backpack in payson area

[Mattrgrs12]

Hey guys ive been searching for a 1 or 2 night backpack trip around payson and cant seem to find anything that stands out for me. Anybody have any suggestions? I would like a good water source as well. I was looking at hellsgate north to tonto creek and the babe haught trail.

[nonot]

Either of those sound good, IMO anything on the rim is past its prime as the vegetation has died off for the onset of winter.

[chumley]

Hellsgate would be the first thought that comes to mind, but you might also consider one portion of the Highline trail as there are severals creeks for water along the way. You could also head west a bit and drop into West Clear Creek via Willow Valley, Tramway, or Maxwell (or a combination). Of course there's always Fossil Springs for a quick overnight, or the less-crowded lower Fossil Creek to the Verde River. (I believe the trail disappears along the way, and it becomes more of a water hike). Check the description and triplogs if you're interested.

[allanalxndr]

Some of my other favorites in the area are:
Horton Creek - http://www.hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=62
- Nice easy stroll and if you are looking for more mileage you can do the Derrick/Horton Loop. There are some nice open camping areas in a few different locations. Fun easy trip.
Derrick/Horton Loop - http://www.hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=879
Or there is also the See Canyon/Drew Loop - http://www.hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=117
We did some side exploring on this one and hit just over 12miles.
Hope that helps.

[Mattrgrs12]

cool thanks for the ideas guys i will look into those ones as well

[Mattrgrs12]

so from looking on this map of the trails on the rim the loop for the horton springs and derrick loop would be north on horton creek trail then back down south on the horton springs trail then the derrick trail to the derrick spur trail correct?

[chumley]

The hike takes the Horton creek trail to the springs and then the Highline Trail over to the Derrick trail.
There's a description here http://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=879
be sure to click on the GPS route if you want to see the exact trail.

Note, there is no reliable water on the Highline and Derrick portions of the trail. I would recommend camping somewhere along the Horton Springs trail, as there are numerous sites along the creek. Cross the creek and camp on the other side if you'd like to find a little bit more seclusion from the dayhikers.

[allanalxndr]

so from looking on this map of the trails on the rim the loop for the horton springs and derrick loop would be north on horton creek trail then back down south on the horton springs trail then the derrick trail to the derrick spur trail correct?

I personally did this one the other direction. There is not any water along the Derrick Trail until you reach Horton Spring. For this reason I did the Derrick Trail first with the water i carried, then resupplied @ Horton.

edit to add: Chumley is right. there is a nice little camp spot on the East Side of Horton Creek with rock benches, chairs and tables. I will see if I can find the GPS coordinates to it but I don't know if I saved them. The East side of the creek will definitely give you peace and quiet.

[Mattrgrs12]

yea if u could get me those coordinates that would be great

[allanalxndr]

I am still looking for the correct file. So far I have not come across my GPS log from that trip. It is about midway on the Horton Creek Trail on the East Side of the Creek. It is about 1.5 miles from the parking lot of the Trail. I will see if I can figure out what I did with the GPS logs.

[Pathfinder Aaron]

Last Spring some friends and I did a three day two night trip up near Chevelon Canyon Lake. We parked about five miles south of the lake on the west side of the canyon and hiked down to the canyon bottom which took a little less than an hour, and then hiked north along the stream, some really beautiful areas. We saw lots of deer, a rattlesnake, brown trout in the water, and lots of hawks. We hiked up to the south end of the lake where there is a really nice grassy area with a fire ring, set up base camp and stayed there. The second day we followed a light trail along the east bank of the lake up about half a mile to another trail that leads up the east canyon side, which is very steep and rough to get up. That takes about an hour to get up. From there you can head north to several points that look out over the lake for some great views and you can see Chevelon Butte way off inthe distance. At the top of the trail there is a good campsite, and others north of that position along the eastern canyon edge. Several places for good camping with great views of the lake far below you. I had a great time. I will definitely be going back for a similar trip.

[Mattrgrs12]

so that wasnt a designated trail? you just kind of made your own little trail?

[azbackpackr]

Chevelon Canyon is 40 miles long. Most of it has no designated trail, but several sections of it are fairly hikeable. Some sections are pretty thick, slow going, though. I have done Chevelon Crossing almost to the lake. It is mostly bushwhacking but not too hard. My son did a section above the lake (possibly the one described) he said was really cool, but was all really thick bushwhacking (no trail). I have been curious about the sections below the Crossing as no one ever talks about that stretch.

[chumley]

Sounds like the original descent was on the Telephone Ridge Trail #103. The north end of the lake has trails that lead up both sides of the canyon, though the west side is a much more accessed trail than the east side. I don't know if the trail on the west side of the south end of the lake has a name/number, but I'm almost certain that the one on the east side does not (unless its a "crossing" trail and has the same name on both sides)

There's a handful of roads that lead to the ridges along the east side of the lake, but the way down is VERY steep, and a good 600 vertical feet. I usually find some kind of wildlife trail which switchbacks through the steepest sections. Takes me about 30 minutes to get back up. There's some nice spots for camping, but hiking around Chevelon isn't much fun. Then again, neither is hiking up or down the canyon to get there. Which is probably why its my favorite lake!

[rattlesnakewillie]

Chevelon Canyon is one of my favorite day hikes or overnight packing trips. Woods Canyon Lake spillway to Willow Springs spillway can be done is a day but the hike from Woods Canyon lake to Chevelon Lake takes 2-3 days depending on if you stop and smell the roses. The side canyons are just asking to be explored. I usually park near the east side of Chevelon Lake and then get a ride to Woods Canyon for the hike down. There are some really nice camp areas and deep pools even in the dry seasons. As azbackpackr said above some bush whacking is needed as there are not any marked trails just game trails. The Trout will bite anything when the creek is not flowing! Getting out is the hardest just as Pathfinder Aaron said. Just use a good GPS with topo and find a good slope up and out as there are many cliffs to get around. Years ago there was an open jeep trail to the bottom near what I call the point but to many vehicles were left at the bottom so they closed the road.
I just finished posting my first photo set of the south canyon hike we did last month. I hope they turned out ok.

[azbackpackr]

I don't see any South Canyon write-up. You did it in summer? Yikes.

Oh I see you meant south Chevelon Canyon. Not South Canyon, which is in the Grand Canyon.

So, how was the swimming in there? The main reason I liked Chevelon Crossing was because, in August, there were so many swimming holes it was hard to pick one! Plus the fact it gets very little visitation.