Our new two week boondocking spot in Pinteop Lakeside, Arizona is nestled in pine trees with daily turkey spottings. Daytime temps are perfect in the 70’s even though we’re up around 7200′. After a day of chores (laundry, a grocery pickup, and an Amazon locker pickup), we planned a ride.
Burro Mountain Loop was on our list to ride last spring but the rains kept us away. The trail is part of the White Mountain Trail Network and listed as one of the top trails in the area. We started the loop from over by the base of Lake Mountain and rode counter clockwise and then added on a trip up Lake Mountain at the end.
The loop is a good sample of all the area riding. From grassy meadows, oak tree and pine forests, to colorful ferns and rock slopes, Burro Mountain is a complete package. If you have time and energy, a climb up Lake Mountain to the lookout is novel. Plus, the trails that descend from it are fun. I was disappointed we couldn’t climb to the top of the lookout though.
Built in 1926, the Lake Mountain Lookout is one of nine fire towers on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. It is staffed from May through August so the gate was locked when we rode up so we just took pictures and headed down the singletrack. We passed by the “Lake” of Lake Mountain. It’s little more than a pond now and reminded me of Swampy Lakes in Bend.
I’d definitely recommend this loop to anyone in the area!
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