This was a three-day pack trip, taken at a leisurely pace. It could be done in two days for horses and riders in good condition. We descended Foote Creek Trail from Hanagan Meadow to Paradise Park, then picked up Grant Creek to the bottom. We rode Blue Road several miles, intending to head up Foote Creek Trail to Cleveland Springs Trail, but we missed the trailhead. So, we went on to Red Hill Road and took it to the Tut Creek Trailhead, then headed up Red Hill Trail in the Creek bottom. The recorded course shows 26.9 miles, but that’s because I forgot to start tracking at the trailhead at Hanagan. Our route was about 30 miles total. Our first night’s camp was in the Grant Creek bottom, about 3/4 mile from the confluence with the Blue River. We stayed the second night at the junction of Blue Road and Red Hill Road, near a campground there. In 2011, the Wallow Fire burned through portions of “The Blue”, obliterating several Trails. Since that time, the Blue has seen little equine or foot traffic, insufficient to keep many trails open. We were told by more than one knowledgeable person that Foote Creek Trail is impassable below Paradise Park for horse traffic. We found both Grant Creek and Red Hill trails open top to bottom, however, the middle five or so miles of both trails is very difficult to follow. We lost and reacquired the trail a number of times. Above and below these areas there has been some trail maintenance and preservation, but in the middle portions all that is left are a few ancient tree blazes that were not destroyed by fire. All that taken into consideration, this was a wonderful pack trip that offered some challenges which were rewarded by some spectacular vistas and some good memories between good friends. I regard these trails as appropriate for all hikers and riders in the upper portions of the trails, but advanced below Paradise Park and the first couple miles below the Red Hill trailhead. Below those points you will find numerous blowdowns, Trail washouts, and steep and precarious trail sections that are unmaintained and unmarked. These are tough trails. Do not attempt them without a good map.

Horseback Riding

The turnoff from US 191 to the trailhead at Hanagan is located about 1/4 mile south of Hanagan Meadow on the east side of 191. Follow that about 1/4 mile to the trailhead. There is a restroom and three 12X12 pipe corrals, but no water. Same at the Red Hill Trailhead, which is reached from Red Hill Road, about 3/4 mile east of Beaverhead. Water on these trails for horses can be found at P-Bar lake (which is only a small stock pond), White Oak Springs, Grant Creek, and the Blue River. Canteens can be filled at White Oak Spring. There is no water available on Red Hill Trail. When ascending Red Hill Trail, the point at which the trail leaves the Creek bed and heads up the mountain is marked by a rock cairn that is easy to miss. The trail at that point looks like a deer trail. Above that point it takes real effort and attention to follow.

Red Hill Trail, Grant Creek Trail, Foote Creek Trail, Hanagan Meadow, Horse Trails Arizona, Blue Range Primitive Area

Clifton, Arizona, United States

time : Aug 4, 2018 10:54 AM

duration : 2d 4h 29m

distance : 26.9 mi

total_ascent : 3973 ft

highest_point : 8595 ft

avg_speed : 2.2 mi/h

user_id : Westerntrailrider

user_firstname : Tony

user_lastname : Henrie

This was a three-day pack trip, taken at a leisurely pace. It could be done in two days for horses and riders in good condition. We descended Foote Creek Trail from Hanagan Meadow to Paradise Park, then picked up Grant Creek to the bottom. We rode Blue Road several miles, intending to head up Foote Creek Trail to Cleveland Springs Trail, but we missed the trailhead. So, we went on to Red Hill Road and took it to the Tut Creek Trailhead, then headed up Red Hill Trail in the Creek bottom. The recorded course shows 26.9 miles, but that’s because I forgot to start tracking at the trailhead at Hanagan. Our route was about 30 miles total. Our first night’s camp was in the Grant Creek bottom, about 3/4 mile from the confluence with the Blue River. We stayed the second night at the junction of Blue Road and Red Hill Road, near a campground there. In 2011, the Wallow Fire burned through portions of “The Blue”, obliterating several Trails. Since that time, the Blue has seen little equine or foot traffic, insufficient to keep many trails open. We were told by more than one knowledgeable person that Foote Creek Trail is impassable below Paradise Park for horse traffic. We found both Grant Creek and Red Hill trails open top to bottom, however, the middle five or so miles of both trails is very difficult to follow. We lost and reacquired the trail a number of times. Above and below these areas there has been some trail maintenance and preservation, but in the middle portions all that is left are a few ancient tree blazes that were not destroyed by fire. All that taken into consideration, this was a wonderful pack trip that offered some challenges which were rewarded by some spectacular vistas and some good memories between good friends. I regard these trails as appropriate for all hikers and riders in the upper portions of the trails, but advanced below Paradise Park and the first couple miles below the Red Hill trailhead. Below those points you will find numerous blowdowns, Trail washouts, and steep and precarious trail sections that are unmaintained and unmarked. These are tough trails. Do not attempt them without a good map.