The Largo Trail (# 51) serves as a primary access route into the eastern reaches of the Blue Primitive Area. In addition to serving as a route into scenic Largo Canyon, it offers access to a number of other trails which form a connected network in the extremely remote part of the primitive area east of the river.
Like all Wilderness and Primitive Area trails, the Largo Trail is open to hiking and horseback riding but all types of motorized and mechanized transport are prohibited.
Largo Trail (# 51) starts 0.5 miles from the trailhead in Lanphier Canyon. At a point where Lanphier Trail (# 52) continues along the canyon floor, Largo Trail climbs out of the canyon toward the south, through stands of pinyon, juniper, and scrub oak, to a ridge that separates Largo and Lanphier Canyons. Along the ridge you'll find good views of the north and eastern reaches of the Blue. From this exposed saddle, where semi-arid country plants such as mountain mahogany and ceanothus find the climate to their liking, the trail drops into Largo Canyon for the rest of its journey to the canyon rim. This major side canyon of the Blue is dry most of the year but still supports a healthy riparian community made up mostly of mature ponderosa and assorted hardwoods including bigtooth maple and Arizona alder.
Just after Largo Trail passes Dutch Oven Spring and Maple Springs, Telephone Ridge Trail (# 203) branches off toward Sawmill Canyon and onto the ridge for which it is named. This trail provides a steep and short route to Bear Mountain Lookout. Largo Trail continues up canyon, crisscrossing the streambed until it begins a steep ascent up the canyon's south slope. At the top of a series of switchbacks, in a stand of old growth ponderosa, the trail splits. Largo Trail follows the west (right) fork and climbs gradually about three-quarters of a mile to a junction with WS Lake Trail (# 54) at the foot of the switchbacks leading to Bear Mountain Lookout. The east (left) fork marks the beginning of Little Blue Trail (# 41) which proceeds up the drainage about the same distance to another junction with the WS Lake Trail and continues on into Bear Valley.
Trail Log:
0.0 Trail branches off Lanphier Trail (# 52), about 0.5 miles up Lanphier Trail from Blue River
1.0 Trail crosses Largo Creek.
2.0 Dutch Oven Spring; rock masonry to left of trail near creek. Trail is boggy at this point.
2.3 Maple Spring. Water in creek here.
2.4 Junction with Telephone Ridge Shortcut (# 42).
4.3 Fork in trail. Largo veers right and begins ascent to Bear Mountain.
4.9 Trail ends at junction with WS Lake Trail (# 54). Bear Mountain is 1.2 miles up the WS Lake Trail.
USGS Maps: Bear Mountain, Blue
At a Glance
Usage:
Medium
Best Season:
April through November
Restrictions:
No mechanized vehicles (including mountain bikes) permitted in Primitive Area.
Water:
Flowing water can be found at Blue River and Dutch Oven Spring.
Drive 3 miles east of Alpine on US 180 to Forest Road 281 (Blue River Road). Turn south and follow this scenic back road 23 miles to the Blue Camp Administration Site and Trailhead.
From the trailhead, head to the right through two gates to the Blue River. About 100 yards downstream on the other side of the river is a corral that marks the mouth of Lanphier Canyon. The Largo Trail begins about 0.5 mile up the Lanphier Trail #52.
Backcountry Access: Largo Trail is accessible via Lanphier Trail #52, Telephone Ridge Trail #42 and WS Lake Trail #54.
