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Tonto National Forest

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Gems in Tonto National Forest - 2

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gem Favorite Cliff jumpers take advantage of the scenery for excellent action shots (we saw one person jump from the top of the waterfall)

Fossil Creek Falls

(16) Pine, AZ
gem Favorite This view gives you an idea of the creek valley, one of the basins, and the general terrain along the Hieroglyphics Trail.

Hieroglyphs

(18) Apache…, AZ

Recommended Routes in Tonto National Forest - 19

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RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Favorite The saddle above Flatiron Trail, lit by the city, about 2:30AM. For me, the moment the camera earned its pack weight.
Difficult

Superstition Ridgeline

11.2 mi 18.1 km • 3,431' Up 1045.89 m Up • 3,286' Down 1001.49 m Down

Apache…, AZ
RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Favorite Along the Peralta Canyon Trail, you'll have a spectacular view of the mountains behind you as you're on your way to Weaver's Needle.
Intermediate/Difficult

Peralta Out and Back

4.5 mi 7.2 km • 1,338' Up 407.81 m Up • 1,337' Down 407.66 m Down

Gold Camp, AZ
RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Favorite Along the Peralta Canyon Trail, you'll have a spectacular view of the mountains behind you as you're on your way to Weaver's Needle.
Difficult

Weavers Needle Loop

12.7 mi 20.4 km • 2,643' Up 805.52 m Up • 2,637' Down 803.87 m Down

Gold Camp, AZ
RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Favorite This view gives you an idea of the creek valley, one of the basins, and the general terrain along the Hieroglyphics Trail.
Intermediate

Hieroglyphic Trail #101

3.0 mi 4.8 km • 571' Up 174.16 m Up • 571' Down 173.96 m Down

Apache…, AZ
RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Favorite Cliff jumpers take advantage of the scenery for excellent action shots (we saw one person jump from the top of the waterfall)
Difficult

Fossil Springs Trail

8.7 mi 14.0 km • 1,426' Up 434.7 m Up • 1,426' Down 434.76 m Down

Pine, AZ
RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Favorite Peralta Canyon Trail.
Intermediate/Difficult

Miners Needle Loop

8.5 mi 13.6 km • 1,190' Up 362.85 m Up • 1,220' Down 371.9 m Down

Gold Camp, AZ
RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Favorite It's a gorgeous view from the top of the Black Mesa Trail.
Intermediate/Difficult

Second Water/Black Mesa/Dutchman Loop

9.3 mi 14.9 km • 994' Up 302.89 m Up • 994' Down 303.06 m Down

Apache…, AZ
RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Favorite The Four Peaks segment of the AZT offers great views of Theodore Roosevelt Lake.
Difficult

Four Peaks

12.4 mi 19.9 km • 2,074' Up 632.12 m Up • 2,074' Down 632.16 m Down

Tonto B…, AZ
RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Favorite Picket Post Summit offers a pretty unique spot to sit and enjoy the view.
Difficult

Picket Post Mountain Trail

4.3 mi 7.0 km • 1,957' Up 596.36 m Up • 1,957' Down 596.36 m Down

Superior, AZ

Tonto National Forest Hiking

  • 886 Miles 1,425 Kilometers of Trail
  • 22 Recommended Routes
  • 2 Gems Gems
  • 10 Easy Trails Easy Trails
  • 62 Intermediate Trails Intermediate Trails
  • 27 Difficult Trails Difficult Trails
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Areas Within Tonto National Forest

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Trails in Tonto National Forest - 77

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2.4 mi 3.9 km #1Siphon Draw Trail #53
Difficult
Apache Junction, AZ
Difficult
Apache Junction, AZ 41 
8.0 mi 12.9 km #2Superstition Ridgeline Trail
Very Difficult
Apache Junction, AZ
Very Difficult
Apache Junction, AZ 7 
6.2 mi 10.0 km #3Peralta Canyon Trail
Intermediate/Difficult
Gold Camp, AZ
Intermediate/Difficult
Gold Camp, AZ 13 
2.7 mi 4.4 km #4Butcher Jones Trail #463
Intermediate
Apache Junction, AZ
Intermediate
Apache Junction, AZ 8 
3.9 mi 6.4 km #5200 Trail
Difficult
Payson, AZ
Difficult
Payson, AZ 3 
14.0 mi 22.6 km #6AZT - Passage 24 - Red Hills
Difficult
Payson, AZ
Difficult
Payson, AZ 2 
1.5 mi 2.4 km #7Wind Cave Trail
Intermediate/Difficult
Apache Junction, AZ
Intermediate/Difficult
Apache Junction, AZ 19 
21.8 mi 35.0 km #8AZT - Passage 23 - Mazatzal Divide
Intermediate/Difficult
Tonto Basin, AZ
Intermediate/Difficult
Tonto Basin, AZ 1 
2.7 mi 4.4 km #9Massacre Grounds Trail
Intermediate
Apache Junction, AZ
Intermediate
Apache Junction, AZ 5 
0.4 mi 0.7 km #10Lower Cliff Dwelling Trail
Intermediate
Tonto Basin, AZ
Intermediate
Tonto Basin, AZ 3 

Photos of Tonto National Forest - 206

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Dawn from the top of Flatiron Trail
Jan 25, 2020 near Apache…, AZ
The saddle above Flatiron Trail, lit by the city, about 2:30AM. For me, the moment the camera earned its pack weight.
Jan 25, 2020 near Apache…, AZ
Moonbow on way up Carney slope.
Jan 25, 2020 near Apache…, AZ
Moonbow halfway up the initial Carney Spring climb.
Jan 25, 2020 near Apache…, AZ
Along the Peralta Canyon Trail, you'll have a spectacular view of the mountains behind you as you're on your way to Weaver's Needle.
Apr 19, 2017 near Gold Camp, AZ
The Four Peaks segment of the AZT offers great views of Theodore Roosevelt Lake.
Mar 27, 2017 near Tonto B…, AZ
Peralta Canyon Trail.
Oct 12, 2016 near Gold Camp, AZ
We hiked a portion of the Highline Trail, form the See Canyon TH. An "in & out" hike that totals about 6.3 miles. There will be scenic views, big trees, big manzanita, and huge outcroppings of red rock.
Aug 7, 2019 near Star Va…, AZ