Ballantine Trail
Rio Verde, Arizona
| Address: | Ballantine Trailhead, 21075 Duthie-Martin Hwy, Rio Verde, AZ 85263, USA |
| GPS: |
33°45'51.8"N 111°29'36.2"W Maps | Directions |
| State: | Arizona |
| Trails/Routes: | 1.4 mi |
Hike
this trail looks a lot better once it moves away from the highway. A somewhat strenuous climb reveals a landscape of knuckle-and-joint, mica-imbedded boulders, deep gorges and a battalion of regal saguaro cactuses standing sentry. There’s even a mini-Stonehenge passage with naturally sculpted granite monoliths. Seasonal water doodling through the canyons adds a calming soundtrack to the impressive views.Courtesy of azcentral.com
This trail in its entirety is rarely done either as a shuttle or an out-and-back due to its overall length and the amount of driving required on FR143. This means that normally the upper (eastern) end of it (the best part) is the section that sees the least amount of traffic. This is one of several (but not too many) trails in AZ where a hiker will encounter both pine trees and saguaros. While it might be considered the easy way out, starting at the upper end of the trail and working your way west (and down, except for a short ascent at the start) has its advantages. The drive up and back down bumpy FR143 is left for later, but you'll still have to drive down later if you go the other direction. It's also an advantage to get an earlier start, which might be somewhat of an issue if you're attempting this one in late spring or early fall.Courtesy of hikearizona.com
The trailhead is located quite literally right off of the 87 Beeline Highway. There is a large sign indicating the Ballentine Trailhead with a right turn lane and is located about 20 miles northeast of Fountain Hills. The TH is never overly crowded and has enough room for about 20+ cars if people park correctly. From the trailhead there are two options; head to the north or head to the south. I chose to head north which runs parallel to the Beeline for about 1/2 a mile and then turns east and runs along Pine Creek. I would advise you to do the same as the northern trail is much easier with very little elevation gain. You'll need your endurance for the next 3 mile constant uphill challenge.Courtesy of arizonahikersguide.com
More Information
Arizona hike: Ballantine Trail
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"}.gnt_m_fs_a{color:#303030;text-decoration-color:#0098FE;text-underline-offset:2px;text-decoration-thickness:2px}.gnt_m_fs_a:hover{color:#000}.gnt_m_fs_a::after{content:'Let us know what you think.'}.gnt__mo{overflow:hidden;overflow:clip;margin-right:var(--gnt-sw,0);pointer-events:none;-webkit-user-select:none;user-select:none}.gnt_tbb{isolation:isolate;contain:content;clear:right;transform:translate3d(0,0,0);min-height:600px;margin-top:44px;font:initial;-webkit-user-select:none;user-select:none}.gnt_tbr{contain:strict;content-visibility:auto;transform:translate3d(0,0,0);height:319px!important;margin:0 auto 32px;-webkit-user-select:none;user-select:none}@media print{.gnt_bc,.gnt_em,.gnt_ft,.gnt_n_mn,.gnt_n_sm,.gnt_rr,.gnt_ss,.gnt_tb,.gnt_x__c,.gnt_xbr{display:none!important}@page{margin-top:1.5cm}.gnt_cw,.gnt_cw_w,.gnt_pr{display:block;width:auto;min-width:auto;margin:0;padding:0}.gnt_n{position:static;min-width:0;height:80px;border-bottom:2px solid #c2c2c2}.gnt_n_lg_w{padding:0}.gnt_n_lg_svg{height:50px;padding-left:0}.gnt_ar_b_p{widows:2;orphans:2}.gnt_ar_b_a{text-decoration:none}}Local Sports Things To Do Politics Real Estate Advertise Obituaries eNewspaper Legals TRAVELArizona hike: Ballantine TrailMare CzinarSpecial for The RepublicAug. 26, 2015, 1:15 p.m. MTHiking blogger Mare Czinar likes nothing better than to hit the trail. You can find more of her news and recommendations at arizonahiking.blogspot.com.
https://www.azcentral.com/story/travel/2015/08/26/arizona-hike-ballantine-trail/32074551/PERUSAHAAN DEWI11 ⨶ TERPERCAYA DENGAN PENGALAMAN BERMAIN BERKUALITAS
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https://www.toddshikingguide.com/Hikes/Arizona/Tonto/Mazatzal7.htmBe courteous, informed, and prepared. Read trailhead guidelines, stay on the trail, and don't feed the wildlife.
