Hackberry

The Hackberry roadless area encompasses 17,885 acres across the Coconino National Forest in central Arizona, rising from canyon bottoms to Hackberry Mountain at 5,831 feet. The landscape is defined by its drainage systems: Gap Creek originates here as a headwater of the Verde River, while Towel Creek, Bull Run Creek, Sally May Wash, Cimarron Creek, and Brushy Prong carve through canyons and hollows including Hackberry Canyon, Dorens Defeat Canyon, and Gospel Hollow. These waterways create the primary corridors of ecological productivity across an otherwise arid terrain, their presence shaping both the vegetation and the wildlife communities that depend on reliable flow.

The area transitions across distinct forest communities as elevation and moisture availability shift. At lower elevations and drier aspects, Interior Chaparral dominates, with Sonoran Scrub Oak, Pointleaf Manzanita, and Crucifixion Thorn forming dense, drought-adapted shrublands. Mid-elevation slopes support Pinyon-Juniper Woodland, where Arizona Singleleaf Pinyon and Redberry Juniper create an open canopy above a sparse understory of Palmer's Oak, near threatened (IUCN). Along the perennial and intermittent streams, Riparian forest emerges: Arizona Sycamore and Netleaf Hackberry shade the banks, with Stream Orchid flowering in the moist understory. The ground layer across these communities includes Sideoats Grama and scattered Tonto Basin Agave, while Pinkflower Hedgehog Cactus occupies rocky outcrops.

The waterways support a concentration of federally protected aquatic species found nowhere else in the region. The federally endangered Gila chub, Gila topminnow, loach minnow, razorback sucker, and spikedace inhabit these streams, their survival dependent on the specific flow regimes and habitat structure that the canyons provide. The federally endangered Southwestern Willow Flycatcher nests in the riparian canopy, hunting insects above the water. The threatened Chiricahua leopard frog breeds in pools and seeps, while the threatened Northern Mexican gartersnake and Narrow-headed gartersnake hunt along the banks. In the surrounding forest, the federally threatened Mexican Spotted Owl hunts from the canopy at night, and the threatened Yellow-billed Cuckoo moves through the riparian corridor during breeding season. The Mexican wolf, present as an experimental, non-essential population, ranges across the broader landscape as an apex predator, while American Black Bear and Mountain Lion occupy the forested slopes.

Walking through Hackberry means moving between distinct sensory worlds. A hike along Towel Creek or Bull Run Creek begins in the shade of sycamore and hackberry, the sound of water constant, the air cool and humid. As the trail climbs away from the drainage into the Pinyon-Juniper Woodland, the canopy opens, light increases, and the understory thins to scattered oak and manzanita. The transition is abrupt: from the green riparian corridor to the gray-green of juniper and pinyon, from the smell of water-loving plants to the dry, resinous scent of the chaparral. On the ridgelines and exposed slopes, the Interior Chaparral takes over entirely—a low, dense scrubland where visibility extends across the landscape and the heat is direct. Descending into another canyon system reverses the journey: the forest darkens, the air cools, and the sound of running water returns, marking the presence of another tributary feeding the Verde River system.

The Yavapai, particularly the Dilzhe'e or Tonto Yavapai, historically inhabited the Verde Valley and the rugged transition zones of the Mogollon Rim, including the Hackberry area. The Havasupai used the broader Coconino Plateau and surrounding canyons for seasonal migration and resource gathering. The word "Coconino" itself derives from Havasupai and Yavapai peoples. The area's rugged topography, with elevations ranging from 3,600 to 5,800 feet, served as a vital hunting ground for deer and other game and as a seasonal migration corridor between the high desert and the Mogollon Rim. The area is documented as a site for traditional plant gathering. Pre-contact inhabitants in the surrounding Coconino forest participated in extensive trade networks, evidenced by the discovery of marine shells and macaw remains in nearby archaeological sites, suggesting the Hackberry area was part of a well-traveled cultural landscape.

In the nineteenth century, the region experienced intensive resource extraction. The Hackberry Silver Mine, discovered in 1874, produced nearly three million dollars in silver before closing in 1919, utilizing industrial equipment such as five-stamp mills to process ore. Remnants of shafts, tailings, and equipment remain visible in the surrounding districts. The arrival of the Atlantic & Pacific Railroad (later the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe) in 1882 transformed the area's economy. The town of Hackberry relocated four miles that same year to meet the railroad, and the area subsequently became one of Arizona's most significant cattle loading points, at one time ranking third in the state for volume shipped. Livestock grazing continued under the Pivot Rock-Hackberry Range Allotment, which the Forest Service continues to evaluate and authorize.

