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Take A Hike! This Ponderosa Pine forested area consists of approximately 20,850 acres with elevations ranging from 4,000 to 7,400 feet. Visitors should expect to encounter precipitous box canyons, pine forests, steep cliffs, and plenty of wildlife. There are 13 trails varying in length from a little over a mile to around eight and a half miles. There are several trailheads into the wilderness area, all of which are accessed via Forest Roads along Highway 288. Though all of the trails in the Sierra Anchas provide beautiful scenery and solitude, one trail stands out as a good introductory day hike. The Parker Creek Trail is approximately 3.5 miles long (each way) with convenient trailhead access from 288 rather than the Forest Roads that require high-clearance four-wheel drive. Parker Creek Trail #160 - 3.5 miles Parker Creek is a scenic hike that climbs from 288 up into the Sierra Anchas. The elevation begins at 5,100 feet and reaches 7,000 feet. The trailhead access is at the Sierra Anchas Experimental Station, partly owned by ASU. The Parker Creek Trail connects to other trails in the system such as Rim Trail. This 7.5 mile long trail follows the rim through Ponderosa Pine forests. Connections to other trails give visitors the opportunity to continue further into the area if desired. To get to the Sierra Ancha Wilderness Area take
Shea Boulevard east to the Beeline Highway (State Route 87). Turn left.
Follow 87 to State Route 188. Turn right. Follow 188 to the Apache Trail
( State Route 88). Turn left. Follow 88 to
Young Highway (State Route 288). Turn left. Drive up 288 for approximately
19.5 miles to the Sierra Ancha Experimental Station Headquarters. The
trailhead is within the grounds of the station. Park outside the gate
in the gravel parking area. Walk through the gate. Look for a sign for
Parker Creek Trail #160. Tonto National Forest
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