Read More
- Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Travel & camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of other visitors
Directions
From Rio Verde, Arizona
- Head northeast on N Medelice Ln toward N Chinle Dr (0.2 mi)
- Turn right onto Poco Rio Dr (0.2 mi)
- Turn right onto Forest Rd (1.0 mi)
- Continue onto N Fort McDowell Rd (223 ft)
- Continue onto Mustang Way (5.5 mi)
- Mustang Way turns left and becomes N Fort McDowell Rd (0.1 mi)
- Continue onto N Ft McDowell Rd (1.1 mi)
- Continue onto N Fort McDowell Rd (3.0 mi)
- Turn left onto AZ-87 NDestination will be on the right(19.5 mi)
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Brown Ranch Trail to Cone Mountain Trail
Scottsdale, Arizona
20.0 miles WHike near Scottsdale, Arizona
Hike
Jane Rau Brown's Canyon Trail
Scottsdale, Arizona
20.0 miles WA wide, semi-paved half-mile loop honors a McDowell Sonoran Conservancy pioneer with interpretive plaques, desert views, and a shaded picnic area — perfect for all ages.
Hike, Horseback, Mountain Bike
Pima and Dynamite Trail
Scottsdale, Arizona
20.1 miles WA 100-plus-mile singletrack network in North Scottsdale rolls through fast Sonoran desert terrain with variety for beginners to advanced without serious gnarly descents.
Hike, Mountain Bike 1.5 mi
The Saddle
Mesa, Arizona
20.9 miles SWAn intermediate mountain bike trail with views of the Salt River and Red Mountain, connecting to the greater Hawes trail network via scenic singletrack.
Hike, Mountain Bike 7.5 mi
Hawe's Loop
Mesa, Arizona
21.0 miles SWTwisting desert singletrack near Mesa with great flow, views of Red Mountain and the Salt River, and optional reverse laps for a serious endurance climb.
Hike, Mountain Bike
Siphon Draw Trailhead to Flatiron
Apache Junction, Arizona
21.1 miles SA 5.5-mile advanced hike in Lost Dutchman State Park up to the Flatiron — slick sections, hands-and-feet scrambling, and one of the most exhilarating summits in the Superstitions.
HikeNearby Campsites
Lower Salt River Nature Trail
Fort McDowell, Arizona
17.9 miles SWA 2-mile beginner loop alongside the Salt River in Tonto National Forest, with worn markers that keep things adventurous — watch for wild horses and spring cactus blooms.
Camp, Hike
Buckhorn Campground Nature Trail
Apache Junction, Arizona
21.4 miles SCamp and Hike near Apache Junction, Arizona
Camp, Hike
Hell's Gate
Payson, Arizona
38.8 miles NEHellsgate Wilderness hides deep canyon pools possibly separated by impassable falls in a remote 37,000-acre preserve — a true adventure for spring and fall explorers.
Backpack, Camp, Hike, Swim
Verde Hot Springs
Camp Verde, Arizona
42.0 miles NNatural hot spring pools beside the Verde River — the remnants of an old resort — reached by wading upstream from a dispersed camping area with no amenities near Sedona.
Camp, Hike, Hot Springs
Haigler Canyon Campground
Payson, Arizona
43.7 miles NEA 2007-built campground along Haigler Creek with 14 overnight sites, trout fishing stocked April through late August, and chiseled canyon swimming holes nearby.
Camp, Hike, Swim
Upper Tonto Creek Campground
Payson, Arizona
45.6 miles NEA 9-site first-come-first-served campground at the junction of Tonto and Horton Creeks — with vault toilets, drinking water, and trailheads for Horton Spring and the Highline Trail nearby.
Camp, Hike 1.1-3.5 mi
Horton Springs
Payson, Arizona
45.8 miles NEA spring on the Mogollon Rim where water emerges dramatically from the mountainside — hike the easy Horton Creek Trail through wildflowers and maples, splash in the cold creek, and camp near the spring.
Backpack, Camp, Hike 1.1 mi
Christopher Creek Campground
Payson, Arizona
45.9 miles NEA creekside campground east of Payson with swimming holes, small waterfalls, spring trout stocking, and cross-country skiing in winter — open for day-use and overnight camping spring through fall.
Camp, Canyoneer, Cross-country Ski, Hike, Swim
Aspen Campground
Payson, Arizona
49.9 miles NEA large, popular campground near Woods Canyon Lake in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest — note that Rim Road closes in winter, so the site is inaccessible during that time.
Camp
