I mentioned a couple weeks ago on my facebook page, that I had taken a day ride with family and friends in the Pole Knoll Recreation Area of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, and that I would make a blog post with pictures soon. Sorry it took so long.

Pole Knoll is a designated USFS recreation area located on US 260 about 12 or so miles west of Eagar, Arizona. It is about two miles west of the turnoff to Greer. Coming east from Show Low on US 260, you would find it about 5 miles past the turnoff to Sunrise Ski Resort, about a quarter-mile after you come off the top meadows and re-enter the forest. The entrance is marked well and is on the south side of the highway.

After turning off, you will drive about a quarter-mile on a paved road to the parking area. There is sufficient parking and turn-around space for even fairly large trailers. There are bathrooms, but I don’t recall any water, electric, or other services, besides picnic tables. There is a registry on a board, with the area regulations posted. Interestingly, the board indicates “No overnight camping”. However, I am certain that refers specifically to the area immediately surrounding the parking area, since camping is unregulated throughout the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest.  It is neither a national or state park. There are no restrictions to stay on designated paths. They are there for convenience and so folks don’t get lost.

There are marked trails leading away from the parking area, all of which eventually lead back into each other and return you to the parking area. There area USFS sign posts to tell you where the trails lead, with mileage.  I would love to be able to tell you how many miles each trail was, but since we didn’t stick with the trails, I can’t.  What I can tell you, is that no matter where you go in this area, it is a beautiful and pleasant ride.

We headed out on the Pole Knoll trail, which, if one actually follows it, leads up to the top of Pole Knoll. I expect the elevation at the top is near 9,500 feet, but since you are starting out at near 9,000, it’s not all that impressive, as mountains go, ergo the designation “knoll”. The trail to the knoll probably is no longer than four or five miles, and would make a comfortable morning or afternoon ride. The trail is not particularly challenging and is suitable for all levels of riders and horses. Although the elevation is high, if you have been in the area a day or two, both you and your horses will be fine for this ride.

Heading up the trail

For our ride, we followed the lead of my sister and brother-in-law, Tina and Kelly LeSueur, who have spent some time riding in the area. About a mile from the parking area, we came to  a fork in the trail.  We took the left fork, which passes around the base of Pole Knoll (the right fork leads to the summit). After a short half-mile or so, we came out into a large meadow.  At this point Tina and Kelly left us and headed back to their trailer, as they had an afternoon appointment in town. Dad, my friend Sterling and his son, and I continued our ride.

We left the designated trail and headed out across the meadow to see what there was to see. We went into the forest on the other side of the meadow and entered an area that must have been one of the last areas left open to logging in the national forest. The area was open, with nice, large trees, and little scrub brush, a good, healthy forest. A little farther along, we entered an area that was the result of many years of poor forest management where the forest was overgrown, with scrawny trees growing so close you couldn’t pass through on a horse. The difference between the two areas is stark. I much prefer riding through the more open areas that were thinned by logging many years ago. There is much debate with regard to forest management and the current government prohibition against logging and thinning, but that’s for another post.

As we passed through some of that area, Honey, the mule my dad was riding, stepped on something that popped a stick up under her belly…so we think anyway…and she thought she was snake bit or something. She gave a couple nice bucks, which unseated Dad, then a quick turn to the right, and off he went! Luckily, Dad landed in about the only soft spot in the area, and suffered only a bruised backside. Old Honey stopped only a few steps away and looked pretty embarrassed and concerned. She stood quietly while Dad got back on. We finished the ride with no further excitement. Dad turned 79 this month. I hope I can handle getting bucked off when I’m his age.

Another half-mile or so along, we came up to a canyon we believe is the canyon of the Little Colorado River. The drop-off was too steep to attempt a descent where we were, so we couldn’t tell for sure, but it offered some very nice views. We followed the rim back to the east and eventually came to a promontory that gave a nice view of Greer, Arizona. We stopped and took a few pictures.

Just as we were getting back underway, I spied a couple of wild turkeys roosted just about twenty feet off the trail. Amazingly they hadn’t seen or heard us, but were still sound asleep. I pointed at them to show Dad while I was groping to get my camera out and turned on. Dad never saw me point, but he saw the turkeys. He gave a loud whisper, “Tony! There’s some turkeys!” Well, that woke them up! That was all it took and off they went. Turned out there was a whole flock of them, probably ten or twelve in all, and off they all flew, gliding down the valley. I just grinned at Dad and said, “Oh, really?” We had a good chuckle over it. It’s good to have something to rib your dad about when you’re both out doing the thing you love best in the world.

As we rounded the hill we came upon an old logging trail and followed it down a ways to a nice grassy spot where we enjoyed our lunches and let the horses graze a bit. From that point we were back on a trail, more like a four-wheel-drive trail, but it appeared to lead off toward the east, whereas we needed to head back northwest to get back to the parking area. I suppose one could follow the old logging trails all the way to Greer and further if he wished, but our ride was just for the day. We cut cross-country heading back, just letting the horses have their head. Another mile or so along, we popped back out onto one of the designated trails and followed it back to the parking area. Our entire ride was a matter of about three hours, covering no more than five miles.

All in all, it was a very nice, relaxing trail ride. In this area one could go for hours or for days. There are trails leading up onto the plateau where the Big Lake Recreation Area is, as well as many other directions one might take. As I said before, riding and camping are unregulated in this area. Four-wheelers, bikes, and vehicles are allowed. There are no leash laws for your trail dogs either. I’ve never seen more than two cars in the parking area, and it’s likely you’ll be the only ones in the area. It’s just a great place to ride.

Wildlife you stand a good chance of seeing are elk, mule deer, pronghorn (American Antelope), turkey, coyote, and black bear. If you’re lucky, you might catch a glimpse of a mountain lion.

I hope you enjoyed the narrative and the pictures. Take a look at the area on Google Earth or Google Maps. You’ll see what I’m talking about. If you happen to be passing through the area, take a ride through the Pole Knoll Recreation Area.

Take care and keep riding.