Deer Creek Trail #45, AZ : Reliable water from the top down.

[louie]

I'm contemplating backpacking this from the top down this weekend and wondering if anyone has any beta on the water situation from the top down. Like when we can expect to hit water. The topo shows a spring at Gowan camp, but how reliable is that? As always thank you for the help:-)

[xsproutx]

Deer Creek was running nicely a couple of weeks ago and that should still be the case. Water shouldn't be an issue.

[louie]

@xsproutx How many miles you think from the top (Mt. Peeley TH) until you hit water going down? Is the spring at Gowan Camp reliable this time of year? Thank you for the info.

[nonot]

It is generally flowing from higher up the mountain, not from a spring at Gowan camp. As it dries out parts of the creek go dry but water tends to surface every few hundred yards... so check up or downstream a bit if the spot you are at isn't flowing. Gowan camp is a nice place to camp though it is what I consider the spider capital of Arizona...bring a tent or bug net.

[xsproutx]

Second nonot; I think you'll hit the creek a little over a mile if you're starting from the Mt Peeley TH and, like he said, if you don't see if, it'll pop back above ground before too long. Right now, though, it's mostly above ground

[louie]

Great info! thanks!

[mntncrvr]

@louie
My hiking partner and I did trail maintenance (beefed up cairns and trimmed) on Deer Creek trail spring 2021. I don't remember the water situation but as far as trail maintenance others have tried hiking DC from top to bottom and it has been over grown since we did trail maintenance. My advice is bring clippers and watch out for plenty of poison ivy. Use Route Scout app, it's spot on.