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Smiley Rock

1 Review
Location Jerome, AZ
Rating Difficult,
Length 23mi
Time 4hrs

Vehicle Types

Overview

Long, easy backcountry loop with one short difficult section.

Allow plenty of time to see historic Jerome and the Gold King Mine. Enjoy scenic views of Verde Valley along C.R. 72 as you climb on primitive road. The road is mostly flat and follows along the northern border of the wilderness. The rest of the trail is part of the Great Western Trail. Pass under major power lines and trail becomes difficult to navigate with no trail signage through Martin Canyon. Non-street-legal vehicles may wish to run this trail in the reverse direction.

Rating

Difficult
Trail Ratings Defined

This rating applies to the narrow rocky section through Martin Canyon. Modified, high clearance 4WD recommended. Most of the trail is easy with some tight brush and steep hills.

Stats

Length

23mi

Time

4hrs

High Point

7,233ft

Best Time To Go

Summer/Fall

Current Conditions

(928) 777-2200Prescott N.F., Chino Valley R.D.

Check the Weather

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Provide an Update

Free GPS download

Trail Updates

07/10/2025

Anonymous

Another trail, which is getting harder and harder as time goes by.
All the hard parts are between waypoints 4 and 6, the Martin canyon. This part is quite technical.
Trail there follows creek with huge boulders. It crosses it maybe 20x and for a while goes in it. Huge rocks and narrow spots are everywhere, one needs to carefully avoid them or crawl over them. The rocks are a lot bigger than the picture in book suggests. Some steep portions around the crossings. Since it is quite narrow, it is not suitable for large vehicles!
Well deserves the difficult rating!
I would really avoid it, if it rains or snows. It could be even deadly in a case of flash flood as there is nowhere to run in places.
There is even a locked gate in the entrance to Martin canyon, they close it (hopefully) if weather does not collaborate.

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Tom says

Another trail, which is getting harder and harder as time goes by. All the hard parts are between waypoints 4 and 6, the Martin canyon. This part is quite technical. Trail there follows creek with huge boulders. It crosses it maybe 20x and for a while goes in it. Huge rocks and narrow spots are everywhere, one needs to carefully avoid them or crawl over them. The rocks are a lot bigger than the picture in book suggests. Some steep portions around the crossings. Since it is quite narrow, it is not suitable for large vehicles! Well deserves the difficult rating! I would really avoid it, if it rains or snows. It could be even deadly in a case of flash flood as there is nowhere to run in places. There is even a locked gate in the entrance to Martin canyon, they close it (hopefully) if weather does not collaborate.
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