East Clear Creek

Surrounded by pine trees, ferns, mountains, and meadows, 18 club members, friends, and guests headed out along East Clear Creek. We first hiked down a rocky slope, and along the start of the trail through a short meadow. The creek winds its way through the Tonto National Forest for at least the 3 miles we journeyed.

We crossed the creek at least a dozen times wading through shallow pools and very mild streams. Many more tall pine trees and ferns were every where on both sides of the creek. With the rock walls, tall pine trees with their green needles and brilliant blue skies, taking great pictures was very easy.

We stopped for lunch at a meadow on a hill in the shade of rock wall. A few large pools of water nearby and the slight breezes made for great scenery. At this point, several of us tried to enter a cave where we ventured for about 20 ft. More of a crack than a cave, those of us who are adventurous crawled around rock to made it to the end.

After lunch, we headed back out. As the sun moved across the sky, the lighting changed the scenery completely. Almost as though it were a new trail. Upon returning to the trailhead, several of us grilled hamburgers, while others ventured back to Payson for pizza before heading home.

A great, relatively easy, and beautiful day made for a terrific hike to keep in mind for the spring.