How to Hike Hell's Gate Trail

Located in Arizona's Tonto National Forest, the difficult Hell's Gate Trail is named correctly. Although the 11-mile hike is strenuous, you will find beautiful scenery and solace along the trail. Hell's Gate is not for the novice or casual hiker, but if you are in good shape and can read trail maps, you'll find Hell's Gate a satisfying and challenging trail.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Snacks
• Trail map
• Water
• Comfortable shoes

1. Drive east from Payson, Arizona on SR 260. Turn right on FR 405A until you reach FR 839, where you will see a sign for the Hell's Gate Trail parking area.
2. Start at the Hell's Gate trailhead. The beginning of this trail follows an old road along a fence, and it starts getting fairly steep quickly.
3. Stay on the trail and don't pass into the gates. At the fork in the road go left and follow the creek.
4. Pass the corral and stay on the trail. When it turns right, it climbs steeply up the hill to the ridge. At the fork at the top of this ridge go left. This part of the trail descends and climbs several mountain tops to get to Hell's Gate Ridge.
5. Reach the wilderness boundary and follow the trail for another 4 miles. You will see a large stock tank, keep walking past it.
6. Cross the creek if possible. Depending on the water flow, you may not be able to cross Tonto and Haigler Creeks.
7. Return along your same route, but take your time because your steep descending trail is now the steep ascending trail.

Tips & Warnings

• Prepare your backpack with plenty of water and wear comfortable shoes for this hike.
• Tell people where you are going, what trail will be hiked and how long you expect to be gone.