Half Moon Lake Trail – Alpine, AZ
The Half Moon Lake Trail is located in the Williams Valley Winter Recreation Area of the Apache National Forest and is under the jurisdiction of the Alpine Ranger District. The Half Moon Lake trail is the longest in the trail system, approximately 10 miles, and offers year-round recreation for hiking and biking in the summer and cross-country / cross-country skiing in the winter.
Directions: Approximately 4.5 hours from Phoenix, Tucson, or El Paso. From the intersection of US191 and US 180 in Alpine, Arizona. Head north on US 191 approximately 2 miles to the 249 Forest Road turnoff. During the summer the sign reads “Big Lake” with an arrow pointing west and in the winter the sign turns down and reads ” Williams Valley Winter Recreation Area “. Turn west and travel 3.4 miles to a wide spot on the highway with a Forest Service kiosk just below the highway shoulder (south side). This places it in the middle of the Williams Valley Winter Recreation Area. The area is closed to motorized tours. N3351.760 ‘and W10913.205’ – Elevation 8675 ‘.
Head south through the meadow, go up a slight incline and head towards the tree line. You will pick up a trail known as the Valley Loop. Head west on this easy-to-follow trail as it winds through the woods, turns south, passes a gate, and opens onto Lookout Meadow. N3351.615 ‘and W10913.775’ – Elevation 8800 ‘. The Lookout Meadow Loop is a great short hike in itself, maybe 1 1/2 hours and back to your vehicle. However, if you have a few extra hours, turn right (SW) and move uphill for about half a mile. You will come to a fork in the road with a sign designating the right fork as Up & Over. There is no cheating here, the trail literally goes up over and over again and is only about 1/3 of a mile long. Once you are “done” you will be on the Isolation Meadow Trail. N3351.430 ‘and W10914.155’ – Elevation 8770 ‘. Take this trail to the southeast a long way uphill, you will pass a small tank of water that is much deeper than it looks! Continue uphill and you will come to a firewood pile on the trail with a gate just beyond. Travel through the gate approximately 200 yards and heading northeast you will see a “blue diamond” as a trail designation attached to a large aspen tree. N3351.050 ‘and W 10914.055’ – Elevation 8980 ‘.
For the next 3/4 of a mile, you will head east and climb slowly; the trail is established but look for the blue diamonds in the trees to stay on track. Finally, you will come to a two-lane road. N3350.975 ‘and W10913.635’ – Elevation 9020 ‘. Follow this two-track road uphill to the northeast, the blue diamonds will still guide you. Once “capped” the trail will begin to wind through the forest with a strange undulation and the occasional meadow. You will pass a trail called Ya Hoo, this trail will take you back to Lookout Meadow if you are running short on time. The next two kilometers are the best part of the day though, as you are now on the Half Moon Lake Trail! Within 1/4 mile on your left (east) will be Half Moon Lake. N3350.765 ‘and W10912.840’ – Elevation 9200 ‘. For most of the year, the lake is dry and practically a “mud hole,” but after the spring snow melts and during the monsoon season, the lake fills with water. This is a great camping destination and a favorite spot for huge bull moose.
After leaving Half Moon Lake the trail is fairly easy to follow with blue diamonds in the trees every few hundred feet. You will stay at the top of the mountain (part of South Mountain) for one mile and then the trail will descend to the west. You will come to an open area and, for lack of a better term, an “intersection”. There will be a blue diamond in a ponderosa pine with an arrow pointing west. N3350.560 ‘and W 10911.935’ – Elevation 9350 ‘. This is now a two track road again, follow it for 3/4 mile and it will make a gradual descent. On your left (SW), you will notice that a meadow forms through the trees, it is better to cut through the trees and enter the meadow. However, if you stay on the double track, it will drop you halfway into the meadow. This is the beginning of three “Hanging Grasslands” that drain the north slope of the entire area. This is one of the most beautiful and remote places in the Alpine … it is also the locals’ favorite area for skiing as there are numerous Telemark ski hills and great sunny picnic areas.
Keep traveling west and follow the edge of the meadows (on both sides) downhill. You will reach another tank of water, which is also deeper than it appears. N3350.805 ‘and W10912.535’ – Elevation 9200 ‘. To the south and uphill from this tank is another large meadow that is fun to explore on skis or hiking, it is also full of great camping locations. As you look downhill and to the west, you will see the last of the three Hanging Meadows. Continue downhill and up and across a Forest Service berm. This trail is quite rocky with loose scree; It is a great place for mountain bikers who prefer “rock gardens”. Within half a mile you’ll pass the lower Ya Hoo trailhead, another half mile, and drop off the eastern edge of Lookout Meadow. N3351.275 ‘and W10913.425’ – Elevation 8880 ‘. You will pass another gate and continue on the two lane road at the north end of Lookout Meadow another half mile and you will recognize your original entry point at Lookout Meadow a few hours earlier.
The described route is over 10 miles and will take 3-4 hours to hike or 2 hours to bike or ski. Keep an eye on the weather, especially during our monsoon season from July to September, it rains almost every afternoon with frequent lightning.
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