KP Creek Trail

Pacheta Falls is spectacular and worth the several hour drive over washboard roads and you explore the high country of Arizona.  You will be on the White Mountain Apache Reservation, so please take note: You need to purchase a Special Use PermitNo swimming allowed4x4 with additional clearance recommendedThis is very rugged country. Finding the falls can be difficult and the terrain hazardous. ...

As you travel down Forest Road 116, approximately 200 yards before the trailhead, you will see the remains of the old Thompson Cattle Ranch - hence, Thompson Trail  #629. The trail begins atop an old railroad grade, a reminder of the very successful logging days that went on for many years. The railroad, which ran from Maverick (ghost town) to Holbrook was owned by Southwest Lumber Mill.  Today...

From the trailhead you start your hike with views over the East Fork of the Little Colorado River as it winds through grassy meadows filled with summer wildflowers. About 1.5 miles in the trail heads into the forest, on your left before you enter the forest is a nice primitive campsite where we stayed the night. Entering in the forest you will climb a steep 800 ft gain over the next half mile t...

Already starting off at elevation (about 9,560 feet above sea level), you first travel through a large stand of aspen trees during the beginning third of the trail.Depending on the season, the aspen can provide pleasant cover in summer, miraculous colors in fall and eerie creaking as the wind flows through their naked branches in spring and winter. You'll rarely come across many (if any) other ...

Cosmic Campground International Dark Sky Sanctuary (CCIDSS) is the first International Dark Sky Sanctuary located on National Forest System lands and also in North America.  Situated on the western edge of the Gila National Forest & Wilderness the Cosmic Campground offers a 360-degree, unobstructed view of the night sky with very little light pollution. As one might expect the Cosmic Campgr...

The West Baldy Trail is one of the most beautiful (and popular) hikes in Arizona. It is reminiscent of many alpine hikes you might find scattered across Colorado. The trail follows the Little Colorado River most of the way and the sound of trickling water complements the gorgeous mountains and grasslands. Even if you’re not completing the full 7-mile hike, there are many places along the first ...