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Blue River Trail - # 101
**NOTICE** - The Northwest portion of the Blue Range Primitive Area where this trail is located has been affected by the Wallow Fire of June 2011. The area is currently open to public use and entry - HOWEVER – some trails may not have been assessed or recently maintained for hazards associated with the fire, so plan your trip accordingly, and call the Alpine Ranger District for the latest information.
Please keep in mind that the area may be affected by the wildfire for many years to come, and continue to be prone to hazards such as falling trees, flooding and burned out stump holes. The environment you will be entering is highly susceptible to rainstorms and wind events. Any time you enter the forest, you should be aware of your environment and changing weather conditions.
You are responsible for your own safety! Always look up, look down, and look all around.
At times appearing to be more of a “suggested route” rather than a developed trail in character, the Blue River Trail # 101 follows the river north to south (or vice-versa) You will be able to find your way because the trial stays within the river corridor, but be prepared for frequent river crossings. The Blue River Trail # 101 also junctions with the lower ending points of a number of other primitive area trails beginning up on US 191, so may be accessed by taking these from their respective trailheads down to the Blue River.
Although the northern trailhead and portion of the trail is located on the Alpine Ranger District, the southern trailhead at XXX Ranch, southern portion of the trail, and Hannah Hot Springs are located on the Clifton Ranger District.
Please practice Leave No Trace camping techniques, and treat all water before drinking.
Trail Log (In Miles):
From the north:
· 0.0 Trailhead at end of Blue River Road # 281
· 2.0 Junction with Raspberry Trail # 35 to the west
· 3.7 Junction with Strayhorse Trail # 20 to the west
· 6.3 Junction with Cow Flat/Bear Valley Trail # 55 to the east
· 9.6 Junction with Alma Mesa Trail # 14
· 13.6 Junction with Overland Trail # 310
· 17.2 Terminus at XXX Ranch Trailhead
At a Glance
| Usage: | Light |
|---|---|
| Best Season: | April to October |
| Restrictions: | No mechanized vehicles (including mountain bikes) are permitted in the Primitive Area. |
| Information Center: |
Alpine Ranger District (928) 339-5000 |
General Information
Directions:From the northern trailhead: Take U.S. 180 east from Alpine, AZ for 3 miles. Turn right (south) at FR 281 (County Road 67004) and continue south for 32 miles to the Blue River Trailhead.
From the southern trailhead: Take U.S. 191 north from Morenci to milepost 188.8, and turn right onto F.R. 475 (Juan Miller Road). Follow F.R. 475 approximately 15 miles to the junction with F.R. 475C (XXX Ranch Road). Turn left onto F.R. 475C and follow to the end of the road at XXX Ranch.
Activities
Day Hiking
Backpacking
Horse Riding
Swimming
Blue River Trail # 101 Access to Hannah Hot Springs – Clifton Ranger District
The south end of the trail from the trailhead at XXX Ranch provides the shortest access to Hannah Hot Springs, a popular destination for backcountry hot springs enthusiasts.
About three miles upstream the old Baseline Ranger Station will be on the east side of the river. There are several signs, including one describing the Blue Range Primitive Area, which begins at Baseline. Not much remains of the Ranger Station remains beyond the hearth and the root cellar. There is a small campsite at Baseline, but beware of “widow-makers” from the large cottonwood trees around the area.
The mouth of Little Blue Creek is about a ½ mile upstream of Baseline on the east side of the river. There is no trail up Little Blue, and horse travel is strongly discouraged. The route consists of rock-hopping and numerous creek crossings. Expect to get your feet wet.
The mouth of Hannah Springs Canyon is approximately 2 ½ - 3 miles up Little Blue on the east side of the canyon. There is a short “Box” at the mouth of Hannah that requires wading through waist deep water. There are several smaller pools to wade through in the ½ mile or so to the hot springs.
At the hot springs there are two campsites, one on each side of the creek. There is a long, shallow soaking pool fed by the hot springs. Beware that the water is very hot: it comes out of the ground at 133 degrees F., and doesn’t cool much before reaching the pool.
This area is covered by the Fritz Canyon and Dutch Blue quadrangles, as well as the Blue Range Wilderness and Primitive Area map.
For more information about Hannah Hot Springs please contact:
Clifton Ranger District
Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests
397240 AZ 75
Duncan, AZ 85534
(928) 687-8600