KEY INFO
LOCATION Pine Trailhead to Mogollon Rim
DISTANCE 19.3 miles one-way
DAY-TRIP OPTION Day-trippers could plan numerous loops and outand-back options using forest trails and roads. Also see the turnaround note in the trail description.
SHUTTLE RECOMMENDATIONS Southern access point, Geronimo Trailhead (FR 440), and northern access point
DIFFICULTY Strenuous
LAND MANAGER Tonto National Forest, Payson Ranger District, www.fs.usda.gov/tonto, 928-474-7936
RECOMMENDED MONTHS March–November
GATEWAY COMMUNITIES See Pine and Strawberry.
GEOLOGY HIGHLIGHTS Not applicable
The first 17 miles of Passage 27 follows the Highline Trail, a National Recreation Trail that is visually stunning, historically significant, and brutally challenging. The AZT heads east from the Pine Trailhead, and once it reaches Washington Park Trailhead, it leaves the Highline Trail and makes a steep climb to the top of the magnificent Mogollon Rim. The Highline Trail dates back to the 19th century, when ranchers traveled back and forth on horseback to neighboring homesteads. The trail passes in and out of areas burned in the tragic 1990 Dude Fire, in which six firefighters died. It crosses numerous drainages and several springs as it traverses the steep sandstone slopes of the rim, with outstanding views to the south and great glimpses of the rim itself. There are many good locations for camping, and several creeks have flowing water most of the time, but they occasionally dry up. Its numerous access trails and evenly spaced trailheads (see Alternate Access) make this passage ideal for day-hiking.
As you leave the Pine Trailhead and make the mild climb out of the Pine area, the trail rambles about 6 miles through mostly arid forests. At 8.3 miles, you reach the popular Geronimo Trailhead with nice stands of pine and majestic fir trees, and a few good campsites nearby. Nearing the end of the passage and reaching the Washington Park Trailhead, you leave the Highline Trail and gain more than 1,000 feet on a 2-mile climb to General Springs, an area with plenty of great camping locations.
Because of the fires and ensuing monsoon rains, many portions of the Highline Trail have suffered extreme tread damage due to erosion. The entire trail is being studied for potential realignments.
From the Pine Trailhead and parking area, follow the signage for a short distance to access the AZT. Once you reach the junction with the AZT, head east and stay on the Highline Trail (Trail 31). You quickly pass trail junctions for Trail 28 and Trail 27 and reach a high vantage point on a ridge with distant landmarks to the south, including the Mazatzal Mountains and the craggy Four Peaks. The trail continues to roll across steep terrain until it reaches Red Rock Spring, where there is a place to camp a short distance to the left (northeast). About 70 yards beyond the spring, continue east on the Highline Trail as the Red Rock Trail (Trail 294) cuts right to descend to the Control Road in the valley floor.
TURNAROUND NOTE: If you’re interested in a great day hike, consider leaving a car at Red Rock Trailhead for a 5-mile point-to-point adventure.
Next, you pass Pine Spring and cross through a number of drainages, eventually descending to an intersection with the old roadbed of Geronimo Trail. Turn right (east) and continue descending on the roadbed, which soon parallels a large stream. In 0.2 mile, follow the stream across an intersecting roadbed, turn right (east), and descend through a beautiful forest of very large ponderosa pines. Cross the two channels of Webber Creek to arrive at Geronimo Trailhead and the access road (FR 440).
After you leave Geronimo Trailhead, head northwest and, in about 0.5 mile, ignore a roadbed paralleling the trail on the left, and continue on the singletrack. Eventually you reach a trough of water from Bear Spring and a T-intersection that looks like a road. Turn right (south) and, where the road bends left, stay on singletrack to the east. The trail occasionally approaches steep, rocky walls of the rim, passing through thick patches of crimson-stemmed manzanita, alligator juniper, oak, and ponderosa pine. Pick your way across two broad sections of red slickrock, and then cross Bray Creek.
Soon afterward, you come to East Bray Creek, a section of trail that is being restored after years of erosion. Continue on to a crossing of North Sycamore Creek. The trail is somewhat faint on the other side of the creek; walk downstream about 20 yards and look for a faint tread heading east. The trail rambles through cool pine forests and across several more streams, and then it begins a steady descent through a series of switchbacks, terminating at a road junction.
Views of the Mogollon Rim, one of Arizona’s defining landforms, can be enjoyed throughout most of Passage 27.
Cross the road and stay to the left, noting the hiker sign that marks the continuation of the AZT on singletrack. Over the next 0.5 mile, the trail swings around the south side of a ridge before it turns back to the north, passes under a power line, and continues to the north-northeast. Follow the singletrack as it descends and crosses a small drainage before emerging from the trees just north of the Washington Park Trailhead.
The AZT leaves the Highline Trail here and heads north along the Colonel Devin Trail (Trail 290) on an old road. To reach the Washington Park Trailhead, turn right (southeast), and descend 50 yards to the parking area.
The AZT now parallels the headwaters of the East Verde River. A singletrack on the right (east) leaves the road you’ve been climbing. A sign indicating the Tunnel Trail (Trail 390) and the Colonel Devin Trail marks this intersection. Turn onto the single-track, which immediately crosses the stream and then curves left (north-northeast).
Shortly after the trail begins to climb steeply, you’ll see a trail on the right that leads 0.25 mile to an uncompleted railroad tunnel, which was intended to carry ore from central Arizona mining towns through the Mogollon Rim to Flagstaff. To continue on the AZT, follow a switchback to the left (northwest). The trail crosses back over a drainage that is East Verde River, soon to arrive on top of the Mogollon Rim and the southern edge of the Colorado Plateau (7,200 feet). Continue north less than 0.1 mile to cross FR 300, near the historical marker for the Battle of Big Dry Wash, and then walk another 0.4 mile to the parking area at General Springs Cabin and the end of Passage 27.
Short sections of this trail are fun on a bike, but you’ll spend most of your time walking and pushing your bike. Mountain bikers consistently rate it their least favorite passage. For more information about mountain biking along the Arizona National Scenic Trail, visit aztrail.org.
Drive south of Pine on AZ 87 for 0.6 mile, and turn left (east) to reach a large parking area and the trailhead.
If you want to hit the trail from here, please follow the trail description in reverse order. From the intersection of AZ 87 and AZ 260 north of Pine, drive east 2.6 miles on AZ 87, then turn right (south) toward FR 300. Go 0.1 mile and turn left onto FR 300. Avoid the frequent side roads, and drive 12 miles on FR 300 to a turnoff on the left (north), at a historical marker for the Battle of Big Dry Wash. Turn left and follow a power line 0.3 mile to General Springs Cabin. The road curves right, to a small parking area and the trailhead.
Drive south of Pine on AZ 87 for 2.2 miles and turn left (east) at a sign that says CONTROL ROAD (FR 64). Drive 9.3 miles and turn left on FR 32. Continue 3.3 miles, then turn right at a sign for Washington Park Trailhead. Make an immediate left turn and drive 1 mile to the large parking area at the trailhead. Follow the trail from the north side of the parking lot. In about 100 yards, you reach the AZT at the intersection of the Highline Trail (Trail 31) and the Colonel Devin Trail (Trail 290).
Anyone traveling along the remote passages of the AZT’s Central Section will be treated to unforgettable bursts of color and contrast during every season.