WE HIKED THE WORLD'S LARGEST NATURAL BRIDGE

Drew Morgan
Jun 30, 2016
4 min read

This post is long overdue. I apologize, but in my defense, I've been crazy busy. New York and seeing my friends from France last summer is amazing, expect a post soon. But for now, I want to focus on my "at-home" adventures rather than my travels. Last week, three of my friends and I piled into my Jeep and made the "long" trek to Payson, Arizona. Now, what exactly is in Payson that warrants anything more than a stop at a restaurant on your way to the other cities further north? Usually nothing, with the exception of the amazing hikes just a few miles north of the town. This day, we decided to focus on one, Tonto Natural Bridge.

Tonto Natural, or just Bridge as my friends and I abbreviate it, is believed to be the biggest natural forming travertine bridge in the WORLD. Yeah, you heard that right, the world. How cool is that, that it is only an hour and 45 minutes from my city? Very, if you ask me. There are three main trails, Pine Creek Trail, Waterfall Trail, and Gowan Trail. To be completely candid with you all, I didn't know all three existed when we showed up. I thought there was one trail that led to the bridge, and back. I am so happy I was wrong, but did learn the importance of research before a spontaneous road trip. So, instead, my friends and I hiked Waterfall and Pine Creek.

1. Waterfall Trail

500 ft - easy

When you drive through the gate and into the park, which, I should warn you, charges $7/person, not car, the parking lot is a little confusing. I took the first right and just parked there. It was quite close to the trailhead for the Waterfall Trail. The Waterfall Trail is only about 500 ft there and back, but entirely worth it. It consists of a few stairs, that totally tone your butt, especially if you did leg day the day before. The stairs lead to a cliffside covered in greenery. I never thought so much lush, green, plant life could exist in a place like Arizona. But I guess it makes sense, considering there is running water everywhere. Through the vines, and down the mountain, and into a thin cave. It was like my personal rain storm. Taylor and I, being the kind to take rules as suggestions, of course decide to explore the cave, and naturally, posed for some pictures. It was truly beautiful. For a moment, I was able to pretend that I was in Hawaii or Costa Rica. It was a great, quick way to start the morning of hiking.

2. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. Pine Creek Trail

1.1 miles - moderate

Okay, I mentioned before that Taylor and I have trouble with authority, right? Well, this next move proves that. The head of the Pine Creek Trail is about 1000 feet to the west of the Waterfall Trail, but we decided to start from the end of the trail, a measly 200 feet to the east of the Waterfall trailhead. We chose to do this to avoid the majority of crowds, and because I work better when I have incentive. In this case, the motivator was the actual bridge, which is typically how people start their hike. As we started down the stairs and into the valley, we were, at least I was, astounded by the amount of actual water there was. I've lived in Arizona my entire life, and I've only ever thought of it as a desert. There was running water and greenery and shade and living plants everywhere. It was amazing to see the place you've grown up in in a totally different light.

My favorite thing about this trail is how many side adventures you can take. After we first made our way into the canyon, we noticed a small body of water and some large rocks, perfect for taking a detour and climbing. There is, of course, a set path, but the path we made ourselves made the day all the more worth while. Eventually, after I made everyone stop for enough pictures, we made it to the bridge. I am telling you, pictures do not do it justice. The entire arch is huge, I have never seen something so big and magnificent before. It took my breath away. Under the bridge is definitely one of those places to explore. Please, please, please, do not simply walk through it. Go up, cross the lake, climb some rocks, find yourself in an impossible situation, somehow find your way out of it. Do as much as possible. My favorite memory from this trip was looking around the tunnel, then discovering that Taylor is no where to be found, that is until we hear a faint voice calling "up here". Taylor had climbed up the side of the tunnel and onto a rocking outcrop (see the 6th picture).. Now that was a difficult situation to get out of once we all made it up there.

It was a beautiful day to discover something so new about the place where you grew up. As I said, pictures do not capture the majesty of this place. It is something you need to do for yourselves.