OUTDOOR ADVENTURES IN RIM COUNTRY
Alexis Bechman
Rim Country mountain bike trails are mostly for intermediate to expert riders, but offer great views and technical challenges and temperatures 20 degrees cooler than the Valley.
trails together. The shortest loop is the Boulder Hop Trail at 3.6 miles. Start on Aspen Trail No. 411 and then take the General Crook Trail No. 140, back on the Aspen Trail No. 411 for a short stint, then the Boulder Hop Trail No. 413, which connects back with the Aspen Trail No. 411. The middle loop is Aspen Trail, which is 5.8 miles. It combines Aspen Trail No. 411, Carr Lake Trail No. 412, General Crook Trail No. 140 and back on Aspen Trail No. 411. The longest loop, which runs along the perimeter, is the Carr Lake loop at 8.8 miles. Again, start from the Aspen Trail No. 411 and then take the General Crook Trail No. 140 for 3 miles to the Carr Lake Trail No. 412. Stay on that 3.4 miles until you hit the Aspen Trail No. 411 and take it back to the trailhead in 1.3 miles. Where: From Payson, head east on State Route 260 to the Forest Road 300/Rim Road turnoff on the left. Go 5.2 miles and turn left at the Carr Trailhead sign to the trailhead.
Horton Creek A favorite among hikers and bikers alike, Horton Creek is the jewel of Rim Country. With a creek that runs alongside most of the trail, the photo opportunities abound on this ride. At 6.5 miles out and back, it makes for a nice day ride. Going up is all uphill with about 1,250 feet of elevation gain. That just means the downhill is 22 | summer visitors guide | 2016
quite fun. Where: From Payson, head east on State Route 260 to Forest Road 289. Turn left and follow it to the trailhead near the Upper Tonto Creek Campground.
Boulders Trail If you are looking for a moderately difficult trail in Payson, check out the Boulders Loop. I like to access it from the bottom of East Phoenix Street. The trail is mostly doable, but there are a few sections that are rather technical and always force me off my bike. Where: Take East Phoenix Street until it dead ends at a cul-de-sac. Follow the signs for the Payson Area Trail System.
Trail 200 If you want to be thrown off your bike, but still walk away with a smile on your face, then consider Trail 200. Built by local riders, Trail 200 is a series of interconnected, technical loops. The trails bend around large granite monoliths, snake up the hillside then dip back over the creek, spitting you out breathless, sweaty and probably a little beat up. For advanced riders, this is the place to get lost for a few hours. Where: Drive to the end of East Phoenix Street. Park in the cul-de-sac. There is signage for the Boulder Loop Trail, which heads to the east. Trail 200 is not marked, but there are obvious singletrack trails that head south.