Arizona Trailblazers Hiking Club
Gooseberry Springs Day Hike
| when |
Trip Report :
July 7, 2018
|
| |
Trip Report :
June 18, 2016
|
| where |
Mormon Lake Village |
| the hike |
This will be a one-way hike along the Arizona Trail on the San Francisco Plateau.
The hike is relatively flat through forest with some more open areas at elevations
7000 to 7500 ft.
We will hike the length of Passage 30 segment a, and then down the Navajo
Springs Trail, ending in Mormon Lake Village.
This will be a car shuttle. We start at Gooseberry Springs Trailhead, just off FR 3
north of Mormon Lake Village, and hike north for 7.9 miles to the junction with the Navajo
Springs Trail. We turn right and descend 400 feet in 1.3 miles to the Village.
The trail starts just 0.2 miles east of FR 3 at a standard large AZT metal sign.
Elevation at the trailhead is 7450.
The trail heads north on a very narrow single track trail that looks like it was
formed by equestrians. In a quarter mile we cross FR 3 and continue north.
Eventually we merge onto a double track, pass through a gate, and continue.
The trail is relative flat, and easy walking.
There are a couple of ponds just west of the trail, some fallen trees that do not
pose too much challenge, and 4 gates in the first 2 miles.
The Navajo Springs trail has a mud bog just below Navajo Springs, but we
were able to negotiate around it OK. The lower part is rockier but is easy.
Elevation at Mormon Lake Village is 7100.
|
| distance |
9.6 miles |
| time |
6-7 hours |
| EC |
+401'-772' elevation change |
| elevations |
7270' (Fulton Canyon) to 7582' (Navajo Spring) |
| type |
one way |
| starting at |
| Gooseberry Springs Trailhead |
34.82130° N, 111.43177° W
|
|
| on trail |
100% — Arizona Trail, passage 30 |
| rating |
"C+"
Rate yourself as a hiker. |
| dogs allowed |
no |
| cost |
Sharing gas expenses with the driver.
The club also allows voluntary contributions of $5 per non-member. |
| weather |
Happy Jack |
| meet |
6:30 AM in the parking lot of
Target Center on the south side of Shea Blvd., about a mile
west of Highway 87 (Beeline). For those leaving their cars behind, please park
up against the northernmost curb facing Shea Blvd. opposite the Target store.
|
| drive |
| • |
North on SR 87 through Payson, Pine and Strawberry. |
| • |
Continue to the intersection with FR 3 near Clint’s Well. |
| • |
Turn left and continue north on FR 3 to just past Mile Post 312. |
| • |
The trailhead is on the right (east) and the turnoff is well marked
as Gooseberry Springs with a smaller sign for FR 92.
|
| • |
Go 0.2 miles on an unpaved road that is passable by all vehicles. |
| • |
Look for the AZ Trail sign on your right. Park there. |
| |
|
It’s also possible to reach the Gooseberry Trailhead starting from
Fry’s at I-17 & Bell:
|
| • |
Take I-17 north 93 miles to exit 306 (Stoneman Lake Road). |
| • |
Continue east on Stoneman Lake Road for 17 miles to FR 92 and then
continue as above (the first six miles of this road are paved and the next 11
miles are well-maintained gravel suitable for most cars).
|
| |
|
Here are the comparative times and distances to the Gooseberry Springs
Trailhead as calculated by Google Maps:
|
| • |
Leave Target in Fountain Hills and take AZ-87: 2 hours 12 minutes, 122 miles.
|
| • |
Leave Target in Fountain Hills and take I-17: 2 hours 21 minutes, 136 miles.
|
| • |
Leave Fry’s at I-17 & Bell and take I-17: 1 hour 52 minutes, 111 miles.
|
|
Please indicate your preference when you sign up for the hike.
|
|
We will drive as many cars as needed to Mormon Lake Village and return to
Gooseberry Trailhead to start the hike.
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