The Indian Springs Trail is a well maintained trail approximately 16 miles west of Alpine, AZ and 12 miles southeast of Greer, AZ.
From the intersection of US191/US 180 in Alpine travel north on US 191 approximately 2 miles to the Big Lake Road turnoff (Forest Road 249).
Travel west on Forest Road 249 for approximately 16 miles (past Sierra Blanca Ranch, Three Forks Rec Area and before Big Lake) to Forest Road 249E.
Turn left and continue west on 249E for approximately 1/2 mile to the trail head and car park area.
The Indian Springs Trail is a 7.
5 mile loop trail with approximately 400' of vertical gain/loss.
There is enough parking at the trail head for half a dozen vehicles - no restroom facilities or running water at the trail head.
Overnight camping is also not allowed.
The trail is specifically for hiking and mountain biking - no horseback riding or ATV's.
This has kept the trail in excellent condition with few ruts and only minor erosion.
I have hiked and mountain biked the Indian Springs Trail.
As a hiking trail it is easy - moderate in difficulty.
As a mountain biking trail, it is a good trail for beginners - perhaps best to go with an experienced rider if this is your first venture onto a mountain trail.
Either hiking or biking the trail should be utilized in a clockwise rotation.
This will allow you to take advantage of the steeper downhill for the first half of the trail and the moderate climb up the old Apache Railway Company's Maverick railroad grade on the latter half.
Hiking time is generally 2-3 hours, biking time is anywhere from one to two hours - an experienced biker can "loop" the trail in under an hour.
As you leave the trail head the trail swings to a southeasterly direction and has plenty of short burst uphill chutes, the first spur off the main trail will take you over to the Big Lake Lookout, and about one mile in will be the Spillman Spring.
The Spillman Spring is unique in that the spring drains into three hollowed out logs.
This is perhaps the best water for re-hydration on the trail.
I strongly recommend filtering the water before drinking.
After another series of short uphill chutes the trail will swing in a southerly direction and head downhill for approximately 400' of vertical loss over the next mile or so.
On the lower portion of the trail you will be cruising across old railroad spurs and next to spacious meadows.
After approximately 4 miles into the trail you will pick up the old Maverick railroad grade.
This is a wide 4% or so grade uphill for the next couple of miles.
A very interesting side spur is the West Fork Trail #628 approximately 3/4 way up the Maverick Line.
This is a nice MTB or hiking trail which eventually takes you to the Upper West Fork of the Black River - an excellent picnic destination! However, if you are biking this portion I would recommend only going to the "Rim" as the trail degrades rapidly once you begin the downhill ascent toward the river.
You will end up walking your bike over boulder fields and tight rocky switchbacks.
Back on the Indian Springs Trail after the West Fork spur, you will only ascend another mile or so before the trail levels out again.
Once on top you will cross the 249E road and head up into the woods for the final leg of the trail.
At this point, you may choose to head east on the 249E road and head the 3/4 mile back to the trail head.
Typically, I like to bike the trail twice in succession for a nice solid workout.
I've found hiking the trail is a little boring going up the Maverick grade, but the footing is even and the grade is minimal.
This is a great trail for acclimatization since it begins at 9075' and then descends to 8675' and then back up again over 9000'.
Author's Note: The Indian Springs Trail was devastated by the 538,000 acre Wallow Fire (summer 2011).
The area will likely be closed for years.