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A National Recreation Trail that allows for visits in multiple canyons between 260 TH and Pine TH.


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Map Key

50.6

Miles

81.4

KM

Point to Point

6,918' 2,108 m

High

5,365' 1,635 m

Low

6,490' 1,978 m

Up

7,804' 2,379 m

Down

5%

Avg Grade (3°)

51%

Max Grade (27°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · River/Creek · Views · Wildlife

Description

The Highline National Recreation Trail includes scenic vistas of rim canyons, brush-filled hills and far-off mountains. Unusual rock formations and wonderful stands of Ponderosa pine line this epic trail. Take note, however, how fire has sculpted this environment. Fire proves an important aspect of this wild environment. The Dude Fire of 1990 burned portions of the forest along the Highline Trail; thus, this trail is an ideal place to observe how our forests renew themselves after a burn event.

The Highline Trail, established in 1870, was used to travel between homesteads and to attend school in Pine. Zane Grey (famous author) and Babe Haught (western pioneer) used the Highline Trail while hunting.

From See Canyon Trailhead, this trail ascends to the Mogollon Rim. If you start this trail from Horton Springs, make sure to fill up with water there as there are rarely other opportunities along the way. Luckily, the Horton Springs are amazing. You are in the dry southwest and the water starts right out of the rocks.

The area is quite popular and we ran into many visitors who were also enjoying the springs. I was told by a ranger that these springs are a result of water that comes from the top of the Mogollon Rim.

In contrast to the See Canyon Trail, this trail has a definite southwestern feel to it. On this portion of the trail, visitors will start in pine forest and then move into juniper and manzanita. During the second half of the trail, the earth and rocks become red and there are some cactus along the trail. This portion is relatively flat.

There were a few unmaintained trails we found that go to the top of the rim. A few of these are listed on old USGS topo maps, but it's best to stick to the main trail to avoid erosion and damage.

Flora & Fauna

Saw a hummingbird, not sure what species

Contacts

Shared By:

Steve Jackson

Trail Ratings

  4.2 from 5 votes

#10795

Overall
  4.2 from 5 votes
5 Star
40%
4 Star
40%
3 Star
20%
2 Star
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1 Star
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Trail Rankings

#327

in Arizona

#10,795

Overall
9 Views Last Month
3,143 Since Feb 16, 2016
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

0%
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50%
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Photos

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
Yes, this is Arizona! My favorite section of the loop.
May 13, 2019 near Star Va…, AZ
A few miles to go. Weather can change quick on the Rim. Sunny to rain to hail to lighting, back to rain....
May 13, 2019 near Star Va…, AZ
The rim towers above you.
Feb 2, 2019 near Pine, AZ
Result of the 2017 Highline fire. You can see the burned area to the right and unburned area to the left. The trail was widened to make a fire break in this area, so you often walk right down the border of the burned and unburned areas.
Feb 2, 2019 near Star Va…, AZ
Horton Creek
Nov 20, 2017 near Star Va…, AZ
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Current Trail Conditions

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Check-Ins

May 18, 2024
Kristin Newell
Apr 16, 2020
John Schneider
Nov 2, 2018
Leon Maurer
Great trail. Hard to follow in parts. I did the whole trail from east to west in 3.5 days, and my GPS trace came out to 57.29 mi, according to Strava
Jun 11, 2017
korina riggin
Great trail. Well worth the 10 year wait. 3 days/2 nights. An additional day/night would have been nice. Had a wonderful time. Would do it again. 55.7mi
May 16, 2017
Holly Hobbit
lost trail by fr 144 and walked out rather than get lost 1185mi
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