Springerville Volcanic Field
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Arizona Hiking at June 4th
GREEN’S PEAK
Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest
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| Looking southeast from the summit of Green’s Peak |
More popular with hang gliders than hikers, this half-bald-half-forested volcanic peak northwest of Greer is a little gem of a trek. Having driven by this mountain numerous times while on my way to other White Mountain trails, a trip up this hill has been on my to-do list for far too long. So, when I finally put boots on the ground this past weekend, my sense of accomplishment was quickly usurped by a sense of awe. The peak is an extinct cinder cone volcano surrounded by myriad geological curiosities—like the mima (pronounced may-muh) mounds.
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| halfway up |
One of the enduring mysteries of White Mountain geology, is the origin of the mounds. Rodents, imbedded root systems and creatures from outer space all have been credited with making these roundish, 2-to-9-foot-high lumps of gravel in the meadows surrounding 10,133-foot Green’s Peak—the high point of the Springerville Volcanic Field. The prevailing theory is that these curious features are remnants of a glacial ice field that receded some 25,000 years ago leaving behind a landscape that smacks more of Iceland than Arizona. Bald on its south side but forested on its north flank,
It’s easy to spot the cinder road etched into the slopes that’s used to access the fire tower and communication equipment on the top—this is the trail.
Once at the apex, stroll around to get extraordinary views of the cinder cone-dotted countryside and scope out future hiking destinations like Pole Knoll, Railroad Grade and Mount Baldy. Also visible are the scars of last year’s Wallow Fire mar the woodlands around Greer. When we visited here yesterday,, the New Mexico Gila Fire had grown to over 200,000 acres and strong winds sent a veil of smoke into the White Mountains.
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| the mima mounds at the base of Green’s Peak |
LENGTH: 2 or 4 miles roundtrip
RATING: moderate
ELEVATION: 9,520′- 10,133′
GETTING THERE:
From Pinetop, travel east on AZ260 (Toward McNary). Continue to roughly 3 miles past AZ273 to FR 117 near milepost 380 on the left (about a mile past the Railroad Grade trailhead). Follow FR117 north for 3 miles to a “Y” junction at FR 61 where a signs states “Greens Peak 2 miles”. You can park here for a 4-mile roundtrip hike or veer left and drive another mile to the next “Y” intersection at FR61/61C
for a 2-mile hike. Roads are maintained cinder and passable by sedan.
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Post Author: Arizona Hiking
Bio: Serial blogger, manic hiker and “mom” to a dozen adopted dogs, Mare Czinar has been exploring Arizona trails for more than 20 years. After being led astray (or just plain confused) by outdated hiking books and online resources (hence the tagline: We got lost, so you don’t have to), Czinar sought to create a fully vetted, frequently updated online hike travelogue with current driving and hiking directions to spare fellow hikers the mental and physical wear-and-tear of aimless wandering.
In addition, blog entries are amended when road closures or wildfires restrict trail access. When not working, blogging, writing about the great outdoors or picking up dog poo, Czinar attempts to “stay found” while checking out new trails.
Website: http://arizonahiking.blogspot.com/
