Accessing Arizona

The original post for Rim Lakes Vista Trail # 622 is below. I recently revisited the trail and was reminded that this is likely the best wheelchair trail in Arizona. I love the Cape Royal Trail on the north rim of the Grand Canyon for its amazing view and a few others, but Rim Lakes Vista #622 is over a half mile of nothing but amazing views. The majority of it is well designed and offers numerous places to get your chair right on the edge.

Here’s a few photos to make my case;

There's a few small parking lots. I suggest going to the last one (very west) and look for this sign.

The trail head immediately takes you to the edge of the Mogollon Rim

Basically the trail is one long photo opportunity.

This is about how much I trust my wheelchair isnt going to malfunction. It's 500'-1,000' sheer drop.

ORIGINAL POST (JUNE 2007)

Its June and 107 degrees in Phoenix, so I headed 2 hours northeast thru Payson to the Mogollon Rim. Ahhhhhhhhhh, now its 79 degrees.

Once on top of the rim, look for the Woods Canyon Lake turn off. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that the huge cliff on the left is the Mogollon Rim. It’s one helluva view.

The first parking area you come to is the Military Sinkhole Vista. You start here or the 2nd turn off which is Woods Canyon Vista.

The trail is asphalt and maybe 40″ wide. It’s 3.5 miles long and follows the contours of the cliff so some places are pretty steep. Too steep for me to push solo, especially at 7,500 elevation. I’m huffing and puffing. Gloves are a must as you dont want your braking to fail when your 4′ from the ledge. Paras and power wheelchair users would find the ride very enjoyable.

Woods Canyon Lake is 2 miles away and is pretty accessible itself. We ran out of time, but soon I want explore the Meadow Trail #505 which goes from the Woods Canyon parking lot approximately 1.8 miles to the lake.

I give this trail my highest rating. The view is 2nd to none.

Annie and me at the Vista Trail atop the Mogollon Rim, just north of Payson. The view is spectacular.

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