Long Valley West

Trail Overview

This is a gem of an out-and-back trail. It ends at one of the prettier overlook points in this area. The trail's end is wide open with expansive views, and you can walk to the edge. You'll get an outstanding view of the canyon below. It would make for an excellent lunch stop while exploring the area. The drive out on this trail is lovely, with lots of open space between the trees and grassy fields. Wildlife is abundant in this area. A wildlife water tank at the beginning of the trail draws animals to the area. There are a few bumpy, rocky sections closer to the start of the route. Later on, you will encounter some narrow sections with tight trees. There might be one or two smaller trees that have fallen over, making for low clearance. This is a beautiful trail to drive in late spring, as the area is covered with green grasses and little yellow flowers. The end of his trail does get quite windy as it's on the point of a canyon. One bar of intermittent LTE and 5G is closer to the trail's end.

Photos of Long Valley West

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Difficulty

The trail is rated a 3 for the short rocky sections you will encounter and some of the narrow passes through the trees. It is overall pretty easy.

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