260 to Woods Canyon – Round Deux

What was supposed to happen in April is finally going down in June. No matter the weather, rain, snow, or sunshine – we’re making it happen. This one’s a mix of established trail and game trails, weaving through two gorgeous canyons and brushing the edge of a popular mountain lake.

We’ll kick things off Saturday morning, June 14th, meeting up at 9am in the Safeway parking lot. It’s the usual pre-hike ritual, a quick hello, grab whatever snacks you forgot, take a bathroom break, and then we roll out in a convoy to the 260 Trailhead.

From there, we hit the Highline Trail, heading west until we reach Drew Trail, then start climbing. The rim won’t come easy, but the payoff at the top is worth every step. Once we crest it, we keep moving — cross over FR9350, stay on Drew Trail, then link up with Aspen Trail and cut east. That takes us to a short stint on the General Crook Trail before we meet FR300, and that’s where the trail ends and the real fun begins.

We head off-trail into the west fork of Woods Canyon. No signs, no markers — just us and the landscape. Eventually we’ll find the Woods Canyon Lake Trail, hug the southern edge of the lake, and make our way to the country store. Perfect spot for a pit stop, use the restroom, grab a cold drink, or even some food. After that, we keep hugging the southern edge of the lake, making our way toward the dam, and once we reach it, it’s back off-trail again, this time into the east fork of Woods Canyon, where we’ll set up camp and settle in for the night.

Next morning, we pack up and start making our way back. It kicks off with more off-trail travel, moving south until we reconnect with the General Crook Trail. From there, we hang a left, follow it east to the Military Sinkhole Trail, and begin our descent down the rim wrapping up the loop and closing out a solid weekend in the woods.

Miles and AEG
Total distance is 16 miles with about 1,600 feet of total ascent.

Who is this for?
It’s about 10 miles from the trailhead to camp, with no real camping opportunities before that. This trip is best suited for those with some backpacking experience, but if you're a beginner and interested in joining, feel free to reach out!

Gear and Preparedness
You should have a basic understanding of backpacking essentials, including shelter, sleep system, food, water filtration, cooking gear, and first aid. This is a great trip to test new gear but be sure you know how to use it.

Bringing a Dog?
Message me first if you plan to bring one.

Weather
Temperatures can vary by as much as 10 degrees from the bottom of the rim to the top. Historically, it’s typically hot this time of year, but we’ll take a closer look at the forecast as the trip approaches.

Fires and the Country Store
Apache-Sitgreaves is currently under Stage 2 fire restrictions, and I don’t anticipate any changes until the area gets substantial rainfall or the order expires. This means no campfires or wood-burning stoves are allowed. The Country Store is and will be open.

About Me
I’m a passionate backpacker, not a professional, with hundreds of miles logged across Arizona, Idaho, and New Mexico. I’ve been actively backpacking for the last six years and know Rim Country well, having hiked this route multiple times.

Meet-Up Time & Location
Safeway in Payson at 9am.