East Fork Trail - Springerville, AZ

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East Fork Trail

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The East Fork Trail immediately crosses the West Fork of the Little Colorado River with no bridge. Once across, the trail goes almost straight up toward Amberon Point, rising nearly 600 feet in elevation in just under an eighth of a mile. Engelmann spruce and Douglas fir trees are thick on either side of the trail here.

The trail continues on a more reasonable grade toward Marble Spring, offering a glimpse of the Greer Basin. Near Marble Spring, the trail skirts and actually passes through an area that was logged in 1988.

The path soon leaves the forested area and cuts across wide meadows, detouring around cienegas, or marshy areas. Waterfowl can be found in these wet spots through the summer and early fall. Frogs sing away the summer as garter snakes hunt in the tall grass. Elk are a common sight, cooling themselves in the cienegas in the warm summer afternoons.

The trail continues through open country, bordered by tall trees, eventually following an old railroad grade near Colter Reservoir. These railroad beds are common throughout the Springerville and Alpine Ranger Districts. They are what is left of the Maverick line of the Apache Railway system which hauled lumber to the mill in McNary after World War II.

Posts set in the ground with a hiker symbol help delineate the trail's course through the meadows.

The trail is 7 miles, one way. There is an elevation change from 8,200 to 9,300 feet. It is open to hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders. The trail receives moderate use and is rated as a moderate difficulty.

Facilities: There are no facilities East Fork Trail.

Best Time To Visit: East Fork Trail is open May through October, depending upon the weather.

Fees: There are no use fees associated with this trail.

Accessibility: This trail is not handicap accessible.

Rules: East Fork Trail is closed to motorized vehicles. The trail continues past Gabaldon Campground and into the Mt. Baldy Wilderness. Mountain bikes are not allowed past the Wilderness boundary.

Directions: To reach the East Fork Trail from Springerville go northwest on US 60 to US 180 in Eagar. Turn south on US 180 AZ 260. Turn west on AZ 260 to Greer. The trail begins in Greer at Government Springs, near the end of Forest Road 575.

Map: Click here for a map to East Fork Trail

Reservations: Reservations are not needed or accepted to use East Fork Trail.

Attractions Near
East Fork Trail

Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest
Little Colorado River