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Arizona Hiking Trails
Arizona Hiking Trails
Babe Haught Trail | Tonto National Forest |
Babe Haught Trail | Tonto National Forest |
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Babe Haught Trail TR 143 | Hatchery Trailhead | Tonto National Forest
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Map and Directions
Rimsurfer Trail Rating and Hike Review
TONTO NATIONAL FOREST
Babe Haught Trail TR 143
TRAILHEADS (TH)
Hatchery TH
Forest Road (FR) 300 (Coconino Forest Trailhead)
ACCESS POINTS:
South end: Hatchery TH on (FR) 289
North end: Forest Road (FR) 300
Trail use: Moderate
Trail difficulty: MOST difficult
Trail length: 3 miles
Estimated hiking time: 2.5 hours (one way)
Season of Use: Spring - Fall
Elevation change: 1260 feet
Babe Haught Trail TR 143
TRAILHEADS (TH)
Hatchery TH
Forest Road (FR) 300 (Coconino Forest Trailhead)
ACCESS POINTS:
South end: Hatchery TH on (FR) 289
North end: Forest Road (FR) 300
Trail use: Moderate
Trail difficulty: MOST difficult
Trail length: 3 miles
Estimated hiking time: 2.5 hours (one way)
Season of Use: Spring - Fall
Elevation change: 1260 feet
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792 photos
More trail info:
USDA Forest Service • Map & Info --
For closures or specific information: RANGER DISTRICT: Payson Ranger Station 1009 East Highway 260 Payson, Arizona 85541 Phone (928) 474-7900
Things to be aware of: The trail is narrow in places with loose trail mix so travel with caution.
Regional area of Babe Haught Trail : in the Tonto National Forest, near Payson, Pine, Strawberry, Christopher Creek, Gila County, Arizona.
My trail rating: 4.5
My Trail Review:
Fall 2006
Started up the trail about 8am. I was the first one on the trail and only met one other small group on the way down, It had been forecast for sunny skies today but changed to a 20% chance of thunderstorms and it was a cool damp and cloudy morning. The trail was moist and wet from the rain last night but still easily traversed and the air was moist, cool and mountain air fresh.
This trail is exotic in in it's beauty and diversity. Starting in the canyon there is tall lush green grass that was wet from the previous rain and soaked my lower pants legs as I walked the trail through it. Moving up the canyon a little more it looks almost high desert with lush green shrubs and small plants. Then you break through to large vistas that cover most of the canyon valley. On the one side you feast your eyes on vistas of multicolored red rock rim outcroppings high above and on the other you see siloulette images of peaks and mountains in the far off distance. There are views of lush green forest areas and then the stark almost eerie contrast the few remaining burnt out dead pine trees from the 1990 Dude fire against the lush but short new growth of the forest. This is a living lesson in forest rebirth all the way to the top.
The trail climbs steadily at a good incline most all the way up. Some sections are steep with loose stone and very narrow and you can look almost straight down into the canyon. Sections in here reminded me of old western movies I saw as a kid. When you come out at the top of the rim it flattens out and winds over a rough rocky area that was also severely burned in the Dude fire. I found this area difficult to follow the trail as the stone markings are occasionally covered from view by new pine growth but the trail tends to wind to the north and to the right and can be easily found again by searching for man made trail stone pile markers. When you clear this area you move into the top of the rim forest area with large standing pines, a small pond and little creeks.
We took a break here and I found I was cold so I put my jacket on as it was at least 20 degrees cooler in the forest than on the side of the rim. I always layer my hiking clothes for the rim area because temperatures can very greatly from the canyon floor to the top of the Rim. Silver is good to go in any weather as his heavy collie fur coat keeps him cooler in the sun and warmer in the cold. He never complains as long as there is plenty of water and a few "people" treats along the way he is in trail doggie heaven.
The sun came out from behind the clouds on the way down and opened up a whole new range of colors and beauty. I found the trip down to go quickly and offer many eye popping vistas and views. I saw a few birds, a butterfly or two, a lizard and the swift trail crossing of the rear end of something "sleek and black" without a noticeable tail that darted out from the brush and across the trail ahead of me moving down toward the Hatchery. Immediately after that moment I heard one dog bark at the Hatchery below then in about 5 minutes the hound dogs began their "predator alarm" barking and did not let up for some time. I figure what ever it was it was passing down through that rim side past the Hatchery and up the other side. It was just one of those adventure moments that make the rim so exciting and "natural".
This trail is one of my favorites, it offers a wide rich diversity of hiking experiences while being a longer, steeper and more difficult trail to hike. I find it challenging and invigorating to complete.
Enjoy the Rim!
Max and Silver
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MAP AND DIRECTION TIPS
Go east out of Payson, Arizona on Highway 260 an excellent scenic Rim Country highway which you will travel east for some time on. When you see Kohl's Ranch come up on your right slow down and watch for the Tonto Creek Road turnoff on your left. It will take you up to the Hatchery Trailhead. Follow signs to parking.
MAP AND DIRECTION TIPS
Go east out of Payson, Arizona on Highway 260 an excellent scenic Rim Country highway which you will travel east for some time on. When you see Kohl's Ranch come up on your right slow down and watch for the Tonto Creek Road turnoff on your left. It will take you up to the Hatchery Trailhead. Follow signs to parking.
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This RimSurfer Arizona hiking trail photo gallery review features the Babe Haught Trail in the Tonto National Forest of Arizona.
