KEY INFO
LOCATION East Verde River to Twin Buttes
DISTANCE 11.4 miles one-way
DAY-TRIP OPTION See turnaround note in the trail description.
SHUTTLE RECOMMENDATIONS Southern and northern access points
DIFFICULTY Easy
LAND MANAGER Tonto National Forest, Payson Ranger District, www.fs.usda.gov/tonto, 928-474-7936
RECOMMENDED MONTHS September–April
GATEWAY COMMUNITY See Payson.
GEOLOGY HIGHLIGHTS Not applicable
This passage makes a consistent, gradual climb from the East Verde River Valley through high desert terrain characterized by juniper and piñon pine. The climb is constant: you will gain 2,661 feet while losing only 87 feet over the next 11.4 miles. Keep an eye out for animals that inhabit this ecosystem, including javelina and wild turkeys. Because the climb away from the East Verde River to the top of the mesa is so rocky, it’s wise to camp near the river. There is also a nice campsite in a drainage between Whiterock Mesa and Saddle Ridge. From there, the terrain is incredibly rocky again until near the end of the passage.
From the junction of the doubletrack coming from the Doll Baby Trailhead and the AZT singletrack, follow the road northeast 70 yards to a sign on the right with an AZT marker. This sign also indicates Polk Spring and Whiterock Spring. Leave the road here and follow a singletrack east on an old roadbed. Use cairns to follow the old roadbed through a bend to the left (northeast) and pass through a gate. In another 0.2 mile, avoid a singletrack cutting off toward the ranch to the left (northwest), continue about 10 yards to a rocky streambed on the left (due north), and follow it. If you miss this turn and continue straight ahead, you’ll run into the river within about 100 yards, and you’ll know you’ve gone too far.
Immediately after you cross through another drainage, the trail bends left (northwest) to parallel the river, which is 40 yards to the right. In less than 0.25 mile, several large cairns lead out of the right side of the drainage and over to the bank of the East Verde River. As you pass by a painted wooden sign for the ranch (which may be missing), look across the river for a trail climbing the opposite bank, just downstream from a solid-rock streambed where spring water flows into the river. The water depth varies depending on the season and recent weather—wade across at your own risk. Climb the bank on the north side of the river, pass through a fence, and follow the trail as it climbs to the north-northeast.
Passage 25 is notable for its steady ascent from the East Verde River toward the Mogollon Rim.
Soon you’ll find a sign for Polk Spring, about 30 yards away and behind a gigantic tree. If you walk a couple hundred yards southeast from here, you’ll find an open meadow (the last one for at least 3 miles) that provides good camping. Just make sure to camp at least 200 feet away from the water.
From the sign for the spring, follow a singletrack to the left (northwest). This faint trail soon becomes much clearer—if you get confused, head for the high, rocky butte to the northwest. A very rocky road leads to and ascends Polles Mesa. The grade steepens considerably as the AZT climbs through loose volcanic rock and then flattens on the mesa. The trail virtually disappears here; bear north-northeast and look for the occasional cairn. They are there, often just below the high vegetation. The ground is so rocky that it would be difficult to find a place to camp.
The trail passes by the west side of Red Saddle Tank, which is usually dry. Cairns mark the trail as you continue north. In 1 mile, pass through a gate, and take a 90-degree turn to the right (east) in 0.1 mile at the base of Whiterock Mesa. At Whiterock Spring, the AZT makes a sharp turn to the left (northwest) for a brief, steep climb onto the aptly named Whiterock Mesa.
TURNAROUND NOTE: Day-trippers will enjoy this turnaround spot, which affords incredible views, a reliable water source, and moderate distance (3.8 miles from the beginning of the passage).
As you slowly gain elevation, a few pine trees start to make an appearance. Climb along the mesa to where the trail descends briefly to a drainage (usually dry) between Whiterock Mesa and Saddle Ridge. There is a nice place to camp here. The climbing resumes on the rocky trail as you make your way up Saddle Ridge, a spit of land above Rock Creek on the east and The Gorge on the west. Soon you leave the Mazatzal Wilderness, and cairns lead to a crossing of two fences. From here, you enter Saddle Ridge Pasture, a broad expanse sparsely covered with small trees.
The trail passes just to the right (east) of Saddle Ridge Pasture Tank. Finally, the trail reaches FR 194 at a T-intersection, the end of Passage 25.
Bikes are prohibited on this passage, which lies entirely within the Mazatzal Wilderness. For detailed information about scenic mountain biking routes around wilderness areas, visit aztrail.org.
From the town of Payson, at the intersection of AZ 87 and Main Street, take Main Street west for 2 miles, which turns into Country Club Drive. Near the end of Country Club Drive, the road passes a sanitation plant, crosses a creek, and continues another 6 miles on a newly paved road, referred to as Doll Baby Ranch Road or LF Ranch Road depending on which map you are using.
At this point the road becomes a dirt doubletrack (FR 406). Continue on FR 406 for approximately 3 miles, passing the City Creek Trailhead and Doll Baby Ranch, eventually arriving at a locked gate that marks the Doll Baby Trailhead, where parking and camping are allowed.
From the trailhead, walk around the gate and hike on the doubletrack for 3.9 miles. The road winds around the hills and eventually levels out in the valley near the ranch. The AZT intersects the road from the west as a faint singletrack.
If you want to hit the trail from here, please follow the trail description in reverse order. From AZ 87, turn west into the town of Strawberry and continue west on Fossil Creek Road for 2.8 miles. Turn left (south) onto FR 428, continue for almost 1 mile, and then turn right onto FR 194. Follow FR 194 for 4.2 miles. AZT markers indicate the end of Passage 25 and the beginning of Hardscrabble Mesa, Passage 26.
Diversity defines the AZT experience. As the elevation changes, so do the biotic communities along the trail.