Water Wheel Recreation Area

This morning we drove to the Water Wheel Recreation Area in the Tonto National Forest about 9 miles north of Payson Arizona. We went a short ways both upstream and downstream.

In some places the East Verde River was very still.

We went  upstream first, there were lots of lovely rocks.

Views as we continued upstream

Lovely rock walls in the small canyon. 

There are several small waterfalls along the river.

There are gorgeous rock formations along the near side of the river as well.

More view as we continue upstream

We turned around shortly after where Ellison Creek joins the East Verde River. I hope to come back and explore more of this area one day.

The water was much calmer going downstream from the Water Wheel parking area.

Alligator juniper tree

These red leaves were the only fall color I saw here this morning.

some of the wildflowers we saw this morning

  

 

 

Horton Creek Loop Trail with a side trip up to Promontory Butte

We drove up to the Horton Creek Parking area to do a loop hike connecting Derrick Trail #33, to the Highline Trail #31 and Norton Creek Trail #285, with a side trip up Promontory Trail #278 up to the Mogollon Rim. Overall we hiked 11 miles with 2,900 ft of gain. We were happy to be hiking in the cool of the forest today. Large puddle by the Derrick Trail.

We saw a nice variety of wildflowers along our route today.

View between the trees looking to the Mogollon Rim further west.

Closer view up to the Mogollon Rim

View to the south along the Highline Trail.

I love the bark on the alligator juniper trees.

The Promontory Trail is very steep, gaining about 1,100 ft in 0.75 miles.

View to the south from up on Promontory Butte

View to the southeast looking at another part of Promontory Butte on the Mogollon Rim.

Back on the Highline Trail, we saw the start of some fall colors.

Horton Creek a short distance below the log crossing over the creek.

We hiked up a very short distance to see where Horton Creek comes out of the rocks as it starts it journey down the mountain.

Butterfly along the trail

Small waterfall along Horton Creek

Beautiful pink rocks and some fall color along a section of Horton Creek.

some of the wildflowers and fall colors we saw on the trail today: