Foote Creek - Blue Range Primitive Area - Member Hike
| Hike Name: | Foote Creek - Blue Range Primitive Area |
|---|---|
| Country: | United States |
| State: | Arizona |
| Nearby Town: | Alpine |
| Rating: |  |
| Directions: | Drive 23 miles south on US 191 to the south end of Hannagan Meadow and turn left (east) on Forest Road 29A to the Steeple /Foote Creek trailhead and parking lot. For lower access: Drive Forest Road 281 for 22.7 miles to Blue Administrative site and trailhead on right (west). |
| Total Hike Distance: | 32.00 miles |
| Hike Difficulty: | Difficult |
| Permit Required: | No |
| Hike Type: | In & Out, Backtrack Hike |
| Hike Starts/Ends: | Hanagan Administrative Camp |
| Trails Used: | 76 (Foote Creek Trail) |
| Backcountry Campsites: | Yes |
| Backcountry Water Sources: | Streams, Springs |
| Management: | U.S. Forest Service |
| Contact Information: | Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests P.O. Box 640 Springerville, AZ 85938 Voice: (928) 333-4301 Fax: 928-333-5966 TTY: (928) 333-6292 http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/asnf/ |
| Best Season: | Spring, Summer, Fall |
| Users: | Hikers, Dogs, Horses |
| Road Conditions: | Primary Paved Roads, Secondary Paved Roads, Maintained Gravel or Dirt Roads |
| Hike Summary: | Trail Description: Foote Creek follows one of the big drainages of the Blue River as it takes you from canyon rim to canyon floor. This long path sets out from the same trailhead as Steeple Mesa Trail, near Hannagan Administrative Camp. It follows an old logging road for about 5 miles as it meanders along the ridge top under spruce, fir and aspen. If you keep an eye out here, you have a good chance of seeing some wildlife grazing in the hidden meadows. About a half mile beyond the trail's junction with Grant Creek Trail at P-Bar Lake, the road narrows to a path, and turns to follow what are the upper reaches of Foote Creek. The path accompanies the creek into a steadily deepening gorge until the going gets too tight. At this point, there's a short detour over a steep saddle to avoid a narrow stretch in the canyon. The climb avoids the obstruction and provides a good view of Castle Rock standing tall and picturesque to the north. After this short diversion, the trail leads back down into the canyon, crossing and re-crossing the rocky streambed past a junction with Horse Ridge Trail and on to some more great views. Steep red rock cliffs mark the entry of Foote Creek's Right Fork into the main drainage. Tutt Creek Trail branches off at this point. A couple of miles downstream, Foote Creek trail leaves the canyon and heads for high ground to the north of the drainage. This route provides easier going, skirting the southern slopes of Foote Creek Mesa where the hiker is once again rewarded with long distance vistas of scenic Blue River Canyon. For the remaining mile the trail continues to offer good views as it makes the final drop into Blue River Canyon at the Blue Administrative Camp. No vehicles (including mountain bikes) permitted in Primitive area. Cedar Springs flows year round. Foote Creek has intermittent pools. P-Bar Lake provides water for stock purposes. |
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