Arizona's White Mountains

Description: The trail immediately crosses the West Fork of the Little Colorado River, so roll up your pants and prepare to get your feet wet, because there is no bridge here. Once across, the trail goes almost straight up toward Amberon Point, rising nearly 600 feet in elevation in just under an eighth of a mile. Engleman spruce and Douglas fir trees are thick on either side of the trail here. The chattering of squirrels should inspire you through the climb. Once at Amberon Point, catch your breath and consider that the most difficult part of the trail is behind you. The trail continues on a more reasonable grade toward Marble Spring, offering a glimpse of the Greer Basin. Near Marble Spring, the trail skirts and actually passes through an area that was logged in 1988.

The trail soon leaves the forested area and cuts across wide meadows, detouring around cienegas, or marshy areas. Waterfowl can be found in these wet spots through the summer and early fall. Frogs sing away the summer as garter snakes hunt in the tall grass. Elk are common sights, cooling themselves in the cienegas in the warm summer afternoons. The trail continues through open country, bordered by tall trees, eventually following an old railroad grade near Colter Reservoir. These railroad beds are common through the Springerville and Alpine Ranger Districts. they are what is left of the Maverick line of the Apache Railway system, which hauled lumber to the mill in McNary after World War II. Posts set in the ground with a hiker symbol help delineate the trail's course through the meadow.

Past Colter Reservoir, the trail crosses the gravel portion of AZ 273 before ending across the road in Gabaldon Campground. Use extreme caution while crossing AZ 273 for people tend to drive very fast on this stretch of road. This portion of the trail ends at Gabaldon. Past Gabaldon, the trail takes you into the Mount Baldy Wilderness Area.

Attractions and Considerations: This trail is open to hiking, horseback riding and mountain bicycling. It is closed to motorized vehicles. The trail continues past Gabaldon Campground and into the Mount Baldy Wilderness area. Mountain bikes are not allowed past the wilderness boundary. Please be considerate of other trail users. Carry your own drinking water or purifying equipment, as none of the water sources in the area are treated.

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