See Canyon Horton Springs Loop

Dogs Leashed

Features Fall Colors · River/Creek · Views · Wildlife

This route begins by using the See Canyon Trail #184 to ascend through See Canyon to the Mogollon Rim. From the rim, visitors will traverse along the top of the rim, taking in spectacular views. The journey is continued as runners head back down the steep canyon to the popular Horton Springs via the Horton Springs Trail #292. After a stop at the springs, visitors will then finish the loop on the Highline Trail #31 (NRT), which returns to the trailhead. Overall, the journey is steep, both up and down, but you are rewarded with great views.

Tough ascents and descents, in conjunction with scrabbly trail surface make this a tough run.

This loop goes up the See Canyon Trail #184 to the top of the incredible Mogollon Rim. Start at the See Canyon Trailhead. From the trailhead, both the See Canyon Trail and the Highline Trail #31 (NRT) are accessible, and you can detour to the spring first or continue your journey to the rim. Be aware that water is scarce during this fall trip, so get it where you can.

Taking the See Canyon Trail #184, you'll warm up on a mellow incline. There will be portions where the trail passes through rocky outcrops and where the route gets technical. As you continue to work you way up the canyon, the trail will get steeper and the last part of the See Canyon Trail #184 leading to the rim is the steepest.

Once you reach the top you'll take the General Crook Trail which runs beside a forest service road. The trail is sometimes hard to find, so keep a map handy. We spent the night on the rim at a suitable campsite basking in the spectacular view and sunset. You'll need to traverse to the west on this trail for about 3.5 miles. Because the trail lies close to the road, traveling along the canyon's rim won't be as relaxing as you'd like it to be. While the views are spectacular, the traffic is not. Be prepared, and keep a look out for your descending trail.

We took the Horton Springs Trail #292 back down to Horton Springs, which is very steep and more like a game trail. You might want to look for alternatives. Horton Spring had the most water on the trip, and we did fill up there. It was also where we saw the most people.

From the Horton Springs, it is a relatively easy trip out to the car. Visitors will leave the springs via the Highline Trail #31 (NRT), and work their way back to the trailhead that they left from.

You're likely to run into high alpine flora and fauna, mainly including pines.