AZ-Lanphier+Canyon


 * =Birding in Arizona=

Greenlee County
=Lanphier Canyon= Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest Blue, AZ 85922 Lanphier Canyon webpage

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Lanphier Canyon
Coordinates: 33.5733666, -109.1183996 eBird links: Hotspot map View details Recent visits My eBird links: Location life list Submit data

About Lanphier Canyon
Lanphier Canyon provides a scenic access route into the northeastern section of the Blue Primitive Area.

Like all Wilderness and Primitive Area trails, # 52 is open to hiking and livestock use, but all types of motorized and mechanized travel are prohibited.

The trail follows Lanphier Canyon for most of its 5-mile course winding in and out of that shallow gorge providing scenic views as it reaches high ground and offering the pleasant surroundings of rich green riparian vegetation as it descends back to the streambed. At its high points, views of Bear Mountain, Lanphier Peak, and overlooks of Lanphier Canyon are the reward for the climb. About 2.7 miles from the trailhead a major tributary called Indian Creek shelters an exceptionally lush riparian area which you may want to stop and enjoy.

Beyond Indian Creek Canyon the trail slants up the canyon slopes to offer even broader panoramas to the south and west. About one-half mile beyond the confluence of Lanphier and Indian Creeks, the trail climbs the north slope of the canyon and meanders through a series of secluded basins before dropping back into the canyon. Vegetation varies as the trail gains and looses altitude and the area through which it passes becomes more or less exposed.

Trailside trees vary through the entire range found in the Blue with ponderosa pine and white fir holding the high ground and cool sheltered areas, while pinyon, juniper and scrub oak claim the hotter, dryer south slopes. Maples, walnuts, alders and box elders thrive in the streamside oases.

As the trail nears its end, it crosses the creek one last time at a pleasant spot marked by pools of water bordered by moss covered rocks. From that point, the trail heads up slope to its junction with the Cow Flat Trail (# 55). From Lanphier Canyon webpage

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media type="custom" key="29254077" || L4910937 US US-AZ US-AZ-011 33.5733666 -109.1183996 Lanphier Canyon