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Babe Haught trail to Knoll Lake

Updated
Views from the Babe Haught trail
Views from the Babe Haught trail
Views from the Babe Haught trail
Views from the Babe Haught trail
Views from the Babe Haught trail
Knoll Lake
Babe Haught trail: Elevation Plot
Babe Haught trail: map
Start of the Babe Haught trail
Views from the Babe Haught trail

Location

How to Get There
This hike is located near Payson, AZ.

From the Phoenix area, take HWY 87 North towards Payson. Once in Payson, take HWY 260 east toward Kohl's Ranch, AZ. Turn left at the sign for the Tonto Fish Hatchery. Take this paved road 6 miles to the signed parking on the left just before entering the hatchery. There are several trails that leave from this parking area. The one you want is the northern trail (facing the hatchery) on the left signed as #143.
city
Payson
state
AZ
country
USA
Region
Mogollon Rim

Hike details

Distance
8.00 [Miles] Total
Hike Distance- Details
8.0 miles to the lake and back again.
Time
5.00 [Hours]
Time-details
It took us five hours with a 20 minute stop for lunch.
Elevation Change
1,500 Total gain/loss [Feet]
Elevation Gain
1,500 Total Elevation Gain [Feet]
Elevation Details
1500 feet of elevation gain
Hike Trail Type
Out and Back
Special Features
Water

Season

Best Season
  • June
  • July
  • August
Worst Season
  • January
  • February
  • December
Season Details
fall, summer, spring
Date Hike completed
August 07, 2021

Solitude

Solitude
High
Solitude Details
Pretty good for a Mogollon rim trail. We only saw 5 other hikers on a lovely Saturday.

Difficulty

Difficulty Rating
Moderately Strenuous
difficulty detail
The 1500 ft climb up the Mogollon is hard work with little shade. This is a moderately strenuous hike.

Permits

Be Aware of
Some route finding at the top of the rim... follow the cairns.

Hike along the Babe Haught trail to Knoll lake in Arizona.

There are multiple trails from the parking area. The trail you want is the trail to the North of the parking area on the left. It is signed as #143 and heads generally north from the parking area. This trail has little shade as you make the 1200 ft climb up to the top of the Mogollon rim. However, your hard work is rewarded by fantastic views, so look behind you once in a while as you climb. After about 1.2 miles of hiking and 1200 ft of climbing, you'll reach the edge of the Mogollon rim. From here the trail flattens out significantly, but becomes a bit tricky to follow. Thankfully, there are many helpful cairns to keep you on the trial. After another mile of hiking, you'll cross the rim road. From here, the trail becomes much more shaded and you'll walk among tall pine trees, ferns, and even some aspen. There are small creeks in the area nearby and the final 1.4 miles to Knoll lake is really pleasant walking. Knoll lake makes a great place for lunch. When you're ready, return the way you came. If you'd like, there is a short trail to the lovely Tonto creek on the East side of the road. It's worth the detour to soak your feet and revitalize before taking the long drive home.

Map

Swap Start/End
Adding markers to the map ...
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