Gen Crook Trail and Houston Mesa Hikes

On September 21st, we took Elizabeth (who was visiting us) on our usual Tuesday hike. Meeting the other hikers at our usual spot in front of the store Stages, we introduced Elizabeth around the group. Then, right on time, we took off east on Highway 260 to the Ranger Station (right side of the road) in the Sitgreaves National Park, opposite the turn off to the Woods Canyon area.

Parking in a very nice parking area, we began our hike at one of several trail heads for the General Crook Trail. Gen. Crook was the head of the military in Arizona, tasked with solving the "Indian" problem in the Territory. This trail, which begins near what is now Show Low AZ in the east, ran all the way along the top of the Mogollon Rim to what is now Prescott AZ. It was the 3rd "highway" developed in the state.

The trail is actually quite lovely, fairly level and running thru an open oak and pine forest. Then leaving the trail, we hiked along a few of the park roads, passing many un-occupied camping spots to where we finally took our snack break, at a picnic area at the top of the rim. From here we had an outstanding view of the valley below. Quite impressive. Unfortunately, all of our pictures were lost in some sort of technical difficulty.

From the view point, it was only about 1/4 mile back to the ranger station and the cars. For those who don't have time or inclination to hike, the ranger station has a back deck area with an awesome view of the valley, very similar to the one we had from 1/4 mile away. It's worth the time to stop and walk out on the back deck to see the view.

This Tuesday, the 28th, we went on what the group calls Sally's Hike. From her house in Payson, Sally could see people up on top of the Houston Mesa. Wondering how they got up there, Sally did some exploring and found the spot. Going out Houston Mesa Road and passing the Houston Mesa trailhead, we continued another 1/2 mile or so and parked in a large pull off on the left. From here, we hiked about 1/2 mile to the look out point that Sally can see from her house. It's quite the view of the valley below with nearly all of Payson in sight.

From there, we continued on to a 2nd view point, then on across the mesa, just exploring the many ATV trails across the top. Randy and I noted a lot of nice looking stones scattered along the road and the mesa top. Not being any sort of rock hound, I called them chalcedony. Another hiker thought they might be an agate. Either way, Randy found a nice 3 pounder and let me carry it in my back pack as he only had a waist pack on that day. He's so nice.

We stopped for a snack in a dry wash next to a cattle pond. Everyone was in as much shade as they could find as the day had turned very warm and this hike was pretty much in the sun the whole way.

After getting back to the cars, we assembled in Payson at ramada number 3 in Rumsey Park to have the annual birthday party. Sally and her husband and some others had purchased some cake and ice cream with donations from the group. We sang happy birthday to each other and lots of cake and ice cream was shared along with lots of chat time. I hope everyone had as good a time as I did.