Loop Trail - Walnut Canyon Segment

Dogs Unknown

This section of the loop trail is really well done. It is mostly easy, although there are a couple rocky sections where you'll want to watch your footing.

The trail is currently under construction on the east end and just ends in the middle of the forest. from this point you can either bail onto FR301 or turn around and make it an out an back. Either way, it's best accessed from the west either at JW Powell or at the AZ trail crossing.

The start of the trail is easy to miss at both at JW Powell and at the AZ trail. The westernmost start is very near the bottom of JW Powell, and is marked by a small easy to miss loop trail sign (pillar). From the AZ trail, the intersection is marked by a inconspicuous loop trail sign. It is at the top of a slight rise just south of a fence.

Going west to east before you get to the AZ trail there are two junctions that are easy to confuse. The first is an unmarked fork in the trail (you take the right hand fork) The other is where you make a hard left up hill rather than following the Skunk canyon trail.

East of the AZ trail there is an option where you can follow the loop trail on forest roads, or you can hike singletrack right next to a wire fence.

As of 6/12/13 the loop trail ends as shown. Maybe a mile before the end there's a sign saying the loop trail is still under construction and at that point there is a convenient point to bail left onto FR301. At the actual end you can also bail left about 20 yards to the same road, but there isn't really a trail here.