Jacks Canyon

Trail Overview

A decent majority of this trail is rocky and bumpy, with a lava rock garden at the highest elevation. There are some steep, loose hills climbs. The lower part of the valley that links up with the Lost Eden trail is relatively smooth and beautiful. It has many open grassy areas and several beautiful water tanks for wildlife. There are also plenty of camping areas down there. It's recommended to air down and have rugged tires if you are taking this trail all the way from the highway to the Lost Eden trail. There are several narrow sections in the trees and some trees down across the old trail. They have bypasses around them. There is some cell service right near the highway, but none further in. Be sure to download your offline maps before exploring this area. Also, there are a couple of campsites right at the beginning of the trail from the highway.

Photos of Jacks Canyon

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Difficulty

The trail is rocky and bumpy overall, but it's worth it for a nice drive with lush fields and tanks. Some smooth sections make up for the rougher ones. There are many great camping options, and it's worth the trip to grab one.

History

The Mogollon Rim is a rugged escarpment that forms the southern limit of the Colorado Plateau. It extends across the entire forest, approximately 200 miles in total, and provides excellent views within plateau country and desert canyon country as well. Dropping as much as 2,000 feet in some areas, the Rim offers some of the most far-reaching scenery in Arizona. Views stretch from its rocky precipice to Four Peaks of the Mazatzals northeast of Phoenix. Sightseeing is a favorite activity along the Rim. Still, this forest area also boasts a historic system of hiking and horseback trails, a couple of picturesque lakes for boating and fishing, and backcountry skiing for wilderness adventurers. The Mogollon Rim is a topographical and geological feature cutting across the northern half of Arizona. It extends diagonally approximately 200 miles, starting in northern Yavapai County and running eastward, ending near the New Mexico border. It forms the southern edge of the Colorado Plateau in Arizona. The Rim is an escarpment defining the southwestern edge of the Colorado Plateau. Its central and most spectacular portions are characterized by high cliffs of limestone and sand, namely the Kaibab limestone and Coconino sandstone cliffs. This escarpment was created by erosion, faulting, and cutting dramatic canyons into it, including the Fossil Creek Canyon and Pine Canyon. The name Mogollon comes from Don Juan Ignacio Flores Mogollon, the Spanish governor of New Mexico from 1712 to 1715. The Mogollon Rim's limestones and sandstones were formed from sediments deposited in the Carboniferous and Permian Periods. Several of the Rim's rock formations are also seen on the walls of the Grand Canyon. The extensive basaltic lava flows cap or even bury the Rim in many places. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for the endangered Mexican spotted owl. Other wildlife present on the Rim will be herds of elk and deer. You may see black bears, mountain lions, and even the occasional red-tailed hawk or peregrine falcon. There are also coyotes, horned toads, and rattlesnakes. This area frequently has fire restrictions early in the season. Be sure to contact the local ranger station for information about the current campfire restrictions. Or, at the minimum, check the Coconino Fire webpage. https://www.coconino.az.gov/2595/Fire-Restriction-Information

Technical Rating