Timber Mesa Trail is a 7.4 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Show Low, Arizona that offers scenic views and is rated as moderate. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from March until January.
hiking
mountain biking
trail running
walking
views
Directions from Lakeside: Drive on State Highway 260 towards McNary. Turn left on Porter Mountain Road (Forest Road 45). Drive 2.2 miles. Turn left at the cattle guard. Drive 75 yards to the cindered trailhead on the right.
Enjoyed the west side of the trail and the views. The east portion of the loop offered no variety of scenery and limited shade due to the thinning project.
It used to be a beautiful trail however it looks like the forest service has let loggers in there and bare and they literally have just cleaned it out very disappointing
great trail. very well marked...like every quarter mile. read map at trailhead it gives you perfect instructions on following trail markers. there are maps for you at trail head. awesome!!
Court N.
Trail markers exist, but who knows what trail you are on!? Ridiculously confusing making GPS and backtracking mandatory! Hike itself is awesome, but GPS is mandatory.
Tough bike ride, kicked my butt, but I'm out of shape. I went counterclockwise. The section from the trailhead to the right hand turn is totally rocky, couldn't bike it. After the right turn to go counterclockwise, it is mostly smooth sailing, really nice fast pine needle covered track. But, once you make the u-turn the trail skirts the whole way along the bluff for great views. Unfortunately pretty much that whole section along the bluff was way too difficult for me to bike because it is so rocky. At least three spots, in which the bike would not even fit, so had to carry. Anyway, great ride, I think it is more like 8+ miles.
Nice trails
Except for the length this is an easy trail. Nice views, partially shaded, quiet once you get away from the road.
Trail has some gorgeous views during the first 3miles. Trail is clearly marked, follow the blue diamonds all the way. We did this and it ended up being 8.49 miles w elevation gain/loss 679 ft. Would come back but would probably hike 3 miles or so then turn around and go back the same way to enjoy the views again.
Good trail to hike that is close to the city of Show Low. Great views of the town including, show low lake, Scotts Reservoir, and scenic meadow views. Be careful of looming thunder clouds and storms, they come quick and hard! Many intersecting trails, but if you have no time limit, just keep going and eventually you will end up where you started.
Another one of my favorite hikes in this area. I have often Mountain Biked it too! Can be a bit hard to follow for the first timer. This is one of many trails in the White Mountain Trail System. A book detailing all the trails can be bought for a few dollars at the Pinetop/Lakeside Chamber of Commerce.
www.tracks-pinetop-lakeside.org/trails/trails.htm
Ken S.
Nice views of Show Low and surrounding area from part of the trail. Not very well marked. Many intersecting trails and roads. It was meant to be a short hike for a few hours and turned in to much longer because we apparently ended up on a different trail. Eventually came to a sign that marked 2 miles to trailhead (about the time we should have been back). Hiked another 40 minutes and came to ANOTHER sign marked 2.5 miles to the trailhead! Got out off the trail just before dark! Wouldn't have been too concerning except it was later in the year and getting chilly and we had our daughter in a carrier without adequate warm layers. So maybe bring a map of the trail system if you can find one or be prepared for a longer hike than what it says!