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White Mesa Trail

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WHITE MESA TRAIL  The view from the top of White Mesa From the hyper popular Bell Trail, the imposing, vertical cliffs of White Mesa appear as an unsurmountable wall of stone.   Hike goes to the top of the mesa:center horizon Rising over 1,000 feet above one of the most heavily visited trails in Coconino National Forest 40 miles south of Flagstaff, the mesa is composed of colorful layers of red sandstone, buff-colored sediments and a cap of dark volcanic rock.   Trail departs Bell Trail 1.7 mile from the trailhead For those willing to make a detour from the water-centric trail that traces perennially flowing Wet Beaver Creek, the mesa’s secrets may be explored by way of the White Mesa Trail #86.   The only tricky spot on the trail passes a rock jam White Mesa towers over the Bell Trail To get to it, first hike 1.7 miles on the Bell Trail.   Along this easy stretch that follows a wide dirt road that was once used to access mid-20 th century ranch operations, kee...

BUCKHEAD MESA

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I'm posting my backlog of pre-pandemic hikes. Please observe all CDC health & safety recommendations and travel advisories while recreating on public lands. Ideally, stay close to home and away from congested trails until conditions are improved. BUCKHEAD MESA Tonto National Forest. View of the Mogollon Rim from Buckhead Tank Travel quietly & respectfully in this important wildlife area On a mesa 700 feet above the gorge of Pine Creek and Tonto Natural Bridge State Park, a bumpy back road meanders among juniper-dotted meadows, pine-oak woodlands and open rangeland. Waterfowl float in Buckhead Tank The unmarked dirt road that traverses the flat expanse of Buckhead Mesa 10 miles north of Payson in Tonto National Forest is open to hikers, equestrians and motorized vehicles equipped to handle rough conditions.   A hike on the short, easy course has many points of interest and options to extend the journey on intersecting 4x4 roads or by visiting the nearby park. A bucolic scene...

PYEATT DRAW

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I'm posting my backlog of pre-pandemic hikes. Please observe all CDC health & safety recommendations and travel advisories while recreating on public lands. Ideally, stay close to home and away from congested trails until conditions are improved. PYEATT DRAW Tonto National Forest. A slick rock passage in Pyeatt Draw There are two ways to hike through Pyeatt Draw, the hard way and the easy way.   The major drainage that spins off of Ellison Creek a few miles northeast of Payson near the popular Water Wheel recreation site is an entertaining mix of dirt passages, water-ravaged channels and obstacle-loaded corridors. Rock ledges close in on Pyeatt Draw Although the challenging woodsy route is mostly used by OHV enthusiasts, it’s scenic qualities and varying terrain offer hikers a quirky alternative to more traditional trails. The ragged course is intertwined with a primitive forest road that traces the banks above the draw, crossing it several times. The trek begins at a dirt pull...