Arizona · Hiking

Davey Gowan

3.7 mi
round trip
3,192 ft
climb
6,141 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Mar–May, Oct
best months

Is Davey Gowan open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists 4 alerts for Tonto National Forest.

As of · Source: USFS · Tonto National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Davey Gowan is a hard hike in the Tonto Basin Ranger District of Arizona's Tonto National Forest, managed by the Forest Service. The route is an out-and-back of about 3.7 miles, with a total elevation gain of 3,192 feet. The high point is 6,141 feet, and the trail starts at 6,122 feet, so the climb is steep from the outset. The steepest stretch comes at about 0.74 miles, where the grade reaches 47 percent. The trail is natural-surface and does not allow bikes. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Payson show October highs around 76°F with lows near 41°F, while July highs average about 93°F. That station sits roughly 1,300 feet lower than the trail's high point, so temperatures on the route run cooler. The hike takes about three hours. Gold Ridge is about 0.6 miles away, and Fisher, Deer Creek and Saddle Mountain Trail #91 are all within about 4.5 miles.

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · Mar–May, Oct

    Best time to visit Davey Gowan

    Best months: March–May and October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      56° / 26°

      5 wet

    2. Feb

      58° / 28°

      5 wet

    3. Mar

      65° / 32°

      5 wet

    4. Apr

      72° / 36°

      3 wet

    5. May

      80° / 43°

      2 wet

    6. Jun

      90° / 51°

      2 wet

    7. Jul

      93° / 60°

      8 wet

    8. Aug

      91° / 59°

      11 wet

    9. Sep

      86° / 52°

      6 wet

    10. Oct

      76° / 41°

      4 wet

    11. Nov

      64° / 31°

      4 wet

    12. Dec

      55° / 26°

      5 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Payson, AZ, 16.7 mi away at 4,850 ft. The station sits about 1,300 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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