Horton Creek Trail
Facts
- Location: 83 miles NE from Fountain Hills
- Roundtrip Length: 7 miles
- Trailhead Elevation: 5500 feet
- Elevation Gain: 1200 feet
- Difficulty Rating: 3/5
- Best Season(s): Spring, Summer, Fall
- Views: Only a few glimpes of the Rim.
- Exposure: Shade readily available.
- Water: Horton Creek flows year-round.
- Dogs: Great hike for dogs! Always bring a leash.
Lush, tranquil Horton Creek in summer.
Overview
This 3.5 mile (one way) trail follows a spring-fed creek below the Mogollon Rim east of Payson. It is a very popular hike in the warmer months as it has all the elements you might want for an Arizona summer hike except the views. The great thing about this hike is you don’t have to hike the whole trail to get to a ‘destination.’ The trail parallels Horton Creek and runs right next to it for maybe a quarter of the hike, so there are plenty of places to walk off the trail and plop down on a large boulder or slab of rock and let the tranquil environment envelop you. 1200 feet of elevation gain seems like a lot but a little more than half is gradually gained over 2.5 miles or so and is not very painful. The last mile is steeper but you are rewarded with arrival at Horton Springs so it is well worth it! The spring gushes out of the mountain and after tumbling down some boulders settles into a nice wide calm pool for a few hundred feet before tumbling down another steep section of the mountain. During Monsoon season thunderstorms form early and rapidly at the rim so be aware of the weather!
Getting There
The trailhead is 83 miles away from Fountain Hills. This may sound like a lot, but once you do this hike on a July day when Fountain Hills is dry and 105, we think you will agree it is worth it!
The trail climbs to Horton Spring.
Take the Beeline Highway (87) north from Fountain Hills to Payson. This portion consumes about an hour and will take you through some beautiful Sonoran desert and mountainous high desert scenery. Payson sits at about 5000 feet and is peppered with Ponderosa pines so it will be almost 15 degrees cooler than Fountain Hills. Drive into Payson and turn right (east) onto route 260. Drive 16.5 miles on 260 and turn left onto paved Tonto Creek Rd, which is also Forest Road 289. To get to the trailhead you need to drive up this road about 1 mile where you will encounter a one lane bridge. Immediately after the bridge on the left will be a parking lot for the trailhead. If no parking is available in that lot, there are parking lots on the west side of Tonto Creek Rd before the bridge.
To get to the trailhead walk to the right out of the parking lot and cross the bridge. Turn left onto the road immediately after the bridge. This is the road to a campground. Walk up this road and look for the large wooden trailhead map. The trail starts to the left of the sign.
Hike Details
The trail drops down to Horton Creek right away and crosses it. In the drier part of the year this section will be bone dry – don’t worry though because you only need to go about a quarter mile to see the first water. If it is a wet time of year you may have to cross the creek on stepping stones at this point.
Once you have crossed the creek the trail climbs up the other side and separates from the creek for a bit. You will hike for a short bit and go through a gate. There is a point where the trail branches. The trails meet a half mile or so ahead but the right branch is recommended as it drops into a meadow and travels right next to a lovely section of Horton Creek. There are plenty of places to sit and relax in this shady, grassy area. The creek is rarely deeper than a few feet and it is a great place to let your dog take a swim. Please be aware that this trail is popular with horse riders as well as dog owners so keep your dog under control at all times.
Monsoon thunderstorm forms over the rim.
After the shady meadow section the trail climbs out and rejoins the left branch of the trail and does some gentle climbing. As you traverse this section the trail will leave the creek and occasionally come back to it. The trail here is an easily walked sandy/rocky mix and you will see Manzanitas, Ponderosa pines, various deciduous trees and if it has been rainy recently (a sure bet in monsoon season) wildflowers ranging from penstemons to delicate yellow columbines near the water.
About 2.5 miles into the hike you will come to the creek for the last time until the trail meets up with the Highline Trail in another mile. Here the trail departs to the left and starts a steeper climb on a rocky trail that is more or less relentless until you top out. On the final haul you will see a large wooded canyon to your right and be able to hear the creek rushing down a steep section, especially if there is a lot of water present.
You will finally reach the Highline trail where a wooden trailmarker is posted. Turn right and in another 500 feet you will reach Horton Creek again. You will see a fence with a gate to your left, go through that and walk along the creek a few hundred feet to the spring. This area is a perfect place to relax under a towering Ponderosa Pine and enjoy a picnic lunch.
More Ideas
This hike can be part of a fun day trip from Fountain Hills by bringing a picnic lunch and enjoying it on the trail. If you time the drive back so that you are leaving Payson at sunset the vistas are breathtaking! There are a number of great places to eat in Payson.
Who needs more than a stick and a stream to have fun?
If you are a hardcore hiker, try the Derrick Trail / Horton Creek Trail Loop. At the Horton Trail trailhead sign go right instead of left as you would to start Horton Creek Trail. The road bends left and at the end of the road turns into the Derrick Trail. Take this roughly 3 miles to the Highline trail and turn left (west.) Take the Highline trail about 2.5 miles or so to the Horton Creek Trail and return via the Horton Trail. No water is available on the Derrick Trail and it can get hot in the summer so be prepared!
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