White Mountains National Recreation Area

In the White Mountains NRA, there are over 200 miles of maintained winter trails leading to jagged limestone mountains and cliffs, high mountain passes, and broad rounded valleys. Two of these trails, Summit Trail and Ski Loop Trail, are also recommended for use during the summer. (Wet, boggy conditions in the summer make most of the trails quite muddy and therefore not recommended.) Snowmobiling, dog mushing, and cross-country skiing are appropriate activities during the winter. Ski-joring (cross-country skiing while being pulled by dogs) is a rapidly growing winter sport.

BLM has three maintained trailheads for trails leading into the White Mountains NRA:

At milepost 28 Elliott Highway is the beginning of the Wickersham Creek and Summit trails. The Summit Trail is open to non-motorized use only and is mostly unmaintained in the winter. This trail climbs above treeline, offering spectacular views and winter camping opportunities. The Wickersham Creek Trail leads to Beaver Creek, 20 miles from the road. There are several junctions connecting to other trails along this route. There is also a connecting trail between the Wickersham Creek Trail and the Summit Trail, forming a five-mile Ski Loop Trail back to the parking area.

The trails from this trailhead connect with the Moose Creek Trail, Big Bend Trail, Fossil Creek Trail, and the Trail Creek Trail.

At milepost 57 Elliott Highway is the Colorado Creek Trail that leads into the White Mountains NRA and the heart of the White Mountains range. This trail passes through spruce forests before climbing over the ridge into the Beaver Creek drainage and revealing panorama views of the White Mountains range.

The trail from this trailhead connects with the Fossil Gap Trail, Windy Creek Trail, and the Cache Mountain Loop Trail.

At milepost 42.5 Steese Highway is the trailhead for the McKay Creek Trail. The McKay Creek Trail leads into the Ophir Creek valley and connects with the Trail Creek Trail near Cache Mountain Cabin.