Choppy Waters

Trail Overview

This scenic point-to-point loop trail meanders through the beautiful pines and meadows of the Coconino National Forest. Although there are some short sections of smooth dirt, the majority of this trail is covered in loose and buried rock, making for a very bumpy and slow ride. The trail is not routinely maintained and does not have bypasses available to avoid the rocky sections. The portions of the trail in the meadows (Newman Canyon), where there are water crossings, have a lot of erosion with deep ruts. Active rain, or recent rain, will likely increase trail difficulty. Be on the lookout for deer, elk, and other wildlife. As always, please be a steward and protect our public lands and national forests; observe Tread Lightly! Principles and have fun!

Photos of Choppy Waters

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Difficulty

Trail is comprised of rutted dirt mixed with loose and buried rock. Buried rock sections will force you to slow down, require 4x4 and high clearance, and make for a bumpy ride.

History

Trail starts near the Pinegrove Quiet Area. From August 15th to December 31st each year, the areas are special: they are open only to foot, horse, or bicycle traffic for the purpose of providing a unique, non-motorized recreational experience for the public. Please see map of quiet area boundaries to understand which portion of Muddy Waters is affected by the seasonal closure. https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd498093.pdf

Technical Rating