Tortilla Pass and Rogers Canyon Cliff Dwellings Loop in Tonto National Forest, AZ

Hike Tortilla Pass and Rogers Canyon Cliff Dwellings Loop Tonto National Forest, AZ

Class 1 13.2 miles 2700 gain 5-7 hrs Loop Feb 11, 2019
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Tortilla Pass and Rogers Canyon Cliff Dwellings Loop GPX Track

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There are three places you can start this loop: the Woodbury Trailhead, which adds about a mile to the loop, the Roberts Trough trailhead, which mgiht have been too rough for my car, and the spot where I parked along the road about halfway between Woodbury and Robert Trough. From here, head down on a heavily-eroded dirt road down to Woodbury Cabin (is the cabin gone?) and then take the trail up to Tortilla Pass. The trail was a little bit overgrown form Tortilla Pass down to Angel Basin, but definitely easy to follow and not too scratchy. Angel Basin was the highlight for me. The grassy field and colorful pinnacles surrounding the spot was a unique desert scene, and the stream running through made it a really tranquil spot. Heading along the Rogers Canyon Trail, you'll pass some really cool Cliff Dwellings that require you do a short scramble to get to the more interesting stuff higher up. Follow Rogers Canyon up to the Rogers Trough Trailhead and then head down the road back to the parking spot.

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Starting from my chosen parking area. Tortilla Pass is visible on the far right. This dirt road ahead leads to lower ground.
Starting from my chosen parking area. Tortilla Pass is visible on the far right. This dirt road ahead leads to lower ground.
At the marked section called Woodbury Cabin (is the cabin gone?), Tortilla Pass top right.
At the marked section called Woodbury Cabin (is the cabin gone?), Tortilla Pass top right.
Continuing along the trail leading to Tortilla Pass.
Continuing along the trail leading to Tortilla Pass.
Looking back along the trail to Tortilla Pass. My car is up on the hills to the left somewhere.
Looking back along the trail to Tortilla Pass. My car is up on the hills to the left somewhere.
Cross a wash and pick up the trail on the other side.
Cross a wash and pick up the trail on the other side.
Trail gets progressively more steep as you near Tortilla Pass.
Trail gets progressively more steep as you near Tortilla Pass.
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Almost at Tortilla Pass, looking back the way I came. Woodbury Cabin site is on the top left somewhere.
Almost at Tortilla Pass, looking back the way I came. Woodbury Cabin site is on the top left somewhere.
Tortilla Pass junction. Continue along the Rogers Canyon Trail leading slightly higher to what I assume is the true Tortilla Pass.
Tortilla Pass junction. Continue along the Rogers Canyon Trail leading slightly higher to what I assume is the true Tortilla Pass.
Tortilla Pass, looking back the way I came.
Tortilla Pass, looking back the way I came.
Tortilla Pass, looking northeast toward Angel Basin.
Tortilla Pass, looking northeast toward Angel Basin.
On the way down to Angel Basin, looking back toward Tortilla Pass.
On the way down to Angel Basin, looking back toward Tortilla Pass.
Angel Basin and the interesting cliffs of Rogers Canyon on the right.
Angel Basin and the interesting cliffs of Rogers Canyon on the right.
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Looking back up toward Tortilla Pass.
Looking back up toward Tortilla Pass.
The trail gets a little brush as it gets down toward a creek, but nothing too bad.
The trail gets a little brush as it gets down toward a creek, but nothing too bad.
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An unexpected natural arch.
An unexpected natural arch.
Approaching Angel Basin.
Approaching Angel Basin.
Cross a creek to get to Angel Basin.
Cross a creek to get to Angel Basin.
Looking back toward an interesting rock formation at a trail junction.
Looking back toward an interesting rock formation at a trail junction.
Grassy meadow of Angel Basin. This was a really nice spot. The trail leads to the center of this photo. The official map I had labeled this spot as being where the cliff dwellings are, but it was pretty wrong.
Grassy meadow of Angel Basin. This was a really nice spot. The trail leads to the center of this photo. The official map I had labeled this spot as being where the cliff dwellings are, but it was pretty wrong.
Close-up of some cool pinnacles to the south.
Close-up of some cool pinnacles to the south.
Heading out of Angel Basin and up Rogers Canyon.
Heading out of Angel Basin and up Rogers Canyon.
The water was flowing in Rogers Canyon, and it was really nice.
The water was flowing in Rogers Canyon, and it was really nice.
Approaching the Cliff Dwellings.
Approaching the Cliff Dwellings.
Sign for the Rogers Canyon Cliff Dwellings. Scramble up the ledge to get to the higher ones.
Sign for the Rogers Canyon Cliff Dwellings. Scramble up the ledge to get to the higher ones.
Dwellings on the lower level.
Dwellings on the lower level.
Really cool stuff on the higher level.
Really cool stuff on the higher level.
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A lot of the dwellings are still intact.
A lot of the dwellings are still intact.
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Continuing up Rogers Canyon.
Continuing up Rogers Canyon.
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Rogers Canyon follows the creek for much of the time before ascending to higher ground.
Rogers Canyon follows the creek for much of the time before ascending to higher ground.
Image 38 from gallery
Looking south, still a ways to go.
Looking south, still a ways to go.
The trail follows the creek, but from higher ground.
The trail follows the creek, but from higher ground.
Looking back down Rogers Canyon.
Looking back down Rogers Canyon.
Rogers Trough Trailhead ahead.
Rogers Trough Trailhead ahead.
Looking back at the Rogers Trough Trailhead. I would have to walk along the road back to my car for a couple miles.
Looking back at the Rogers Trough Trailhead. I would have to walk along the road back to my car for a couple miles.
Expansive views along the road.
Expansive views along the road.
Close-up of Tortilla Pass (far right). You can see a small dirt road on the left, that's where my car is parked.
Close-up of Tortilla Pass (far right). You can see a small dirt road on the left, that's where my car is parked.

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!