plenty of this seen along creek banks. Learned so much about the type of rock formed over millions of years here, so fascinating. I would not advise this hike in the rain! We started early to witness the early desert beauty and avoid the heat. Helpful. Jan 25, 2020 near Apache…, AZ. Lots of water, snow and elevation changes! Track (3/2/20, 3:33:20PM) Return from Cave! Table Mesa Road...all is passable! Three weeks ago, we drove from Tucson to Flagstaff, taking the scenic back route. This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC. The waterfall was flowing which was cool. Wide easy trail with gentle slope up to the old road tunnel. We clocked about 12 miles and took us about 2.5 hours in a lifted JKU with 33s. 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