Arizona Trailblazers Hiking Club
Clover Creek Day Hike
| when |
Trip Report :
August 3, 2019
|
| |
Trip Report :
June 16, 2018
|
| |
Trip Report :
June 26, 2010
|
| where |
Mogollon Rim |
| the hike |
Clover Creek is part of the West Clear Creek Wilderness area and is a tributary of
West Clear Creek. The trail is an easy walk along Clover Creek as it meanders through
a beautiful green meadow with stands of Ponderosa and Douglas Fir on both sides as
it winds down toward West Clear Creek. We will cross the creek often (easy crossings)
and there are some fallen trees over the trail but overall it is fairly easy going.
Eventually the canyon starts to narrow and there are cliffs of Kaibab Limestone on
both sides.
We’ll plan on going as far as we can without major bushwhacking or rock climbing.
At the end point we will stop for a lunch and rest break.
Please bring raingear with you, since this is summer monsoon season and intermittent
rain showers are a very real possibility.
|
| distance |
5 miles |
| time |
3-4 hours |
| EC |
+-500' elevation change |
| elevations |
6846' (Trailhead) to 6686' (creek) |
| type |
round trip |
| starting at |
| Clover Creek Trailhead |
34° 30.461' N, 111° 21.745' W [NAD27]
|
|
| on trail |
100% — Clover Creek Trail |
| rating |
"C"
Rate yourself as a hiker. |
| cost |
Sharing gas expenses with the driver.
The club also allows voluntary contributions of $5 per non-member. |
| dogs allowed |
no |
| weather |
Pine |
| meet |
7:00 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 |
| • |
From the intersection of State Routes 87 and 260 in Payson, go north on SR 87 to
mile marker 285, where you’ll see a small parking lot and a series of Forest
Service signs in a meadow.
|
| • |
Do not park here. Instead, turn left onto Forest Road 142, set your odometer and
drive 0.5 mile to an unmarked road on the right—it’s easy to miss;
look for a sign that reads “no trailers, dead end."
|
| • |
Do not take FR 611. Stay right. |
| • |
Continue on the unmarked road for 0.6 mile to the trailhead marked by a brown metal
cattle gate and a sign that reads “closed to all vehicles.”
|
| • |
Go through (or around or under) the gate and follow the informal footpaths along the water.
|
| • |
When you get to the ruins of an old bridge/dam, veer left and follow the creek as far as
you like.
|
| • |
100 miles from Fountain Hills to Clover Creek (200 round trip). |
|