Trail starts by crossing Horton Creek a few yards above its' meeting with Tonto Creek. The official trail is an abandoned jeep trail traveling up the west side of Horton Creek. The creek was within hearing, but out of sight for most of the hike. In the summer the flow may be all underground but there was a decent flow during my hike. Heed the call of the creek and take some of the many short detours (including paths that run between the road and creek) for a more scenic hike. Until you start switch-backing near the top, the trail is only a few yards from a view of the creek.

The 4-mile hike to the Horton headwaters is a gental climb. (Some claim not to notice they are going uphill ... it is very clear to me that the trail is heading up but the grade is gradual and steady.) The headwaters, at least two springs flowing out of limestone, are quite scenic.

The hike itself (if you don't make excursions to the creek) is nothing special -it is typical of any hike near the rim. The trail, especially where runoff has converted the original jeep trail into a wash, is rocky. I included a photo ... it is typical of the Jeep trail but you can take side trails between the raod and the creek for a good chunk of the hike.