This trail was originally used by the military as a connection between Ft. McDowell and Ft. Lincoln in Camp Verde. It was used as a route for moving men and materials between these two Army forts and to the Bloody Basin area. The trail stays mainly in pinyon-juniper and chaparral vegetation at about he mid-slope level on the west side of the Verde River. At Cold Water Spring, there is a stand of Arizona cypress. The trail offers views of the rugged country flanking the Verde River to the west.

From the wilderness boundary, the trail climbs steadily to its junction with TR #163 at an elevation of about 3800 feet at Bear Grass Tank. From there, the trail climbs steadily to a mid-slope elevation of about 4500 feet and then contours along the slope overlooking the Verde River and below Cedar Bench. At about mile four, the trail crosses the Cold Water Creek drainage, dropping to about 4200 feet. At about five and a half miles in, the trail begins to climb steeply to Tule Mesa, ending on FR 68G at an elevation of about 6200 feet.

Directions: From Verde, From Verde, take FR 163 south until you reach FR 574. Follow 574 past the Chasm Creek Trailhead until you reach the end of the road. Here you will find the trailhead for Cold Water.

Elevation: 3,000 feet

Ending Elevation: 6,200 feet

Elevation Gain: 3,200 feet

Distance: 5.7 miles

Usage: Light

Difficulty: Strenuous

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