Oak Hill

Trail Overview

This is a short but bumpy out-and-back trail to the edge of a cliff. The beginning of the trail is smooth red dirt, but as it gets into the juniper bushes, it turns to lava rock. They get larger and more technical the further the trail goes. The last bit of trail follows a fence down a steep, loose, rocky hill and then climbs up to the top of the cliff. There is room for just a couple of vehicles to park, so don't bring all of your friends on this one. The top has some large boulders that, if you climb up on foot, reveal a stunning view of the canyon. This area gets quite windy, and it's not level to camp. Cell service is intermittent at best with no usable data.

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Difficulty

The trail earns its rating at the end for the long, loose, rocky hill climbs. The first hill to go down has very tight sections between the fence and large juniper bushes. This trail has very rocky sections with large lava rocks to navigate through. Some could smack your undercarriage. Rugged tires and airing down are recommended. Keep an eye on the boulders; they could easily tear a sidewall.

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