It is believed to be the largest natural travertine bridge in the world. We rode through the forest from Holbrook down to Phoenix. There was still plenty of moving water which surprised both of us. Roosevelt lake, cliff dwellings, natural rock formations, huge cliffs, and great views. Wide easy trail with gentle slope up to the old road tunnel. Jan 25, 2020 near Apache…, AZ. Finished the whole thing in about 4 hours. Table Mesa Road...all is passable! Tonto National Forest, Arizona: Hours, Phone Number, Tonto National Forest Reviews: 4.5/5. The views were amazingly spectacular. The Tonto National Forest, encompassing 2,873,200 acres (1,162,700 ha; 11,627 km2), is the largest of the six national forests in Arizona and is the fifth largest national forest in the United States. ★. Nice and cool 65 degrees. Great hike for a cool day. The forest road out to sheep’s bridge is a rocky road. Sonoran Desert cacti and flat lands slowly give way to the highlands of the Mogollon Rim. It was very quiet and made the hike even more enjoyable. Great views on the top but not along the way. It’s way away from everything so be prepared. This hike is not for the faint of heart but those who do it will see some beautiful Sonoran Desert terrain. In early June of 2019, the Woodbury fire burned more than 123,000 acres of the Superstition Mountains in Tonto National Forest. After the mountains were recently on fire it’s like the heat still remains. Find rest at any of the dispersed campsites scattered throughout. Learned so much about the type of rock formed over millions of years here, so fascinating. The Fremont Saddle Loop via Peralta Canyon Trail located in the Superstition Wilderness Area draws in hikers during the non-summer months. Got the picture up against the canyon. climbing and large rocks on trail but the views are fantastic, Fremont Saddle Loop via Peralta Canyon Trail, Mark’s Montana Mountain Ride: Upper Tank, Queen Valley to Reavis Trail Canyon, Pinal County, AZ, USA, New River to Cave Creek (12/2/20, 10:32:44AM), Back way to Mount Ord - Partial (4/12/20), Superstition Mountains Queen Valley 4/2/20 9:07:03 AM. This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC. The 2020 Sears Fire scorched part of the Deer Flat area of Tonto National Forest northeast of Phoenix, but hiking there still has great scenic value. Beautiful views, cactus were in bloom. Tonto's many lakes make it particularly great for hot weather: There are plenty of opportunities to enjoy the water by paddling, fishing, and swimming. Did not find it difficult more easy. Started to late in the day and only made it just up the granite rock past the waterfall. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. So far this year, fires have burned nearly 225,000 acres of the Tonto National Forest, so officials have closed the area to prevent more fires. 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. A New Jersey native died while hiking in a national forest. Remember, going down is much more difficult then going up. Michael Benedetto La Marca, 39, was hiking at Peralta Trailhead in Arizona's Tonto National Forest when he died Oct. 3, according to his obituary. West Pinto Creek, just east of Superior, Arizona, is a popular recreation destination on the Tonto National Forest. Colorful pottery, woven cotton cloth, and other artifacts tell a story of people living and using resources from the northern Sonoran Desert from 1250 to 1450 CE. In the summer, gain elevation to a cooler climate to escape the desert heat. 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. L. L. Ward. This was my first hike in AZ and it was very challenging. Completely surrounded by the nearly three-million-acre Tonto National Forest, with pine-forested slopes, spring-fed creeks, and box canyons, the quiet town makes an excellent base for hiking. Super easy. For information on getting to Tonto National Monument, visit the Directions page. For more information visit the Hours & Seasons page. While I recommend always having extra water, you could do this with a litre. Any stock SXS can do this ride. A bit technical. Make sure you have a high clearance vehicle and or someone to help guide you through certain parts. This was our first hike up Siphon Draw Trail towards Flatiron. It was my 1st time hiking completely around Weaver’s Needle. Jan 25, 2020 near Apache…, AZ. Water crossings - the rocks weren’t super slick but any time you cross it can be dangerous. A joy to ride on. Rate trail easy/moderate due short distance. 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". We choose to enjoy this slightly longer, but very beautiful drive from Phoenix to Flagstaff. It's like having a hiking buddy who's been there before and knows the way in your backpack. Lunch in Cave Creek was great. We had to walk through water about 2 feet deep at one point in order to continue on. Didn’t need my head lamp. 