The Coconino National Forest was established on July 2, 1908, through Presidential Proclamation signed by President Theodore Roosevelt, authorized under the Act of June 4, 1897, commonly known as the Organic Administration Act. The forest was formed by consolidating portions of the Black Mesa National Forest, portions of the Tonto National Forest, and the portion of the Grand Canyon National Forest located south and east of the Colorado River. On the same date, the Kaibab National Forest was established from other portions of the Grand Canyon National Forest. Although the 1908 proclamation is the primary founding document, the area's conservation history dates to the 1898 San Francisco Mountains National Forest Reserve. In 1919, Proclamation No. 1538 resulted in land eliminations, additions, and the transfer of certain lands from the Coconino National Forest to the Prescott National Forest.

Today, the Coconino National Forest encompasses approximately 1.856 million acres and is divided into three administrative units: the Flagstaff, Mogollon Rim, and Red Rock Ranger Districts. The Hackberry area, a 17,885-acre Inventoried Roadless Area within the Red Rock Ranger District, is protected under the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. The Hackberry General Store remains a notable historical landmark from the era of Historic Route 66.

Vital Resources Protected

Headwater Protection for the Verde River Watershed

The Hackberry area contains the headwaters of Gap Creek and feeds into the Verde River system through Towel Creek and Bull Run Creek—waterways that supply clean water to downstream communities including Camp Verde and Cottonwood. The roadless condition preserves the intact riparian vegetation and forest canopy that stabilize streambanks, filter runoff, and maintain cool water temperatures essential for the six federally endangered fish species that depend on this drainage: Gila chub, Gila topminnow, loach minnow, razorback sucker, spikedace, and woundfin. Road construction would remove this protective canopy and destabilize slopes, triggering sedimentation that smothers the gravel spawning substrate these species require and raises water temperatures beyond their thermal tolerance.

Critical Habitat for Aquatic and Riparian Specialists

Hackberry Spring and the associated stream network provide irreplaceable habitat for the federally threatened Chiricahua leopard frog, which requires permanent or semi-permanent pools with intact riparian vegetation for breeding and refuge. The area also supports populations of narrow-headed gartersnake and northern Mexican gartersnake, both federally threatened species that depend on riparian corridors with dense vegetation cover and stable water flow. Road construction in this montane terrain would fragment these riparian zones through culvert installation and streamside disturbance, isolating frog and snake populations and preventing the genetic exchange necessary for population persistence in a warming climate.

Interior Forest Habitat for Old-Growth Dependent Species

The pinyon-juniper and interior chaparral ecosystems across Hackberry's 17,885 acres provide unfragmented habitat for the federally threatened Mexican spotted owl and the proposed endangered Suckley's cuckoo bumble bee, both of which require large, continuous forest blocks without edge effects. The roadless condition maintains the structural complexity—dense canopy, varied understory, and absence of human disturbance corridors—that these species depend on for nesting, foraging, and shelter. Road construction would create fragmented patches separated by cleared rights-of-way, exposing interior forest species to increased predation, parasitism, and invasive species colonization along the disturbed corridor.

Riparian Connectivity for Migratory Songbirds

Sycamore Canyon and associated riparian areas within Hackberry provide critical breeding and stopover habitat for the federally endangered Southwestern willow flycatcher and the federally threatened yellow-billed cuckoo, both long-distance migrants that require continuous riparian vegetation corridors. The roadless condition preserves the dense willow and cottonwood stands these species need for nesting and the insect prey base that depends on intact riparian structure. Road construction would remove riparian vegetation for fill and drainage, fragmenting the corridor and eliminating the shade and moisture conditions that support the aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates these birds depend on for survival.

Threats from Road Construction

Sedimentation and Stream Temperature Increase from Canopy Removal and Slope Destabilization

Road construction requires cutting slopes and removing forest canopy along the right-of-way, exposing bare soil to erosion and eliminating the shade that keeps streams cool. In this montane terrain with steep slopes and high precipitation variability, cut slopes generate chronic sediment delivery to the drainage network, smothering the clean gravel substrate that loach minnow, spikedace, and razorback sucker require for spawning. Simultaneously, canopy removal raises water temperatures—critical because these six federally endangered fish species evolved in cold-water springs and streams and cannot tolerate the warmer conditions that result from direct solar exposure. The combination of sedimentation and warming would render the headwater streams unsuitable for reproduction, causing population collapse in species already restricted to a handful of isolated populations across the Southwest.

