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| First gate |
Four gates plus 15 minutes = 10 miles. That’s the crazy equation we developed
for a pleasant, easy hike near Allan Lake.
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| Second gate |
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| Third gate |
We did this by following part of passage #30 of the
Arizona Trail (AZT) with a GPS to measure our mileage and we determined that
all one really needs to do to gauge a 10-mile out-and-back hike is count gates. Here’s the
plan. From the trailhead, begin
hiking northwest (go left from the sign crossing the road) through a meadow
following the AZT sign posts.
You’ll come to GATE #1 at the 0.5-mile point. Pass the gate, hike a few
yards and cross Lake Mary Road (FR 3) where GATE #2 greets you at 0.51 mile on
the west side of the road. From
here, the trail parallels FR 3 for a short distance before meeting GATE #3.
Here, the signage is a bit confusing. The AZT sign points away from the gate,
as if instructing you to go left. However, the correct route goes through the
gate, (not around as the sign seems to indicate), and you’ll encounter another
AZT sign near a dirt road. Cross the dirt road, hang a right after a few feet
and follow the old railroad bed heading north. This section passes the marshy headwaters of Allan Lake. You
won’t see any AZT signs for a while, but they will appear again at critical
junctions, so stay alert. Once we
passed GATE #4, we hiked for another 15 minutes or so to make an even 5 miles.
As with all gates on forestlands---close them behind you --unless signage
instructs otherwise.
LENGTH: 10 miles roundtrip
RATING: easy
ELEVATION:
7,450’-7,500’
THE RULES: non-motorized use only
DOGS: leashed dogs ok
KIDS: good
choice
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| Fourth gate |
DISTANCE FROM PHOENIX: 130 miles one-way
GETTING THERE:
ALLAN LAKE (a.k.a. Gooseberry Spring) TRAILHEAD:
From Phoenix, go 75 miles north on AZ87 (Beeline Highway) to
Payson. At the intersection of
AZ87/260, continue north on AZ87 to Clint’s Well and turn left onto Lake Mary
Road (FR 3). Continue 21.1 miles
on FR 3 to milepost 312.2, turn right (east) onto a gated dirt road for
Gooseberry Spring (FR 935) and drive 100 yards to the signed parking area on
the right. Hike begins across the
road--head northwest toward the campground following the AZT signs. For alternative directions, see Shuffs Tank hike above.
MORE PHOTOS:
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1642049349848.63520.1795269672&type=3&l=38435936c4
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