3.7 Miles
586 feet
Easy/Medium
A Views
Forest Road 2076 Hike Overview
The Forest Road 2076 hike is located off of Bartlett Dam Road (FR 205). It is blocked off to off-road vehicles and is very infrequently traveled. This means you will have the place to yourself. As you start climbing out of the wash there will be big views of the McDowells! There are signs for FR 2076 but it is not very well marked. It’s in a wash but you could wander off. Hike this only if you are comfortable making your own trail with the low likelihood you will see another hiker.
Map & Elevation Profile
Max elevation: 3231 ft
Min elevation: 2645 ft
Total time: 01:21:26
Map for Forest Road 2076 in the Tonto National Forest
This map will give you an overview of Forest Road 2076 and the wash.
Nat Geo map #851
Superstition and Four Peaks Wildnerness Area Map. Great overview map of the area (affiliate link).
Parking
As you are driving towards Barlett Dam on Barlett Dam Road (FR 205), you will descend into a wash. That’s where you park. Look for FR 413 and other cars pulling ATV trailers parked. This is a popular area to drive off-road vehicles. The entrance is on the north side of the road and you will see big gates blocking off the wash (so folks can’t drive in it).
Forest Road 2076 Hike Trail Notes
We got a late start (i.e. slept in) and wanted to hike somewhere on the north side of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. We drove on the northern border but didn’t find anywhere to stop and park.
So this is how we ended up on Barlett Dam Road. By this time it was already 9:30 am, super hot, and we didn’t really have a plan on where to hike.
Forest Road 413 was marked on the map and knew this is a popular spot for ATVs. The BF said let’s just hike here.
I was not impressed and didn’t want to hike on a road that ATVs would be tearing through. Then we noticed that Forest Road 413 extends to the north and is blocked off to vehicles. And that’s the story of how we decided to hike on Forest Road 2076.
You start in a wash and it is pretty underwhelming. As you climb up the views get better and better. This hike really grew on me and I felt bad for thinking such negative thoughts about it.
There are spectacular views here! We picked out a ton of great camping spots so we can come back here with a tent.
If you are looking for solitude it doesn’t get much better than this 👍.
So, is hiking on Forest Road 2076 worth it?
Are you looking for solitude, great views, and maybe a place you haven’t hiked before? This may be it! Forge your own path and enjoy the views.
Photo Gallery to make you want to go there:
