Length: 5 miles roundtrip

Difficulty: Easy

Managing Agency: Coconino National Forest

Journal: "Groping on the Rim", "Luxury Backpacking", and "The Cabins of Pivot Rock"

**Kid Friendly Hike**

From Payson, go N 32 miles on AZ 87 to mile marker 284.6. Turn left on FR 616 and drive 3.2 miles to Pivot Rock Canyon Campground. Turn into the campground and follow the narrow dirt road .3 miles until it dead ends. The trail begins here.

We normally do this trip as a two car shuttle, leaving the pick up vehicle on FR 142 where it is crossed by Toms Creek. From the junction of FR 616 and AZ87 for N .2 miles to FR 142 and follow it 3.5 miles to the creek crossing. The crossing is very obvious.

Trail Description:

From the end of the dirt road, the trail follows Pivot Rock Creek. After .25 miles, descend a rocky staircase to the water. The trail is easy to follow but it does cross the creek often. Approx. 1.2 miles in is a large meadow with the remains of two old log cabins. Continue along the trail and at 1.8 miles you will reach the junction of Hicks and Duncan Canyons coming in from the left. Continue straight ahead. The creek is now called Toms Creek.

At 2.5 miles the creek is quite overgrown and you will have to bushwhack a little to find your way. Just stay in the stream bed. The last .25 miles is quite rocky and not so pleasant to walk on.

When you reach FR 142 the hike is over, although you could continue bushwhacking down Tom's Creek even further.