| The South Fork Trail #97head is located in the South Fork Campground on the west side of the Little Colorado River. A round trip hike adds up to fourteen miles so many people like to leave a vehicle at each trailhead - there's a second trailhead at Mexican Hay Lake.The lower trail follows the South Fork of the Little Colorado of 3.5 miles, through stands of cottonwood, sycamore, pine, aspen and oak. Several grassy meadows open up the scenery and make ideal picnic spots, offering a change from the steep-sided canyon that dominates most of the lower trail.The South Fork of the Little Colorado is a fast running stream fed by runoff and springs. Many pools exist along its path where an angler can snag a fat trout or a footsore hiker can cool off. Look for signs of beaver; gnawed aspen stumps and intricately built dams are their trademark.Views from the upper bench are spectacular. From the southwest to the northwest, Mt. Baldy, Greens Peak and all the mountains between are spread out, while the vast grassland to the north stretches all the way to the horizon. To the southeast, Escudilla Mountain rises near the New Mexico state line.Mexican Hay Lake is a shallow, high elevation lake. A large meadow borders it on one side and an aspen and conifer forest on the other. The tall reeds that give the lake its name make it a magnet for waterfowl. Ducks and Canadian geese can be seen through most of the year and bald eagles winter there. Elk, deer, beaver and turkey are all common sights along the trails.The trail climbs in elevation from 7,500 feet to 9,000 feet, and gets moderate use. The trail is open to horseback riders, bicyclists and hikers. |
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