Weather: 88ยบ, humid, partly cloudy
About this Hike: See Canyon has been on the bucket list for a while now. A last-minute deal at Kohl's Ranch outside of Payson meant this was to be another rim weekend.
See Canyon trail traverses the Mogollon Rim, and if you're daring (as we were), allows you to hike up the entire rim in just under four miles.
There are two trailheads for #184. One is in the little community of Christoper Creek just off AZ-260 E, and this is the one we opted to park at. From Christopher Creek Loop, you simply turn onto FR 284 (confusing, since the trail number is 184) and follow it to a large parking area. FR 284 is a good dirt road with a few sections that might be considered light rock crawl. Other than that it's good, packed dirt.
The other trailhead is on top of the rim. It branches off from FR-300, also known as Rim Road. Think of this like the Grand Canyon: Get the easy downhill part over with first, and then hike back up it afterward!
We're the type who like to eat the frogs first... This meant climbing the rim first and then taking it easy on the way down. The hike starts in typical, beautiful Arizona high-country forest. There are several crossings over Christopher Creek, which had just the right amount of water following weeks of monsoon activity this summer. It's noteworthy to mention that the numerous washes along this trail were otherwise dry.
Trail 184 eventually begins its steady ascent to the top of the rim. The worst is at the end, with a steep section of light scree that requires some careful hand and foot work to ensure stable footing. Shortly thereafter the sound of OHVs becomes more apparent. Rim Road comes into sight.
The hike down is a nice way to decompress. Christopher Creek is at ~5,900 feet, while the Rim Road trailhead sits at close to 7,900 feet. This hike involves nearly 2,000 feet of elevation gain in just under four miles!
While we didn't see abundant wildlife on this hike, we did meet a few interesting fellow hikers. These included people with loppers and axes that mercifully were not something out of a horror movie... In fact, they were part of a service organization that maintains the trails. A sign denotes this not too far from the trailhead. Their service was appreciated, as soft, monsoon-fed grasses were making for some light bushwhacking in spots.
Last year some people at Beaver Creek near Sedona were water angels to another hiker that was with me (and didn't prepare accordingly). Our hike might've been cut short if they hadn't saved the day with an extra water bottle. I've wished to pay this forward, and today was our chance. We met a friendly, but exhausted couple on trail in need of some extra water. Word of advice: Trail #184 is NOT a mountain biking trail. Unless, that is, you like carrying your bike up 2,000 feet over nearly four miles.
Epilogue: This hike took about four hours total. Next on the agenda was a drive up Rim Road to Bear Canyon Lake for some kayaking. One more beautiful canyon-bound, pine-enshrouded, rim lake checked off the bucket list.
On the way up to Bear Canyon Lake we spotted the Rim Road trailhead for See Canyon #184. We also spotted a familiar couple now on their mountain bikes pedaling along Rim Road. Kind of ironic...
About this Hike: See Canyon has been on the bucket list for a while now. A last-minute deal at Kohl's Ranch outside of Payson meant this was to be another rim weekend.
See Canyon trail traverses the Mogollon Rim, and if you're daring (as we were), allows you to hike up the entire rim in just under four miles.
There are two trailheads for #184. One is in the little community of Christoper Creek just off AZ-260 E, and this is the one we opted to park at. From Christopher Creek Loop, you simply turn onto FR 284 (confusing, since the trail number is 184) and follow it to a large parking area. FR 284 is a good dirt road with a few sections that might be considered light rock crawl. Other than that it's good, packed dirt.
The other trailhead is on top of the rim. It branches off from FR-300, also known as Rim Road. Think of this like the Grand Canyon: Get the easy downhill part over with first, and then hike back up it afterward!
We're the type who like to eat the frogs first... This meant climbing the rim first and then taking it easy on the way down. The hike starts in typical, beautiful Arizona high-country forest. There are several crossings over Christopher Creek, which had just the right amount of water following weeks of monsoon activity this summer. It's noteworthy to mention that the numerous washes along this trail were otherwise dry.
Trail 184 eventually begins its steady ascent to the top of the rim. The worst is at the end, with a steep section of light scree that requires some careful hand and foot work to ensure stable footing. Shortly thereafter the sound of OHVs becomes more apparent. Rim Road comes into sight.
The hike down is a nice way to decompress. Christopher Creek is at ~5,900 feet, while the Rim Road trailhead sits at close to 7,900 feet. This hike involves nearly 2,000 feet of elevation gain in just under four miles!
While we didn't see abundant wildlife on this hike, we did meet a few interesting fellow hikers. These included people with loppers and axes that mercifully were not something out of a horror movie... In fact, they were part of a service organization that maintains the trails. A sign denotes this not too far from the trailhead. Their service was appreciated, as soft, monsoon-fed grasses were making for some light bushwhacking in spots.
Last year some people at Beaver Creek near Sedona were water angels to another hiker that was with me (and didn't prepare accordingly). Our hike might've been cut short if they hadn't saved the day with an extra water bottle. I've wished to pay this forward, and today was our chance. We met a friendly, but exhausted couple on trail in need of some extra water. Word of advice: Trail #184 is NOT a mountain biking trail. Unless, that is, you like carrying your bike up 2,000 feet over nearly four miles.
Epilogue: This hike took about four hours total. Next on the agenda was a drive up Rim Road to Bear Canyon Lake for some kayaking. One more beautiful canyon-bound, pine-enshrouded, rim lake checked off the bucket list.
On the way up to Bear Canyon Lake we spotted the Rim Road trailhead for See Canyon #184. We also spotted a familiar couple now on their mountain bikes pedaling along Rim Road. Kind of ironic...
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