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Near Young
Issuing from the base of the Mogollon Rim, Canyon Creek
is a top Arizona fishing and
hiking destination. Back in 2002,
the Rodeo-Chedeski fire torched parts of the forests surrounding this beautiful
perennial stream while leaving other sections intact. Since the fire swept
through, the forest service, game & fish and other agencies have been
working to restore and stabilize
the waterway. Vegetation
has been replanted and fencing keeps resident wildlife from browsing sensitive
saplings. In between the
blackened trunks and barren
knolls, pockets of lush pines, alders, locusts and willows frame sprawling
green pastures that burst with color in summer wildflower season (May
-September). The hike is a combination of stream side bushwhacking, meadow
strolls and--where the brambles are too thick to stay near the water---adjacent
FR 188 serves as a detour.
Beginning at Airplane Flat campground (which was untouched by the fire)
the hike portal is a wooden gate near campsite #10. Narrow paths blazed by anglers head toward the water
and sometimes are obscured by brush and dead tree fall. Also, be prepared to
crawl under barbed wire and pass various gate contraptions put in place to
protect newborn riparian vegetation. (Please do not cut or otherwise alter
these fences). At roughly 1.25 miles, OW Bridge leads to a private ranch. Here, informative signs with maps,
fishing rules and insight into the creek restoration project mark a popular
stop for anglers trying for
coveted brown trout. Continue
hiking south along the stream---there's no definitive way to go, just head in
the direction of the the water, crossing back and forth at low flow points or
on primitive log “bridges”---expect wet feet if you really want to get the most
out of this trek. Numerous signs along the road herald additional access points
and you'll probably run into people fishing along the banks on your way to the
5-mile point where the trail ends at the Fort Apache Indian Reservation.
LENGTH: 5 miles one way
RATING: easy (some route-finding)
ELEVATION: 6,200' – 6,600'
KID FRIENDLY?: yes
DOGS: leashed dogs allowed
DISTANCE FROM PHOENIX:
140 miles one way
FACILITIES: outhouses, non-reservable camp sites, site host
in season, picnic tables
FEE: none. Some
hike reports state that a Tonto Pass is required. It is not.
GETTING THERE:
From Phoenix, travel north on AZ87 (Beeline Highway) to the
AZ260 junction in Payson. Turn
east (right) and continue 32 miles on AZ260 to Young Road (FR 512) between
mileposts 284-285. Turn south
(right) and go 3 miles to FR 33 (Canyon Creek Recreation Area) located just past milepost 330. Turn left and go 5 miles on FR 33 to Airplane Flat campground. The last 5 miles are on a winding,
precipitous, but good dirt road
suitable for sedans in dry weather.
Do not park in designated campsites---use the dirt turnouts.
INFO: Pleasant Valley Ranger District, Tonto National
Forest, 928-462-4300
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