Horton Springs (Via the Highline Trail)

This summer, I decided to take a class called, "Outdoor Adventure Skills". I thought it was sort of a outdoor survival class, but it was more like a backpacking/camping class. In reading the course description and class times, I found out there would be a off campus trip, a camping trip. SWEET! I was really looking for a hiking class where I could go on a hike with a couple of people throughout the summer. It is probably too hot this time of year to go hiking in the valley so this class was the next best thing.

During the course of the semester we decided to go to Horton Creek, which flows from a spring that comes right out of the side of the Mogollon Rim. Lakes on top of the rim sort of seep under ground and the water comes out of the spring. There are a few of these creeks that are fed by springs; Tonto Creek, Christopher Creek and Dick Williams Creek to name a few. These creeks are all in the same area northeast of Payson, AZ, in the cool pines of the Tonto National Forest.

A view of the Mogollon Rim from the Fish Hatchery

While planning for the trip, I thought it would be best to go light. I am not in the best of shape and while I am not old, I am no spring chicken either. as I was packing and going over my checklist, I realized there was a lot of stuff going into this pack. I weighed myself while wearing the pack and subtracted my weight and found that I was going to be carrying 37 lbs of gear, and that was WITHOUT the water! I tried to cut out some things but when it came right down to it I kept on thinking, "what if". What if I leave out some food and I run out? What if I leave out some clothes and it gets cold? What if it rains and I don't have that poncho? Well, none of these things happened and I could have left out all of that stuff (and I probably should have). In the end, I was carrying a pack weighing 43 lbs(maybe more).

It was decided that morning that we would go to the Tonto Fish Hatchery before embarking on our adventure and take the Highline Trail to the campsite. The Highline Trail was made in the latter half of the 1800's to connect ranches along the base of the Mogollon Rim, one of which belonged to L.J. Horton. Horton moved to the area in 1881 and by 1888 was tending some 200 heads of cattle. Tragedy came to the Horton homestead however when he came back from a trip and found that his entire heard had been taken by cattle rustlers and he had to give up ranching (Warren 121).  From the highway to the springs is about 5 miles as apposed to our other option which was the Horton Creek Trail #285 that is about 4 miles. I thought that would be fine, what is one more mile? The length wasn't so much the problem, it was more difficult than it was long. It was a beautiful trail with great views of the rim and in some of the high places, great views of the Tonto Forest below the rim.

Starting out on the trail, we crossed over a creek (I think it may have been the Tonto, although it also could have been the Dick Williams) and headed out for a mile or so. We came to a spot where we took a slight detour to the Dick Williams Spring. It was a little off the beaten path although there was evidence of fellow travelers. We followed the creek up a ways and found a nice place to rest. We took off our packs and hiked up a ways more where the instructor gave a demonstration on his water purifier. He dropped one end of a hose in the creek and another in his water bottle and in the middle was a hand pump where the filter was. we all took turns and filled up our water bottles and hydration packs and continued up the creek. A little further up, we came across a bush with berries on it. They were wild raspberries and they were fully ripe and ready to eat. We were told that they were (relatively) safe for human consumption (there is always a risk there could be some kind of contamination) and we all picked the berries and ate them right off of the bush. They were wonderfully sweet and tart. A truly organic treat.

Picking Raspberries

After we got back to the Highline Trail, I knew I was in trouble. It went up and it kept going up. My shoulders started to hurt as did my calves. I was sucking wind like a woman in labor. I stopped to rest hear and there and took the opportunity to take some pictures. I thought I had turned off my phone, but apparently I didn't because it started to ring. It was a good thing though because it was someone who was going to meet us at the springs and they were wondering where we were. While trying to speak and catch my breath at the same time, I must have said something like, "Detour...Dick Williams Spring...Raspberries...Be there soon".

Dick Williams Creek

After I caught up with the group and told them about the phone call, we decided to take another detour (actually, I just went along with the group). once again, we abandoned our packs (THANK YOU GOD!) and hiked up this hill to what the instructor called the "vortex" where different energies converge upon this one spot. There were some power-lines on one side of this hill or butte and some said they could feel something, but all I could feel was my body, struggling to keep from falling apart. I could hear my body yelling, "Why?! Why are you doing this?!!" Aside from that, the view was spectacular! There was the rim on one side and the valley below. You could see the power-lines stretch out for miles below. The vistas from our vantage point were just beautiful.

The Mogollon Rim

Along the way, some of my classmates noticed I was struggling. some suggested carrying my pack higher and another offered to take some of my load. They were all very helpful and kind to do so. It wasn't long before we arrived at camp. I took off my pack and sat on a rock for a long while. Other people started setting up there tents and cooking there dinner and I just felt like dying! I had been eating dried fruit and nuts along the trail and sucking down water like no tomorrow and it all just came back up at one point. I took out my trowel that I brought with me and buried my vomit then tried to get moving. I set up camp and was feeling better before dark. We pumped more water out of the spring and had class around a campfire ring (no campfire though. No burn rule in effect). Another camper and I managed to tie our food up in a tree so it wouldn't attract bears and then we went to sleep.

Horton Springs

The Snozberries taste like Sozberries!

The next morning, most of the campers were gone. They got an early start and had other things to do. I explored the moss covered springs that flow from underneath a rock and into the creek bed, that eventually merges with the Tonto Creek that flows into the Verde River. I washed myself and brushed my teeth, packed up my gear and we headed out, minus the instructor (Dr. Brown took the Highline Trail back to get the van). The Horton Creek Trail #285 was like strolling through the mall with your grandmother compared to the Highline Trail. There were gorgeous waterfalls along the way and we stopped one more time to eat some more Raspberries.


All and all, this was an experience I will never forget. My only regret is that we had such a short time to explore and relax. If I ever get the chance, I will go back and take the time to enjoy it that much more.





Warren, Scott S. 100 Classic Hikes in Arizona. Seattle, Washington: The Mountaineers Books, 2007. Print.