Lower Smasher Trail

Rustbucket Trail covers 3.3 miles on native material, with grades of 8 to 10 percent, so the climbing is steady for the distance. It is rated trail class 2, which means a built tread that stays rough and uneven in places rather than a smooth path. The route is numbered 181A and falls under the Red Rock Ranger District of Coconino National Forest. Bring water, because none is posted along the way, and wear shoes with grip for the loose sections. Conditions change with weather and with fire restrictions, so ask the ranger district what is open before you drive out.

Raptor Hill Trail runs about 4.69 miles and carries the number 181. The surface is native material, which means dirt and rock rather than anything laid down. Grades sit around 5 to 8 percent, steady rather than steep. Trail class 3 describes a path that is easy to follow and holds up to regular use. The Coconino National Forest manages it through the Red Rock Ranger District. At that length, plan for a few hours and take water, a map and sun protection. Weather turns the tread slick and can change how long the route takes, so check conditions with the ranger district before you go.

Bones Trail is 6.05 miles long on native material, so the tread is dirt and rock rather than gravel or pavement. Grades run 5 to 8 percent, which is a steady pull rather than a sharp climb, but the length adds up. It is rated trail class 2, meaning a built path that stays rough in places. The route is numbered 180 and falls under the Red Rock Ranger District of Coconino National Forest. Carry more water than you think you need, since there is no posted water along the way, and check with the ranger district for closures and current conditions before heading out.

Raptor Bones Connector Trail is short, about 0.18 miles, and it links other paths rather than going anywhere on its own. It carries the number 181B. The tread is native material, so dirt and rock underfoot. Grades run around 5 to 8 percent, which is gentle. Trail class 3 points to a clear, well defined path. The Coconino National Forest looks after it through the Red Rock Ranger District. Because this is a connector, look at a map of the whole loop before setting out so you know what it joins. Check with the ranger district for closures, and bring water even on a short walk.

Tuzigoot National Monument sits at 25 Tuzigoot Rd in Clarkdale and is run by the National Park Service. It opens 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. every day and closes on Thanksgiving Day, December 25 and New Year's Day. Entry is $10 for one adult aged 16 and over, and the same ticket covers Montezuma Castle for 7 days. Listed activities are guided and self-guided walking tours, hiking, museum exhibits, a bookstore and park store, birdwatching and a Junior Ranger program. The phone number is (928) 634-5564 and the email is moca_tuzi_info@nps.gov. Check nps.gov for directions.

Bones Trail is 6.05 miles long on native material, so the tread is dirt and rock rather than gravel or pavement. Grades run 5 to 8 percent, which is a steady pull rather than a sharp climb, but the length adds up. It is rated trail class 2, meaning a built path that stays rough in places. The route is numbered 180 and falls under the Red Rock Ranger District of Coconino National Forest. Carry more water than you think you need, since there is no posted water along the way, and check with the ranger district for closures and current conditions before heading out.

Deadman Pocket Trail runs 5.2 miles through the Bradshaw Ranger District of Prescott National Forest, near Clarkdale. It is trail number 0117. The typical grade is 12 to 20 percent, which is the steep end of what we list anywhere in the area, so treat the distance as slower than it looks on paper. Native material underfoot, class 2. Hiking and horses are the allowed uses. Bicycles are not listed. Carry more water than you think you need for a climb this sustained, and check the forest for closures before heading out, because district conditions change with weather and fire.

Deadman Trail is short and steep. It covers 1.59 miles on native material, with grades in the 12 to 20 percent range, so the climbing is sustained for its length. The route is rated trail class 1, the roughest built class, meaning a faint and narrow tread in places where route finding matters. It is open to hiking, horseback riding and bicycles, and is numbered 29 under Kaibab National Forest. Sturdy footwear helps, and a trail map is worth carrying because a class 1 path can be easy to lose. Check with the forest for closures and conditions before you drive out.