Culvert Barriers and Hydrological Disruption Fragmenting Aquatic Populations

Road crossings of Towel Creek, Bull Run Creek, and other perennial streams require culverts or bridges; culverts typically create velocity barriers and temperature refugia loss that prevent upstream movement of fish and aquatic invertebrates. In a landscape where federally endangered fish populations are already fragmented across isolated spring systems, road-induced barriers would prevent recolonization and genetic rescue between populations, accelerating extinction risk. Additionally, road fill and drainage ditches disrupt the natural hydrology that maintains spring flow and pool depth—the specific habitat feature currently being enhanced for Chiricahua leopard frog survival through active restoration. Road construction would reverse this conservation investment by lowering water tables and reducing the permanent pools the species requires for breeding.

Habitat Fragmentation and Edge Effects Exposing Interior Forest Species to Predation and Invasive Colonization

Road construction fragments the continuous forest block that Mexican spotted owl and Suckley's cuckoo bumble bee depend on, creating cleared corridors that expose interior habitat to increased light, wind, and temperature fluctuation. These edge effects increase predation pressure on owl nests and reduce the native flowering plants that bumble bees forage on, while simultaneously creating disturbed soil conditions ideal for invasive species establishment. Invasive grasses like cheatgrass, once established along road corridors, increase fire frequency and intensity—a particular threat in this area where decades of fire suppression have created high fuel loads. The synergistic effect of road-induced fragmentation and invasive species colonization would accelerate the transition from forest to shrubland, eliminating the old-growth structural complexity that these species require.

Riparian Vegetation Loss and Corridor Disruption Eliminating Breeding Habitat for Migratory Songbirds

Road construction through Sycamore Canyon and other riparian areas requires removal of the dense willow and cottonwood stands that Southwestern willow flycatcher and yellow-billed cuckoo depend on for nesting. The mechanical disturbance, soil compaction, and altered hydrology from road fill and drainage would prevent riparian vegetation recovery, converting breeding habitat to open, sparsely vegetated areas unsuitable for these species. Because these are long-distance migrants that return to the same breeding territories annually, loss of nesting habitat in Hackberry would eliminate a discrete population segment with no opportunity for recolonization from adjacent areas—the riparian network is too fragmented across the Southwest to support rapid reestablishment.

The Hackberry Roadless Area spans 17,885 acres of mountainous terrain in the Coconino National Forest, ranging from 3,700 feet in the Verde River canyon to 5,831 feet at Hackberry Mountain. Five maintained trails provide foot and horse access through interior chaparral and pinyon-juniper woodland, with the Verde River forming the western boundary. Because this area is managed as roadless, all recreation depends on non-motorized access—a condition that preserves the quiet, undisturbed character that defines backcountry use here.

Hiking and Horseback Riding

Five trails offer a range of difficulty. The Hackberry Trail (#177) is a 3.7-mile difficult singletrack with steep grades (average 20%, maximum 50%) and elevation change from 3,704 to 5,564 feet—a serious climb suited to experienced hikers. The Sycamore Spring Trail (#175) is gentler: 2.4 miles of intermediate terrain with only 5% average grade, running between 3,688 and 4,148 feet. The Towel Creek Trail (#67) is 7.9 miles of intermediate-to-difficult old horse trail; it passes a cattle tank at 3 miles where the path becomes unclear, then continues toward the Verde River. The Bull Run Connector (#198) and Gap Creek Trail (#517) are shorter difficult and easy options respectively. All trails are native material and can be overgrown. The Towel Creek trailhead is accessed from Forest Road 708 (Fossil Creek Road), approximately 9 miles from Highway 260. Cross-country hiking from Towel Creek reaches Hackberry Mountain's 5,831-foot summit, marked by a USGS benchmark and offering views of the Verde Rim, Squaw Peak, Pine Mountain, the Mazatzal Mountains, and Humphreys Peak. Needle Rock, a prominent outcrop opposite the Towel Creek parking area, is a notable landmark. The roadless condition means these trails remain free from motorized traffic and the fragmentation that roads would bring to the interior forest and canyon bottoms.

