| The Half Moon Lake Trail is located in the Williams | | | | down to Lookout Meadow if you're running short on |
| Valley Winter Recreation Area of the Apache National | | | | time. However, the next couple of miles is the best |
| Forest and falls under the jurisdiction of the Alpine | | | | part of the day since you are now on the Half Moon |
| Ranger District. The Half Moon Lake Trail is the longest | | | | Lake Trail ! Within a 1/4 mile on your left (east) will be |
| in the trail system, approximately 10 miles and offers | | | | Half Moon Lake itself. N3350.765' & W10912.840' - |
| year around recreation for hiking and biking during the | | | | Elevation 9200'. For most of the year the lake is dry |
| summer and x-country/back-country skiing in the | | | | and is pretty much a "mud hole", but after the spring |
| winter. | | | | snow melt and during monsoon season the lake does |
| Directions : Approximately 4.5 hours from Phoenix, | | | | fill up with water. This is a great camping destination |
| Tucson or El Paso. From the intersection of US191 | | | | and a favorite hang out for massive bull elk. |
| & US 180 in Alpine, Arizona. Travel north on US | | | | After leaving Half Moon Lake the trail is pretty easy to |
| 191 approximately 2 miles to the Forest Road 249 | | | | follow with blue diamonds in the trees every few |
| turnoff. During the summer the sign reads "Big Lake" | | | | hundred feet. You will stay on top of the mountain |
| with an arrow pointing west and in the winter the sign | | | | (part of South Mountain) for a mile and then the trail will |
| is flipped down and reads "Williams Valley Winter | | | | drop off back west. You will come to an open area |
| Recreation Area". Turn west and travel 3.4 miles to a | | | | and for lack of a better term an "intersection". There |
| wide spot in the road with a Forest Service kiosk just | | | | will be a blue diamond in a ponderosa pine with an |
| below the road berm (south side). This locates you in | | | | arrow pointing west. N3350.560' & W 10911.935' - |
| the middle of the Williams Valley Winter Recreation | | | | Elevation 9350'. This is now a two-track road again, |
| Area. The area is closed to motorized travel. | | | | follow it for 3/4 mile and it will make a gradual descent. |
| N3351.760' & W10913.205' - Elevation 8675'. | | | | To your left (SW) you will notice a meadow forming |
| Head due south across the meadow, climb a slight | | | | through the trees, it's best to cut through the trees and |
| incline and head for the tree line. You will pick up a trail | | | | into the meadow. However, if you stay on the |
| known as the Valley Loop. Head west on this easy to | | | | two-track it will drop you midway into the meadow. |
| follow trail as it meanders through the forest, veers | | | | This is the start of three "Hanging Meadows" that drain |
| south, passes a gate and opens up into Lookout | | | | the north slope of the entire area. This is one of the |
| Meadow. N3351.615' & W10913.775' - Elevation | | | | most beautiful and remote location in Alpine....it is also |
| 8800'. The Lookout Meadow Loop is a great short | | | | the locals favorite area for skiing since there are |
| outing in itself, perhaps 1 1/2 hours and back to your | | | | numerous telemark ski hills and great sunny picnic |
| vehicle. However, if you have a few extra hours, veer | | | | areas. |
| to the right (SW) and bust a move uphill for a half mile | | | | Continue to travel to the west and follow the |
| or so. You will come to a fork in the trail with a sign | | | | meadows edge (either side) downhill. You will come to |
| designating the right fork as Up & Over. There is | | | | another water tank, which is also deeper than it looks ! |
| no trickery here, the trail literally goes up and over and | | | | N3350.805' & W10912.535' - Elevation 9200'. To |
| is only about 1/3 of a mile long. Once you are "over" - | | | | the south and uphill of this tank is another large |
| you will be on the Isolation Meadow Trail. N3351.430' | | | | meadow which is fun to explore on skis or hiking - it's |
| & W10914.155' - Elevation 8770'. Take this trail to | | | | also loaded with great camp locations. As you look |
| the southeast for a long uphill slog, you will pass a cool | | | | downhill and to the west, you will see the last of the |
| little water tank that's a lot deeper than it looks ! | | | | three Hanging Meadows. Continue downhill and go up |
| Continue uphill and you will arrive at a woodpile in the | | | | and over a Forest Service berm. This trail is quite |
| trail with a gate just beyond. Travel though the gate | | | | rocky with loose scree; it's a great place for mountain |
| approximately 200 yards and to the northeast you will | | | | bikers that prefer "rock gardens". Within a half mile you |
| see a "blue diamond" as a trail designation attached to | | | | will pass the lower trail head of Ya Hoo, another half |
| a large aspen tree. N3351.050' & W 10914.055' - | | | | mile and you will drop into the eastern edge of Lookout |
| Elevation 8980'. | | | | Meadow. N3351.275' & W10913.425' - Elevation |
| For the next 3/4 mile you will be heading in an easterly | | | | 8880'. You will pass another gate and continue along |
| direction and slowly climbing - the trail is established, but | | | | the two-track road which is on the northern edge of |
| look for the blue diamonds in the trees to keep you on | | | | Lookout Meadow - another half mile and you will |
| route. Eventually you will come to a two-track road. | | | | recognize your original point of entry into Lookout |
| N3350.975' & W10913.635' - Elevation 9020'. | | | | Meadow a few hours before. |
| Follow this two-track uphill to the northeast, the blue | | | | The route described is over 10 miles and will take 3-4 |
| diamonds will still guide you along. Once you "top-out" | | | | hours hiking or 2 hours to bike or ski. Keep a close |
| the trail will begin to meander through the forest with | | | | watch on the weather, especially during our |
| the odd undulation and occasional meadow. You will | | | | July-September monsoon season, it rains almost every |
| pass a trail named Ya Hoo, this trail will drop you back | | | | afternoon with frequent lightening strikes. |