West Fork Trail #94
West Fork Trail travels through a checkerboard of forest and meadows. View a map.
At a Glance
Usage: | Medium |
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Restrictions: |
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Water: | Bring your own drinking water, as the water sources in the area are not treated. |
Information Center: | Springerville Ranger District (928) 333-6200 TTY: (928) 333-5397 |
General Information
Directions: From the Eagar stoplight, travel west on AZ Highway 260 for 9.6 miles to AZ Highway 373. Turn left (south) on AZ Highway 373 for 4.3 miles. Turn right on Osborne Road. The trailhead is .2 mile on the left. Limited (1-2 cars)Parking:
Limited (1-2 cars)
Activities
Mountain Biking
Difficulty Level: | Moderate |
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Day Hiking
If you start from the Osborne trailhead, the trail follows a small creek, which is surrounded by aspen and ponderosa pine trees. The trail takes a gradual uphill grade to Badger Pond, also known as Trail Springs Tank. Wild roses and raspberry bushes grow near the tank, offering a treat to the eye as well as the palate from mid to late summer.
Past the pond, the trail splits and merges again in less than a quarter of a mile. Here comes the most difficult part of the hike as the trail rises through steep and rocky ground. It is a short climb however and the trail soon levels out. You will notice that Forest Road 87 parallels the trail for a short stretch.
After leveling off, the trail crosses two dead-end roads that come off Forest Road 87. Either one of these roads offer an excellent place to park as you begin your hike.
From this point to Sheeps Crossing, the trail is generally level, except for a break. The trail continues through a checkerboard of forest and meadows. Deer are often seen browsing at the forest edge.
Just a quarter of a mile from Sheeps Crossing, the trail crosses the gravel portion of AZ 273. Cross this section of road with care, as people tend to drive very fast. The trail follows an old railroad bed and ends at a parking area on the ridge above Sheeps Crossing. From this parking area, the trail becomes the West Fork Trail into the Mt. Baldy Wilderness.
USGS Maps: 258SW, Greer, AZ; 280NW, Big Lake NW, AZ.
Elevation desc | 8,500 feet to 9,000 feet |
Difficulty Level: | Moderate |
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Horse Riding
Difficulty Level: | Moderate |
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