Rim Trail #615
Distance: .91 mile loop
Difficulty: (as rated by the US Forest Service)
Hiking - Easy
Trailhead Parking: Limited, vehicles only
Access to Trail: Follow State Highway 260 three miles west then north of the Lakeside Ranger Station. After passing Camp Tatiyee, look for the Mogollon Rim Trail sign. A good parking lot is available.
Trail Highlights: This trail is very popular and is visited annually by hundreds of people from around the world. The trail follows a rather level terrain through the forest to the very edge of the Mogollon Rim. There are excellent scenic vistas along the trail. The first 1/2 mile of the trail is paved. A hike along this self-guided interpretive trail gives visitors a great appreciation of the characteristics of the Mogollon Rim and its uniqueness as the dividing line between the Colorado Plateau and the Gila-Salt River watersheds, as well as an appreciation of the water resources in Arizona. The trail is a 1 mile loop and takes about an hour.
It is likely that more kinds of trees, bushes, and shrubs can be seen growing side by side along this trail than any other area in the district. Some of the more common species of trees are: ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, pinyon pine, alligator juniper, Utah juniper, Rocky Mountain juniper, Gambel oak, and scrub oak. Some shrubs are: manzanita, mountain mahogany, and Fendlers ceanothus or buck brush.
Pacific willow and Bebb's willow, together with a wide variety of water plants and sedges can be found growing along an irrigation ditch which has an interesting history relating to pioneers in the area.