State: Arizona
Location: Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest
Length: 30 miles
Minimum Elevation: 9000 feet
Best Season: Year-Round
Usage: Moderate
Pole Knoll Recreationj Area
Trail Information
Pole Knoll is very typical of the knolls that grace the White Mountains. The north side is heavily timbered with spruce, fir and aspen. The west and south aspects are mainly bunch-grass with some mixed conifers toward the top. The east side of the knoll is a mixture of ponderosa pine, spruce, fir, aspen and even a few hardy oak trees. Trails and roads provide access to most sections of the knoll. The trail system covers all terrain found on the knoll. Vehicles are prohibited from the fragile grass slopes and the recently built trails in the forested areas. Please obey all road closure signs. There are enough roads without making new ones. The Pole Knoll cross country ski area is closed to motorized vehicles, including snowmobiles.
Each trail has been given a name. The trails originating from the Pole Knoll side have descriptive names and the names of birds and animals. The trails originating from below, near Greer, have been given numbered designations. Pamphlets describing the trails are available at the sign-in register at each of the trailheads. Please return the pamphlet when you are through so that others might use it.
The Pole Knoll area offers fantastic views of the White Mountains, both in the distance and close up. Keep your eyes to the ground and you may see wildflowers, mushrooms and animal tracks. Look up and you can see Sunrise Lake, Sunrise Peak and Mt. Baldy stretched out to the southwest, Greens Peak to the north and the Little Colorado Basin to the east.
When winter comes, the Pole Knoll Recreation Area becomes a popular snowshoeing location.
Directions
Pole Knoll is located to the south of Arizona 260, about 14 miles west of Springerville/Eagar.
There are two trailheads. The main one is located just off Arizona 260 and provides parking for up to 20 vehicles. In addition to a parking area, toilets and an information board are available.
The secondary trailhead is located off Arizona 373, north of Greer. Parking is available for 6 to 8 vehicles and an information board is there.
No overnight camping is allowed in the parking areas.
