Maverick Trail

The Maverick Motorized Trail spans almost 50 miles through the diverse habitats of the Lakeside Ranger District.  From flat, open grasslands to hilly and rocky terrain, the trail winds through mostly cool and green ponderosa pine forest and some piñon-juniper woodland, with breathtaking views of the White Mountains.  Starting from the Sky Hi Trailhead north of Pinetop-Lakeside in the pines, the trail junctions with the Porter Mountain Loop trails just past the Panorama Trailhead.  The Porter Mountain Loop Trail offers the opportunity to add about 11 additional miles, making the total trail over 60 miles to the Clay Springs Trailhead. The entire trail and loop is marked with orange diamond-shaped markers, however the marker color is changing to brown.  Another trailhead provides direct access to the Porter Mountain Loop; it is located at the Timber Mesa Trailhead just off Porter Mountain Road. An intermediate trailhead, the Burton Trailhead on the main Maverick Trail, is located at the intersection of Burton Road and Lone Pine Dam Road. Camping is not allowed at the trailheads; however, there are dispersed camping opportunities along the trail, provided users bring their own water.  

Future plans for the trail include extensions east to the Springerville area and west to the Heber-Overgaard area, with loops into the towns along the route.  Ask the local ranger district for the status of these extensions. Construction and maintenance of the Maverick Trail is a joint effort between the Forest Service and volunteers from the White Mountain Open Trails Association. Volunteers also assist in educating the public about safe and ethical use of OHV trails.

Directions:

Sky-Hi Trailhead: From State Highway 260 in Lakeside, turn east onto Buck Springs Road. Travel about 0.5 miles and turn north (left) onto Sky Hi Road. Travel about 2 miles to the trailhead.

Timber Mesa Trailhead:  From State Highway 260 in Lakeside, turn east onto Porter Mountain Road.  Travel about 1 mile and turn east (right) to stay on Porter Mountain Road at the junction with Penrod Road.  Travel about ½ mile to the trailhead on the north (left) side of the road.

Panorama Trailhead:  The beginning directions are the same as for the Timber Mesa Trail Trailhead.  Staying on Porter Mountain Road, continue past the Timber Mesa Trailhead for about 4 ½ miles to the trailhead on the north (left) side of the road.

Burton Trailhead:  From State Highway 260 west of Show Low, turn north-east onto Burton Road and travel about 4 ½ miles to the trailhead on the left at the junction of Burton Road with Lone Pine Dam Road.

Clay Springs Trailhead:   From State Highway 260 west of Show Low, turn north on Sawmill Road (Old Highway 160) .9 mile, then right .5 mile to the trailhead.

A map of the trail can be found here or may be obtained at the Lakeside Ranger District Office.

At a Glance