Haigler Creek via Fishermans Point, AZ

Overview
This hike follows a closed jeep trail down to scenic Haigler Creek, a perennial creek in the forested hills between Young and the Mogollon Rim. One can hike to the creek and back for a short little adventure or continue as far up Haigler Creek canyon as desired for a more extended trip.


Hike
Once you have located Fishermans Point with its seemingly out-of-place guard rail (a parking barrier in reality) and interpretive sign, park your vehicle and begin your hike. The trail to the creek follows a closed jeep trail that departs from behind the left (north) side of the guard rail. The descent along the old jeep trail is quite steep, and trekking poles come in handy. Tall ponderosa pines provide ample shade along the way. Partway down, the jeep trail makes a switchback, while a distinct trail continues off from the switchback point. It does not matter whether you take the trail or the jeep trail from this point, as both routes meet up just before the creek.After a three hundred-foot descent in a half of a mile, you will arrive at the rushing waters of Haigler Creek. The canyon bottom here is decorated with pines, alders, sycamores, and Virginia Creeper vines. The water is refreshing and downright chilly even in summer, and a few small pools are just big enough to soak in. This area sees frequent use by the weekend party crowd from my experiences, so I wouldn't advise camping here, but it is certainly worth a day visit. A few ATV riders have managed to sneak around the guard rail at the top and have made it down to Haigler Creek, despite the "closed to motor vehicles" sign at the top.

From the end of the jeep trail at Haigler Creek, one can walk a short distance down the canyon to a rocky area with some small cascades. Going up the canyon, one enters an attractive canyon of tall pines and high mountainsides once you have bypassed a rocky ridge at the upper end of the 5600-foot contour.

2010-10-19 PrestonSands