Hunting

The Hackberry area lies primarily in Game Management Unit 6A, with portions in GMU 19A and 22. It supports American Black Bear, Elk, Mule Deer, Coues White-tailed Deer, Pronghorn Antelope, Javelina, Mountain Lion, and Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep. Merriam's Turkey and Quail are present for upland bird hunting. Small game includes Tree Squirrel, Cottontail Rabbit, Fox, Coyote, and Bobcat. Spring seasons target Turkey, Javelina, and Bear; fall seasons include Deer, Elk, Bear, Lion, and Pronghorn. Bear hunters must contact Arizona Game and Fish within 48 hours of harvest and submit a premolar tooth within 20 days; baiting is prohibited. The rougher canyons and rims concentrate Mountain Lion, while lower canyons with prickly pear cactus are productive for fall black bear. GMU 6A is one of few Arizona units offering Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep hunting, with animals observed in adjacent Fossil Creek and East Verde River areas. Access is from Forest Road 708 to the north and Forest Road 502 to the south; because the area is roadless, hunters must pack game out on foot or horseback rather than using motorized retrieval, preserving the unfragmented habitat that supports these populations.

Fishing

The Verde River, forming the area's western boundary, supports smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, catfish, bluegill, and roundtail chub. Arizona Game and Fish stocks rainbow trout on a put-and-take basis during winter months. Gap Creek, a Verde tributary, is a management unit for roundtail chub (introduced in 2012) and is accessible via the Gap Creek Trail from Forest Road 574. Towel Creek, another Verde tributary, holds small flows between Towel Tank and the river. Roundtail chub are catch-and-release only statewide. The Towel Creek Trail (#67) provides the primary non-motorized access to interior fishing water and the Verde River; the trailhead is on Forest Road 708, approximately 9 miles from Highway 260. The Gap Creek Trail offers shorter access to the river at River Mile 8.1. Bald Eagle habitat protection creates "No Stop Zones" along the Verde River near Gap Creek from December 1 to June 30. A valid Arizona fishing license is required for anglers 10 years and older. The roadless condition preserves quiet backcountry angling and maintains the undisturbed riparian corridors that support native fish populations.

Birding

The area's riparian zones and mixed woodlands support Common Black Hawk, Western Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Bell's Vireo, and Ferruginous Hawk (a winter resident in open woodlands). Twenty-seven species of neotropical migratory birds utilize the watershed, including Sage Sparrow. Wild Turkey and Blue Grouse inhabit the forest. The Towel Creek Trail passes through riparian vegetation—hackberries, cottonwoods, sycamores, and willows—near seeps and springs that attract local birds. A 6.5-mile scenic hike past Towel Peaks leads to the Verde River, providing access to riparian birding habitat. High Saddle and the slopes of Hackberry Mountain offer vantage points for observing raptors and species of the pinyon-juniper and chaparral ecosystems. Spring and early summer are ideal for hiking Hackberry Canyon while birding, when shallow stream flows provide cooling. The area falls within the Camp Verde Christmas Bird Count circle (typically held in late December). The absence of roads preserves interior forest habitat for warblers and ovenbirds and maintains the quiet necessary for hearing songbirds.

Paddling

The Verde River, which forms the western boundary, is paddled year-round. The whitewater section from Beasley Flat (south of Camp Verde) toward Gap Creek contains Class II to Class IV rapids, including Gap Creek Rapids and Bull Run. Flatwater sections in the Verde Valley are Class I. Gap Creek serves as a documented take-out point. The river's base flow is approximately 200 cubic feet per second 90% of the time; documented low-flow kayaking occurs at around 50 cfs. The river can become dangerous following monsoon season or heavy rains. An annual Verde River Runoff kayak and canoe race has been held for nearly 20 years. Commercial outfitters operate guided kayak tours and tubing trips. Access to paddling is from established put-ins and take-outs outside the roadless area; the roadless condition preserves the undisturbed riparian corridor and wildlife habitat along the river.

Photography

Hackberry Mountain (5,831 feet) offers views north into the Verde Valley toward the San Francisco Peaks and west across the Verde River to Cedar Bench Wilderness. Towel Peaks, described as picturesque buttes and low bluffs, provide panoramic vistas of the chaparral and Verde River corridor. Needle Rock is a prominent geologic landmark. Gospel Hollow and Towel Creek contain perennial pools and riparian features with Arizona Sycamores, cottonwoods, and willows that display dramatic fall color. Documented wildflowers include Evening Scented Stock, Scarlet Gaura, Yellow Primrose, and Horehound. Wildlife photography opportunities include elk, deer, antelope, fox, coyote, and birds; the Verde River corridor supports river otters, beavers, and over 60% of the vertebrate species found in the Coconino National Forest. The Lowland Leopard Frog utilizes perennial pools in Hackberry Canyon. Due to distance from population centers, the area offers excellent stargazing at night. The roadless condition preserves the scenic integrity and wildlife habitat that make these views and wildlife encounters possible.