Rak Trail #267A

Access

The Rak Trail can be accessed from two locations.

The southeastern terminus is at the end of the Rak Road (FR 4243) out of Rucker Canyon. From either Rucker or Tex Canyon Roads (FR 74), turn onto the dead-end leg of Rucker Canyon Road (FR 74E) (31.75669, -109.37043) that heads towards Rucker Lake and travel 1.52 miles to FR 4243. (31.76443, -109.35307) This road is only identified at the junction by a sign which says "Forest Trail" (there is more than one road with this sort of sign along FR 74E), but there is another road further along. FR 4243 is a rough road and requires a high clearance vehicle. After 0.8 mile the condition drops and the steepness increases. A sign indicates here that only 4WD vehicles should continue beyond, and there is a decent spot to park if you wish to go on foot the remaining 0.4 mile. The trailhead is marked with a sign. (31.77973, -109.35435)

The northwestern terminus is along the John Long Canyon Road (FR 360). (31.78543, -109.36681) This road is inaccessible by vehicle, but can be accessed on foot from the Sycamore Cub Trail, Cottonwood–Fire Canyon Trail or John Long Trail. This junction is also signed.

History

The Rak Trail is named for a family which operated a ranch in Rucker Canyon at the former site of Camp Rucker.

Trail Description

Rak Road (FR 4243) to Saddle

• 0.69 mi
• 470 ft ↑ / 20 ft ↓
• 12.3% slope

From the trailhead at the end of the Rak Road, (31.77931, -109.35435) the trail heads north for 220 feet, dropping gradually downhill. It makes a sharp switchback to the southeast (31.78031, -109.35430) and travels another 45 feet, crossing a creekbed where a sign points the way the trail heads, before climbing to the east and swinging around shortly after to the north to begin climbing the ridge. After 300 feet (31.78108, -109.35407) there is a short jog to the west before nearly a quarter mile of increased climbing to the northwest begins. Through here, the trail is quite rocky and eroded in places. After that quarter mile, (31.78383, -109.35663) head west for 350 feet, followed by a short steep climb of a couple hundred feet and 0.21 mile of contouring west-southwest towards a saddle between two hills. The trail here can be very faint and difficult to find, but as long as you head towards the saddle you'll stay mostly on track and may pick up the actual path now and then. A fence runs across the saddle and the trail passes through a difficult to open gate right in the center of the saddle. (31.78321, -109.36138)

Saddle to John Long Canyon Road (FR 360)

• 0.39 mi
• 270 ft ↓
• 13.3% slope

From the gate, the trail—initially faint—heads west down the slope for about 100 feet before curving to the northeast, where it begins to get quite distinct and in far better condition than the other half of the trail. After 380 feet, there is a junction (31.78397, -109.36244), with the actual trail heading left and a promising looking cow path which peters out several hundred feet later taking the right fork. Approximately 500 feet beyond, the Rak Trail heads west, widens and drops the remaining 0.2 mile to the John Long Canyon Road (FR 360). (31.78543, -109.36681) All connecting trails are up-canyon to the north, starting with the Sycamore Cub Trail in 0.8 miles.

Map

Last updated November 13, 2018.