| Some of the largest acreage of virgin ponderosa pine in the southwest stands on Bear Wallow Wilderness, venerable reminders of a once extensive forest of these giants. Down the length of Bear Wallow Wilderness, through a blanket of pine, fir, and spruce, beautiful Bear Wallow Creek flows year-round, shaded by green riparian hardwoods.Early explorers were impressed by the large number of well-used wallows, which revealed how plentiful the area's population of black bears was. Black bears still abound, and visitors may see elk, deer, squirrels, and a diverse community of smaller mammals, birds, and reptiles. Wildflowers bloom in profusion, especially during the summer rains. Poison ivy grows tall and abundant.Five trails offer foot and horse access to Bear Wallow. Human use of Bear Wallow is light. Reno Trail and Gobbler Point Trail drop into the canyon of the creek from easily accessible trailheads on forest service roads. Bear Wallow Trail follows the rocky streambed a total of 7.6 miles to the boundary of the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation. Schell Trail connects Bear Wallow Trail and the canyon floor to the Rose Spring Trail, which skirts the southern boundary along the precipitous Mogollon Rim, the southern edge of the vast Colorado Plateau. |
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| | | Facilities: Unknown Best Time To Visit: Fall to spring is the best time to visit. Fees: No fees are charged. Accessibility: This area is not handicap accessible. Rules: Unknown Directions: Take US 191/666 south 30 miles from Alpine, AZ; turn west on Forest Service Road 54 and go about six miles to a fork in the road; take the north fork until the road ends at a parking area and Rose Spring Trailhead lying below the road at a signed gate in the fence. Map: Click here for a map to Bear Wallow Wilderness Area Reservations: Reservations are not needed to accepted to visit Bear Wallow Wilderness Area. | | |
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| | | | | Address | | Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest | | P.O. Box 640 | | Springerville, Arizona 85938 |
| | | Phone | | General: (928) 333-4301 | | TTY: (928) 333-6292 | |
| | | | | Website | | Email |
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