Trip report
May 2, 2021 — Reaching Aztec Peak requires a long drive into the middle of nowhere of Tonto National Forest on the very scenic Globe-Young Highway. The turn-off to reach the summit is located here (33.84677, -110.9686), and most vehicles can make it here (33.82, -110.93217), where the road becomes rocky for a short stretch. Any decent vehicle can drive to the summit of Aztec Peak, but I had no interest in doing so. I was happy to find a trail that would lead through some of the pretty scenery and make it up to the top, the Abbey's Way Trail. Unfortunately this trail has been destroyed by a fire, but I actually found it quite pleasant since it seems like someone maintains it somewhat regularly. I had almost no bushwhacking or scratches, and the views were nice enough to justify the minor route-finding required to complete the trail. In fact, it was good enough that I decided to head back the same way rather than just walk down the road.
The trailhead has the standard burn area warnings, so I put on some snake gaiters and braced myself for a rough ride that never came. The trail headed north through the forest and emerged into a grassy meadow. It will be very tempting to head to the right into this meadow, but the trail keeps within the trees on the left outskirts of the meadow, wrapping around it to the meadow's north side. Cairns helped me ensure I was on the trail for the most part. Past the meadow, the trail then headed into a very heavily destroyed area, but where numerous downed trees and thorny plants would have made it unpleasant, the trail carved a nice tunnel through the brush. Gaining elevation, Abbey's Way switchbacked a couple of times, the views to the west quite nice. The trail ended just below the very wide Aztec Peak summit, which had less-good views than the approach up. Like I said, you can return via the road if you prefer.