Tonto Natural Bridge, Arizona
From Astertiki, your guide to being outside
Tonto Natural Bridge, Arizona
| type : | hiking |
|---|---|
| state : | arizona |
| city : | payson |
| country : | united-states |
| difficulty : | easy |
Adventure Tag Name
The bridge is believed to be the largest natural travertine bridge in the world. Travertine is calcium carbonate rock that "grows" by the action of the growth and decay of organisms and micro-organisms living on its surface. The life cycles of these organisms precipitates additional carbonaceous layers. Over thousands of years the process formed a damn across the canyon but eventually Pine creek eroded through the travertine, forming the bridge - a 400 foot long tunnel that is 183 feet high and is 150 feet wide at the widest point.
Summary
| Distance: | 3 Trails - the longest is about1/2 mi. in length. |
| Difficulty: | Moderate, not quite Difficult - steep, uneven stairs - slick footing. |
| Hike Time: | NA - allow about 3 hours at the park - more to visit the gift shop. |
| Elevation: | 4525 ft. - The trails have about 200 ft of elevation change. |
| Season: | Year round (closed Christmas day). |
| USGS Maps: | Buckhead Mesa |
| Directions from Payson: | From the US 263/US 87 junction in Payson, drive approx. 10.4 mi. north on US 87. Turn left about 0.1mi past mile marker 263 onto the paved road to the park. The turn is marked by a sign. From US 87, drive 3 mi. West to the park entrance. |
Details
Tonto Natural Bridge is a state park - the use fee was $5.00 in Nov. 2001. The Park has varied seasonal hours - call the park office (928) 476-4202 for their schedule. From the parking areas there are two main access routes to the observation deck located at the creek bottom on the South side of the bridge. Pets are not allowed on the trails.
While this state Park is a gem, it is a unique destination that can hardly be considered a trek. The trails are short and really not that difficult and the overlooks offer access to all.
Pine Creek Trail
The 1/2 mile long Pine Creek Trail head is located at the North end of the Northern parking lot, looping down to the creek bottom and then following Pine Creek South to (and under) the bridge. This trail is maintained for about 400 ft down to the creek bottom and although marked, the trail is not maintained along the creek bottom. The Pine Creek Trail is somewhat difficult, requiring boulder hopping and scrambling along the creek bottom and the sides of the canyon. The going is very slick on the boulders under the bridge.
Gowan Loop Trail
The Gowan Loop Trail is also about 1/2 mile in length, approaching the observation deck from the South end of the Southern parking lot. On the West side of the bridge, the trail leads South down the side of the canyon before looping back over a small walking bridge to the observation deck. From the East side of the bridge, there is a short trail leading to stairs directly down to the observation deck. The stairs in this section of the Gowan Loop trail are extremely uneven and steep, although there is a handrail of sorts, fashioned from cables.
In addition to these two access trails, there are four Viewpoints (three are handicap accessible) at the parking lot level.
Water from a small spring flows over the south side of the bridge and falls onto the boulders in the creek bottom by the observation deck. The resulting micro ecosystem of multi-colored mosses, algae, plants, etc covering the boulders is spectacular.
Waterfall Trail
There is another short, steep trail (and more uneven stairs), the Waterfall Trail, which is located at the South end of the Northern Parking area. This short trail (300 ft) along the side of the cliff allows you to observe the travertine process in action as a small amount of water flows down the side of the canyon producing caves and stalactites from the "growing" rock face. The trail ends at Waterfall Cave.
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