In an effort to get out more with the family and get some physical activity, my wife and I decided to schedule in time each month to do some day hiking. There are so many Arizona hiking trails, it’s easy to find one!  We get so busy in our daily lives with family and work, we really forget to take time for ourselves.  I swear, I think it’s been more than 7 or 8 years since we’ve gone camping!  For our first family adventure we thought we’d get away from the valley and go up north about 50 miles past Payson to Kinder Crossing Trail.  It was the hike of the month in the Arizona Highways magazine. 

So we made the drive up to the trail head.  It was a really nice and easy drive, especially between Phoenix and Payson.  There’s no oncoming traffic to worry about, and you can just concentrate on your own driving, and even enjoy the views.  As I mentioned, Kinder Crossing Trail is about 50 miles north of Payson on route 87, just past the Blue Ridge Ranger Station.  We turned right on Forest Road 95, and made a left about 4 miles down the road on 95T (at the Kinder Crossing Trail sign).  The roads were pretty good up until that last left on 95T.  I would definitely recommend making your way by truck if you can.  We were in our car, and we made it just fine, but I would have felt better in a vehicle with some clearance!  We arrived at the trail head, had lunch and started on our hike.  The first section of the trail was fairly easy as we made our way to the 600 foot descent into the chasm below.

A glimpse across the chasm at Kinder Crossing Trail

A glimpse across the chasm at Kinder Crossing Trail

The descent wasn’t too difficult, lots of rocks, and rubble.  Limestone sheets were the pathways on the steepest sections of the trip down, making their way back and forth to the bottom.
Once we were at our destination it was much better than I imagined, very quite, except for the running water of the creek.  Beautiful views all around, especially across the creek – faces of rock, leading back up to the top of the chasm.
Here are some shots of the bottom:
My wife looking up the creek, watching another hiker cast his fishing line.

My wife looking up the creek, watching another hiker cast his fishing line.

Resting at the bottom of the chasm at the creek at Kinder Crossing Trail.

Resting at the bottom of the chasm at the creek at Kinder Crossing Trail.

Watching the crayfish at the bank of Clear Creek.

Watching the crayfish at the bank of Clear Creek.

A shot down clear creek right before the crossing

A shot down clear creek right before the crossing

At this point we decided to cross the creek, and see what was just over that hill in the above picture.  We found a small water fall and a nice sized pool of water, surrounded by rock formations.  It looked like it would be nice for a swim if it were a little warmer! 
Out as far as we could go before the path dopped off into the pool.

Out as far as we could go before the path dopped off into the pool.

Rock formations surrounded the pool and creek.

Rock formations surrounded the pool and creek.

I hear the trail goes on for another mile or so, but there were no markings that we could really see.  If you’re adventurous and get there early enough, you could keep going!
I would definitely recommend this hike, if you’re looking to get out and see something new!  It was just what the doctor ordered for us! 
The hike back up was a bit more strenuous than down, as you would probably imagine, but we made it ok! - A little tired at the end there, but no worse for wear!