Mt. Ord Trail

5/5 (6 reviews)
Payson, Arizona (Maricopa County)
Last Updated: 07/07/2021

Trail Information

Highlights

If you have ever visited Phoenix, Arizona in the summertime, you probably know why it is the air conditioning capital of the U.S. It's during these months when most Phoenicians look at any outdoor activity as nothing short of cruel and unusual punishment, so it shouldn't surprise readers to know that we are always thinking of ways of escaping the heat by invading the northern portion of this great state. The problem is that many of us don't have the luxury to visit Flagstaff or Pinetop for an extended period of time. Fortunately, there is a quick solution, and that is a brief trip to this very easy trail located in the Tonto National Forest. Now if you are looking for a challenging trail, this isn't your route. The trail is comfortably graded, and the most serious danger you will encounter is probably the complacency you will feel when driving faster than you would on more technical trails. That being said, this trail isn't without reward. You will be greeted by a gorgeous view of the expansive Tonto wilderness, all the while experiencing 20-30º cooler temperature than the pits of hell.... I mean Phoenix. The top of Mt. Ord is a great spot for sunset watching, date night, or even camping. There are many campsites available throughout the trail, and they are typically empty. This trail also offers excellent stargazing and astronomy photography spots. The trail is pretty short - it only took me thirty minutes to make it to the top, so next time you have a couple hours to burn and don't feel like prepping your recovery equipment, head up ASR 87 and check out Mt. Ord.

Trail Difficulty and Assessment

Trail Navigation

Trail Reviews

5/5 (6)
Open
Visited: 10/13/2021
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

Great trail for a day trip. Headed up today, in good condition, views are spectacular. Plan on returning for a night of camping.
Official Crew
67750
Open
Visited: 07/07/2021

Arizona National Forests and State Lands are back open for travel. There are still some very important fire restrictions in place. These restrictions can often change by specific areas.
Official Crew
67750
Temporary Closure
Visited: 06/25/2021

Tonto National Forest officials will close the state’s largest national forest due to ongoing extreme fire danger beginning at 8 a.m. on Friday, June 25. The forest is implementing this forest closure as a precaution to protect the health and safety of the public, employees and firefighters by reducing the risk of human-caused fires. No one is allowed in the closure area, including Forest Service personnel, unless they are responding to a wildfire or other emergency or patrolling to ensure enforcement of the closure. The order shall remain in effect until July 31, 2021 or until rescinded, whichever occurs first. Residents or businesses using roads in the restricted area to the extent necessary to access their private property are exempt.
Official Crew
67750
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 02/05/2021

The #TontoNF will be terminating the Bush Post Fire Flooding Public Safety Closure Order effective Friday, Feb. 5, 2021, at 8 a.m. In mid-June of last year, the Bush Fire scorched almost 200,000 acres on the Mesa and Tonto Basin Ranger Districts in the Four Peaks Area. Following the fire, a Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team conducted assessments to identify impacts and recommend actions for mitigating risk in and around the burned area.
Official Crew
106550
Permanently Closed
Visited: 06/04/2018

This trail is temporarily closed due to fire dangers.

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