Arizona · Hiking

Gold Ridge

11.0 mi
round trip
5,962 ft
climb
6,096 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Mar–May, Oct
best months

Is Gold Ridge open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Tonto National Forest. It doesn't name Gold Ridge, so check the source for the area it covers.

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

Gold Ridge 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 11 miles, with a total elevation gain of nearly 6,000 feet. The trail starts at about 6,070 feet and climbs to a high point of 6,096 feet, then descends back to the starting elevation. The steepest stretch comes at about 3.5 miles in, where the grade reaches 38 percent. 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, and April highs around 72°F. That station sits roughly 1,200 feet lower than the trail's high point, so temperatures on the ridge run cooler. The Deer Creek Trailhead is the parking for this hike, and the route is open year-round. Plan for about 6.5 hours on the trail. Davey Gowan is about half a mile away, and Deer Creek and Fisher are both within about 3.5 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 Gold Ridge

    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, 16.8 mi away at 4,850 ft. The station sits about 1,200 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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