Hike the Colonel Devin Trail

The hike will begin at Washington Park in Payson, Arizona. To reach Washington Park, take AZ87 to Forest Road 199 (Houston Mesa Road) and turn east. Continue for 10 miles until you reach Forest Road 64 and turn west. Traveling less than a mile you will turn north on Forest Road 32 and in 3 miles reach Forest Road 32a. The Washington Park trailhead is located a half mile north of Forest Road 32A where you will find plenty of parking. 

The trail starts at the northwestern portion of the parking area, near the Arizona Trail sign. It begins as an old dirt road which can be rather steep. A large pipeline will be noted which supplies Payson with water from the Blue Ridge Reservoir. 

About 1.5 miles from Washington Park, the trail will begin to adventure away from the road bearing right. You will encounter a long series of switchbacks as you traverse amongst the tall ponderosa pine. At this time you will also be greeted by the trickling sound of a fresh spring. 

Look for the Railroad Tunnel Trail (.25 miles below the rim) which will take you to an old railroad tunnel, or continue on the Colonel Devin Trail where you will reach the top at Forest Road 300. You will see the monument of the Battle of Big Dry Wash, fought in 1882. 

At this point, you can choose to return to Washington Park or continue across Forest Road 300 and visit General Springs Cabin (0.5 miles) to setup camp or have a nice lunch. If you want to visit General Springs Cabin, follow the sign at the edge of Forest Road 300.  This is an old cabin built in 1918 and provides the perfect setting for lunch.