Beatin' the Phoenix Heat: Horton Creek Trail (Payson)
Photo courtesy of David Creech/WildernessDave.com
Where is it: Just south of the Mogollon Rim NW of Payson near Kohl's Ranch, AZ.
How do you get there: From Phoenix take SR 87 out of Scottsdale. When you get to Payson, turn right onto SR 260. Go 16.2 miles to NF 289. ANY vehicle OK.
TH Coordinates: 34.33997, -111.09629
What kind of hike is it: Mostly an out and back although there are connecting trails out here so there are opportunities to make this a more difficult hike. You can access the Rim via this trail and a connecting trail.
How long is it: 7.75 miles RT.
Accumulated Elevation Gain: ~1395 ft.
What trails are involved: Horton Creek Trail #285
How long will it take: Harder to say on this trail because it follows alongside Horton Creek the entire way! You'll be tempted to play in the creek and take pictures! We did the entire 7.75 miles in about 3.5 hours.
Is it scary: Not in the least. This is easy trail for all of the last .5 miles or so to the Horton Spring waterfall. I'd rate that section as moderate.
What animals might you see: Coyote, mountain lion, mule deer, elk, Arizona black rattlesnake, Western Diamondback Rattlesnake, whitetail deer, human hunters, numerous birds
Do I need water: Always take water however Horton Creek is a perennial creek and spring. Which in Arizona is awesome!!!
Who will like this hike: Families with small children, lovers of water and flowing creeks. And WATERFALL LOVERS!
For more info: http://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=62
@hikingjason rating: 4.5 hiking boots out of 5
WATERFALL!
I met up with David Creech of WildernessDave.com this past Sunday to make my second adventure of Arizona's Rim Country. Payson, the summer home of legendary Western writer Zane Gray, is a surprisingly urban city. You pass through Payson on the way to the Horton Creek #285 Trail.
Just the drive to this hike is a beautiful, classic Arizona drive. You'll pass through the Mazatzal Mountains as well as a very beautiful portion of the Tonto National Forest. As a side trip you could visit Roosevelt Lake on the way here. It's beautiful!
This hike is PERFECT for families with young kids. Even if they can't make it all the way to Horton Spring and the waterfall, you can get to playable areas in the creek within a half a mile or so.
The hike is never really steep except for maybe the last .5 miles to the spring. About the spring. The water just gushes out of the side of a rocky outcropping. The water is so clear its almost invisible. And cold! The end of the hike is about a 50 feet or so cascading waterfall. You don't need to cross the creek from the trail to get to the waterfall, just stay left when you see the log bridge and you'll go right up to the top of the falls.
In general, this area is just gorgeous. This is technically below the Rim and you can only see the Rim itself a couple times. This hike is a good example of a very easily accessible micro-adventure. Look for an upcoming post about micro-adventures themselves.
Send me some pictures of your trip to Horton Creek!
