Passage #24 - Red Hills

Location:  The Park to the East Verde River

Length:  14.3 miles

Southern Trailhead:  The Park - junction of Trail #23 & #24
- GPS Coordinates:  34.14643° N, 111.49997° W

Northern Trailhead:  The East Verde River - LF Ranch
- GPS Coordinates: 34.22915° N, 111.51299° W

Trail Route Description:  This passage begins at The Park at the intersection of the North Peak Trail (#24) and the Mazatzal Divide Trail (#23). From here the trail heads northwest, crosses the upper ends of two City Creek side canyons, passes Knob Mountain, and drops down to the junction with the Brush Trail (#249). Following this trail it crosses a drainage, climbs up the other side and then curves around to the north and drops down to Houston Creek. After crossing several drainages the trail reaches a saddle on Bullfrog Ridge and then switchbacks down into Bullfrog Canyon. It climbs part way out, becomes an old two-track road and then begins descending along the side of the canyon. It turns to the right and becomes a trail again. The trail works its way past Copper Mountain and comes to a road. This is the entry to the LF Ranch. The trail loops around to the east of the ranch and then reaches the East Verde River.

Difficulty:  Moderate

Season(s):  All year (snow can be present at higher elevations after winter storms and lower elevations can be quite warm in summer).

Water:  The only reliable water on this passage is the East Verde River. There may also be seasonal water in some of the drainages the trail crosses.

Notes/Warnings:

• All water along this passage should be purified prior to use.
• Mountain bikes are prohibited in the Mazatzal Wilderness.

Resources:

• USGS Topographic Maps: North Peak and Cypress Butte.
• Tonto National Forest map.
• BLM Information Center maps.

For more information, contact:

• The Passage Steward
• Tonto National Forest, Payson Ranger District, 1009 E. Highway 260 Payson, AZ 85541   (928) 474-7900.
• BLM Information Center, One North Central Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85004   (602) 417-9300.

Current Trail Information:
4/2007 - Due to continuing damage from the 2004 Willow fire, trail users should bypass this section. Instead, follow Trail #23 (the Divide Trail) north to the City Creek trailhead at East Verde River. At the river follow the road west for 4 miles to the LF Ranch area and continue north on the Arizona Trail from there.