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Submission
Runs alongside a main road, and it takes a good while to get away from the noise. Got about halfway before gunshots could be heard. Our dog couldn't go any further and we had to turn around. There was mostly desert shrubs and some cacti as well. If you're looking for a quiet forest hike, maybe look elsewhere.
Looks like a great trail to hike. I only got a short distance on the bike(pretty tough spots in areas) because I popped my tire. Heading back tomorrow hopefully
We went up the west side of the loop about 1.5 miles. IMO the trail was 4/10 difficulty wise. The inclines were moderate and most of the tail is a mix of 1-3" gravel rock and dirt. Some gravel was loose and I had a couple foot slips in hiking boots. Hiking in tennis shoes is possible but I wouldn't as you'll likely feel the sharp rocks beneath your feet. The trail wound through the timber but provided some peek-a-boo views of Pinetop-Lakeside. At about 1.5 miles in the trail crossed an old lumber/ATV road. That road back to the trailhead was very easy and wound through cattle grazing land. If I had more time I would have tried to complete the entire loop. I would hike this trail again.
Nice hike that is close to town which I would consider easy to moderate. Did the loop clockwise and had some areas of incline that were rocky and some loose gravel during the first couple of miles the rest of the loop while having some incline was relatively easy.
Could hear road noise during the first couple of miles but there were some nice views of the meadow below. Wide range of scenery from large areas of Manzanita to pine forest. The trail is well maintained and marked. The sign at the parking lot indicates the trailhead is not at the parking lot but it is.
