Length: 6.8 miles roundtrip

Difficulty: Moderate

Wilderness Area: Sierra Ancha Wilderness

Journal: "Naked on the Trail"

From Claypool (between Miami and Globe) take State Highway 188 northwest for approximately 15 miles to its junction with State Highway 288. Turn right onto Highway 288 and drive north for approximately 19.7 miles to the old Sierra Ancha Experiment Station Headquarters. Turn right and drive a short distance to a graveled parking area just outside the gate. From here, walk through the gate and down an interior road about 100 yards to the Parker Creek Trail 160. Look for trail signs near the flagpole to the left. This trailhead is accessible to all vehicles.

Trail Description:

NOTE: We did this hike prior to the Coon Fire of 2000. That 10,000 acre fire damaged many of the trails (and the beauty) of this area.

From the trailhead the trail begins its gentle climb. This climb remains steady throughout. Never too flat, never too steep. The first half mile of this trail has several blown down trees when we were there in April 1999. Do not let this deter you from this awesome trek.

The trail climbs along side of Parker Creek. After .6 miles you will come to a weir used by the experimental forest station to measure water flow. At 1.7 miles you will see a giant rock slide that the trail crosses. The climb continues until 2.5 miles when you "top out". From this high point, the trail descends to a junction with Coon Creek Trail #254 and Rim Trail #139.

Parker Creek then climbs the last .4 miles to the Carr Trailhead on Forest Road 487. We took the Rim Trail #139. It is a very flat enjoyable hike that enters the Sierra Ancha Wilderness with views of box canyons.

You can either return the way you came or do a two car shuttle with the second car (high clearance) being left on FR 487.