Long Lake

Trail Overview

This easy trail runs to the beautiful Long Lake. It is well-maintained for the first 9 miles all the way to the Hey Lake Ranch. Take a hard right at the sign for the ranch, and the lake will be several miles further down. The trail narrows somewhat but is still wide enough for two vehicles to pass. It goes from dense trees to open planes. You will see expansive views of the mountains towards Flagstaff. The closer you get to the lake, the bumpier the trail becomes, and the more rocky it gets all along the lakeside. Several dispersed campsites go close to the water. There is also a parking area and ramp on the southern end. There is a 14-day limit on dispersed camping up here. Several informational kiosks specify the lake's rules and have information for anglers. This area can get quite windy at times. There is no cell service, so download offline maps to ensure you do not get lost. It is an out-and-back route, but it might connect to other trails beyond the lake.

Photos of Long Lake

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Difficulty

This trail is a generally wide, well-maintained dirt road. In the last few miles up close to the lake, there are more ruts and the potential to encounter mud. It is also rocky and bumpy, making it slow going.

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

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