Passage #26 - Hardscrabble Mesa

Location:  Twin Buttes to the Pine Trailhead

Length:  12.0 miles

Southern Trailhead:  Twin Buttes - FR 194
- GPS Coordinates:  34.35914° N, 111.55736° W

Northern Trailhead:  Pine Trailhead - Hwy 87
- GPS Coordinates:  34.37442° N, 111.44327° W

Trail Route Description:  This passage begins on FR 194 near Twin Buttes. The route follows FR 194 and then turns right onto a two-track that follows some powerlines. The route follows this rocky road in a southeast direction, then turns to the right onto FR 251 and veers away from the powerlines and then back near them. The route turns to the south and descends down to a gate, turns east and passes East Tank and another gate. There is a contour around the upper end of Pine Tank Gulch and then the road reaches the Walnut Trail (#251). This trail descends past Ridge Tank and around to Oak Spring and a trail junction (#16). From here the trail climbs out of Oak Spring Canyon, descends past Bradshaw Tank and then reaches Pine Creek. A short ways downstream the trail heads east again and loops around to Highway 87. After crossing the highway it runs up to the Pine Trailhead.

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:  Water can usually be found at Oak Spring. Water can sometimes be found in some of the stock tanks along the route.

Notes/Warnings:

• All water along this passage should be purified prior to use.
• Please respect all livestock operations in this area.

Resources:

• USGS Topographic Maps: Cane Springs Mountain and Buckhead Mesa.
• Tonto National Forest map.
• BLM Information Center maps.
• "Day Hikes & Trail Rides in Payson's Rim Country" by Roger and Ethel Freeman, Gem Guides Book Co., Baldwin Park, CA., ISBN 1-889786-24-1.

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 Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85004   (602) 417-9300.

Current Trail Information:
4/2007 - No known problems as of this date.