Horton Creek Alternative for this Weekend (Early April)

[tharris]

Hello all,

A group of us had a long weekend (Thu afternoon - Sun) planned at a friend's primitive cabin but it has fallen through. Now I'm scrambling to find a backpacking trip instead. We have a couple of people coming who have never backpacked before (there are 6 of us). I'm thinking Payson area below the rim is our best bet (weather looks great there for this weekend). We need running water and allowed dispersed camping.

Based on all of that, Horton Creek is probably the perfect spot, but I'd done that trail so many times I think I could do it with my eyes closed. Any other suggestions for a similar (easy-ish, relatively short, flowing water to filter) trail to spend a few nights?

Thanks in advance!

[DBmooner]

Knoll lake from the tonto hatchery is a nice one you don't have a stream but you get a nice lake or the cabin loop is another good one with lots of water right now

[tharris]

@DBmooner: Thanks for the suggestion! Are there rules about how close you can camp to Knoll lake? I thought I remembered something about staying 1/4 mile from the water, but I'm not sure.

[DBmooner]

Its at least 200 feet from a water source .

[DBmooner]

There are 3 camping spots that are a stones through away from the lake and several more that are a little farther back from the lake .