Arizona hike: Round Valley Trail, Payson

Hiking blogger Mare Czinar likes nothing better than to hit the trail. You can find more of her news and recommendations at arizonahiking.blogspot.com.

The Payson Area Trails System is a collection of routes weaving through the business districts and suburbs of this central Arizona town. The trails tie in nicely with nearby Tonto National Forest routes and most are open to hikers, equestrians, bikers and ATV users alike.

Round Valley Trail begins in a quiet residential neighborhood with a climb along footpaths and four-wheel-drive roads that leads to scenic high points with far-ranging views of the flat-topped Mogollon Rim and majestic peaks of the Mazatzal Mountains. Because many unsigned roads bisect the route, be sure to look for PATS signs to stay on track.

Even though it's close to civilization, the trek offers a genuine outdoor escape as it runs through undulating juniper-pine forests south of town. In springtime, wildflowers such as the ground-hugging purple blossoms of the feather-plume dalia and wild carrot pop up from the loose, rocky soil. One of the trail's most prolific spring bloomers is a shrub called Gregg's Ceanothus, which sprouts tiny white or pink flowers that release a lilac fragrance from March through May.

After topping out at 5,200 feet, the trail dips into Round Valley and curves toward State Route 87 where the sweet wildflower breezes mingle with the aroma of burgers and fries as the path approaches its west trailhead at the Sonic restaurant parking lot near Mazatzal Casino.

Length: 4.5 miles one way.

Rating: Easy-moderate.

Elevation: 4,800-5,200 feet.

Getting there: East trailhead: From Phoenix, take State Route 87 north to Payson. Just past the Mazatzal Casino, turn east on Phoenix Street (easy to miss, near the Circle K). Go 1.6 miles to Gibson Court, turn south and continue 0.1 mile to the inconspicuous trailhead on the left. There's parking along the road and in a cul de sac a few yards up the street. Do not block private drives. West trailhead: At the south end of the Sonic restaurant at Mazatzal Casino.

Details:paysonrimcountry.com/Mountain-Recreation/Hiking-Trails/Payson-Area-TrailSystem.