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. Thanks For Watching, please like and Subscribe to my channel! There are six National Forests in Arizona, and this one is the largest. A lot fun, some difficult parts. Nothing too strenuous and lots of beauty. Miles of hiking and equestrian trails in this area allow access to beautiful scenery and the Superstition Wilderness, a 160,000-acre landscape of rugged desert plants, haunting canyons and dramatic volcanic upthrusts. The trail extends farther and wraps around to the road but we just turned around because we were hungry. Elevation 7,540 feet. Well worth it. It took us much longer than by using I-10 and I-17, but it was such a beautiful drive on State Highway 188. Crosscut Trail Head, Maricopa County to Massacre Falls Trail, Pinal County, AZ, USA, Massacre Falls with Water Fall (2/23/20, 10:47:35), Bartlett Dam Road [FR 19] to East Adobe Circle, Rogers Canyon Spring Loop via Rogers Canyon Trail #110, Treasure Loop via Jacob’s Crosscut and Prospectors View Trails, La Barge Pool Loop via Boulder Canyon Trail #103, First water to Dutchman through boulder canyon loop, Track (1/7/20, 10:27:23AM)Hackberry Spring trail, Mountain Lion Cave (2881) 1/7/20, 8:42:12AM), Track (12/24/19, 7:30:30AM)phx/pay/cve/phx, Charlebois Spring via Dutchman Trail #104 and Bluff Spring Trail, Cave Creek to Sheep Bridge to Bloody Basin Road - 14-Dec-2019, Crosscut Trail Head to First Water Road, Maricopa County, AZ, USA, Montana Mountain Loop via Forest Road 650, Weaver's Needle Loop via Bluff Spring Trail, Four Peaks OHV Trail to Roosevelt (10/6/19, 10:13:28AM), Barnhardt Trailhead, Gila County, AZ, USA, Colcord Mtn to HellsGate Wilderness to Young to Colcord lookout, Four Peaks Saddle and Decent (5/27/19, 9:30:36AM), 11740 E Groundcherry Ln, Scottsdale to Camp Creek, Maricopa County, AZ, USA. Great hike. Parking at Canyon Lake Marina. Scramble to the tunnel but the rest was pretty easy, for the most part! Many wildflowers. We traveled from Tonto Basin AZ, trailering our UTV’s 90 miles to the AZ Rim. ★ The Tonto National Forest is comprised of more than two and a half million acres of lush land. Terrain better than most for their paws. Off roading in my Jeep. We clocked about 12 miles and took us about 2.5 hours in a lifted JKU with 33s. Spring of a wet year was a great time to make this hike. ★ Nothing challenging. Spend days on end hiking, biking, and ATVing through the backcountry wilderness of 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. But don't forget your compass! Hello friends! Read more. Sweet trail! 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. Butcher Jones Trail #463 – 5.0 miles out and back Unlike most of the hikes in Tonto National Forest, you’re sure to see water on this trail with gorgeous views of Saguaro Lake. Otherwise lots of sand. ★ Semi full moon. A FJ Cruiser and or Jeep Wrangler can make it. Wanted to get to the lake but ran out of time. With year-round access, permits are strictly enforced and set in place to protect fragile environments from overuse. The bridge stands 183 feet high over a 400-foot long tunnel that measures 150 feet at its widest point. Very bumpy on the first part of the ride from hwy 17...this part is at a challenge level of a 5-6 but after that it’s a 1... we’ll worth it and very beautiful! 3.0 out of 5 stars More overnighters than casual day hikes. Great off-road experience for a stock JKU! This was also the only hike I’ve been on when I didn’t meet a single person on the trail. Trail is rocky but not too steep. Tonto National Forest, where the clash took place, is the largest in Arizona at more than 2.9 million acres. Open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed December 25). Great off-roaring trail. I wouldn’t recommend a solo trip through here. Photos of Tonto National Forest - 193. Review of Tonto National Forest. This is about one hour ride. Book an Upper Cliff Dwelling Tour. Absolutely beautiful hike. Enjoyed the desert scenery. Watch water level and prepared to be out ALL DAY. Great rock formations. This hike has zero redeeming qualities, just a long walk across a boulder strewn, cow pie riddled, thorny wasteland. A great day hike if you’re up for it. It's not hard driving, just scenic with lots of cactus and rolling desert views. Drove it this afternoon with my Toyota FJ. I arrived at 0545. Great fall or winter hike with a young family. Snakes - saw 2 Arizona Black Rattlesnakes on different parts of the trail. This is an excellent hike with unique terrain compared to the surrounding areas, due to it's higher elevation. But walking the route is much more revealing. Took narrow side trails and exited on Beeline highway. There is hiking, camping, water activities, etc. Phoenix, Arizona, is the gateway to the \"urban\" Tonto National Forest, which boasts landscapes ranging from cactus-strewn desert to forested mountains. Just two other hikers ahead of me. Well worth taking comparing to the major freeways. Stopped about 3 times to get out so my wife and daughter could take pictures. ★ It is the largest national forest in the state of Arizona and the fifth largest in the entire country. Signage on NF roads and trails are awesome. We stopped on many occasions to sample the bounty of the Tonto Basin, much like the ancient Salado would have. No lockers. Kind of annoyingly rocky. We turned off a few times to take photos, but since we wanted to get to Flagstaff before dark, we were reluctant to linger. The waterfall trail is wonderful, a fairly steep climb down, then a manmade wooden bridge takes you to a tunnel with water cascading from above, after the bridge ends, some people continue & scramble over rocks to get a closer look, and take some great pics! ★ We took our dogs and so only hiked to the saddle and enjoyed views of the peak. Went with our rock club, we are extremely lucky to have a husband/wife geologist team! Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. Not one for the summer months. Track (3/26/20, 12:48:51PM) Butcher Jones OHV- via popercito entrance. Accessible all year. Various overnight permits and day-use options are available. More than 14,000 acres of the forest he died in was consumed by wildfire on the day of his death, according to the U.S. Forest Service. Neat views of Queens Canyon and Creek. Superstition and Four Peaks Wilderness Areas [Tonto National Forest] (National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map, 851) by National Geographic Maps | Jan 1, 2019 4.3 out of 5 stars 44 You can find more information here or call the local ranger station for most current availability. First trip with new tires and lift kit. A stock suv with better tires is totally fine. Also had a lot of quail and rabbits. Those more adventurous types can rappel the falls. Got stuck at one deep sand pit but was able to crawl out in 4-Low. I suspect the best time to visit would be after heavy rains. Spotted some mule deer. Start by heading to the national forest's page for recreation conditions as trail status can change seasonally. The Dude Fire of 1990 burned portions of the forest along the Highline Trail; thus, this trail is an ideal place to observe how our forests renew themselves after a burn event. There are many turnouts, picnic area, campgrounds, fishing spots, etc. It's about like Flatiron, but a little less dramatic. High clearance and 4wd a must. Well worth the hike! The FJ looks like a Tonka Toy. Learn more here. Hiking up to the Wave Cave in the Superstition Mountains Tonto National Forest. hotter than up in the forest. Dogs are permitted in the national forest. Overall easy and fun!! Bring plenty of water, especially during the hotter months, as on-trail water sources become limited. Phoenix, Arizona, is the gateway to the "urban" Tonto National Forest, which boasts landscapes ranging from cactus-strewn desert to forested mountains. Nice out and back hike with a lot of climbing. ★. A part of the trail goes along the Arizona Trail, making it fun to dream about taking a much longer walk. Parts of the Tonto National Forest remain closed through at least the end of the month due to currently active wildfires and high fire danger. Awesome trail. The Lake itself is a gem, so unexpected in the beautiful Sonoran Desert. Was a nice challenging trail to complete in 5 hours, even for a veteran. Miner's lettuce and peppergrass could find a place at the local salad bar! Photo opportunities abound. 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. The developed portion of Dead Horse Ranch State Park covers 423 acres. Make sure vehicle is up to par before trip. The desert floor is attractive during the spring, fall, and winter months when temps are mild. The Visitors Center was excellent, one of the best we've ever been to. Tonto National Forest. One of my top 2 rides ever! Lockers recommended. Jan 25, 2020 near Apache…, AZ. The last mile or so to the top, has some hand over hand climbing involved that will make many hikers uneasy. You have to mind your footing and the trail is rocky. Definitely worth putting on your list. Workman Creek Falls - Sierra Ancha Wilderness, Tonto National Forest. You could drive the ragged road into Shannon Gulch near Payson if you didn't mind beating up your car. Looked like a great jeep trail with lots of off shoot challenges. The hike is medium/moderate and well travelled. All of the tough stuff is in the first half of the ride. Jan 25, 2020 near Apache…, AZ. The view down the canyon with setting sun is excellent. This was an experience. Drove through and checked out several spots on my way to New Mexico, very glad I did. Going back to make the summit in a couple days though! Some river bottom and wash areas that were very rocky. Poison ivy - plenty of this seen along creek banks. Took about 4 hours to get from I17 to cave creek but we were mostly driving with short stops. ★ Having said that, the view from the Flatiron was amazing! Helpful. Tonto National Monument showcases two Salado-style cliff dwellings. This is a great wheeler trail! Some things to watch out for: I would highly recommend this ride. Lots of water, snow and elevation changes! At over 2.9 million acres, the Tonto National Forest is the largest national forest in Arizona, and the seventh largest national forest among 154 USDA National Forests. Great vistas all the way up and fantastic 360 degree views from the top. Beautiful trail one hour drive from Phoenix. We did it with a jeep Beautiful ride I must do and also a Badge of Honor, for Jeep, 10-18 trail is open all the way from Cave Creek FR24 to FR41 to I17/W. The Tonto National Forest (TNF) offers a wide variety of riding opportunities for Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) enthusiasts. Great, quick out and back. Campers awake to a scenic backdrop of rugged bluffs, saguaro cactus and desert skies. Water was flowing at almost every creek crossing and flowers were blooming. more. Great area for camping as well. The Tonto National Forest, encompassing 2,873,200 acres (1,162,700 ha), is the largest of the six national forests in Arizona and is the fifth largest national forest in the United States. Better choice for a weekday than mid-day Saturday. We love AZ, and we will do this drive again when we get back out there. (I only had a few sips, at the scenery was all I needed to drink.) There are some very technical areas of you wish such as The Waterfall but you can bypass. Went with our rock club, we are extremely lucky to have a husband/wife geologist team! Hieroglyphics Trail 4/5/19 Great variety of terrain. As it has been such a hot summer in the desert, we loved climbing up into the coolness of the Ponderosa Pine forests at the higher elevation. Beautiful colors and lots of water! Tonto National Monument provides a place to explore and learn about a unique part of America's heritage. You should find the trail in great shape. This was probably the most technical trip with the guys yet. 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