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Me and my husband want to take a retreat hike to Fossil Springs to get away from the kids for a few hours. I want to know a few things about this hike first. How far is it until you actually see water? I know there is that dreaded hike back up, how long is that, 1 mile? My husband has his fishing license and wants to know if fishing is allowed. I can't wait to go.

Thanks everyone

If you go in from the Irving Power Plant end (not the standard trailhead as such) the hike is relatively level, but on a "road" that was used to service the (now defunct) flume. The hike is about 4 miles and you should reach water right at the beginning & then again about 3 miles in. To reach this lower trailhead, merely continue on FR 708 past the turn-in for the upper T/H until you get down to creek level. You will see the parking area shortly thereafter on the right JUST BEFORE the power plant. If you reach the power plant, you've gone too far.
( some history about the power plant, and the nearby Childs power plant HERE > http://www.pinestrawhs.org/childsirving.htm

Map link here > the "road" runs just north of the creekbed >> http://www.public.asu.edu/~bvogt/20-20/ ... ossil.html

Fishing "should" be allowed although Tonto USFS should know for sure.

kurt

Also, if you feel gung-ho before/after the hike, you might check out Verde Hot Springs. It will give you a chance to check out the Childs Power Plant and get in a good soak to boot. It is shaded in the afternoon.
It's just a few mile drive from the Irving Power Plant.... and a mile +/- hike in.

Link to HAZ description http://www.hikearizona.com/photocodeZOO ... 21&TNI=203

Map > http://www.reith.ca/verde/slide2.html

Hi, I don't think you can hike from the power plant anymore, both parking lots are closed, and there are signs saying how they are removing the flume and the area is unsafe. It says the entire area is closed. also. we went to fossil springs last weekend and when I got out of the car I saw a sign that said attention anglers. I paid no attention because I thought it was talking about using lures and flies only. So we hiked down to the water and I had my fishing rod. We saw lots of trout but I never fished because the thunder became very loud and we wanted to get out before a storm hit, well after a long slog we made it back up the hill and I read the sign. It said in 2004 usfg removed all non native fish and relpaced them with natives. gila and apache trout. It said fishing was illegal until 2007 so the fish stocks had a chance to grow and get settled. The fine was listed at $ 10,000.!!!! I've never been so happy not too fish. After the hike we drove down to the powerplant and saw the same signs there. So it looks like you can only hike in via the steep hill, it's tuff but not that bad, I also would like to try using hiking poles next time, should keep the knee's a bit fresher.

Thanks for letting me know about the no fishing. We will just swim and relax. This may be a stupid question, but after the walk down to the creek, do you walk up or down the creek to reach the nice pools/falls? It may be obvious when we get there, but just thought I would ask.

Again, thanks for the information.

I would do a little more research before you head up there. I'm pretty sure that the area is closed in general, not to just fishing. You don't want to get the fine. It'll ruin your day.

I assumed it was open since there have been some folks that have gone up there since they shut down the operation of the dam. Please let me know, we plan on heading up there on the 27 or the 28th. I really appreciate all the information about the area. Thanks

In response to mcontreras' reply:

It's been re-opened by the Forest Service as of July26th.

TERMINATION OF ORDER

TONTO NATIONAL FOREST
Pursuant to Title 36 CFR 261.50 (a) and (b), the prohibition listed in Forest Order 12-210 applicable to the Tonto National Forest, (closure of Fossil Springs) dated June 28, 2005 and signed by Thomas J. Klabunde, is hereby terminated.

This order becomes effective this 26th day of July, 2005.

Done at Phoenix, Arizona this , day of , 2005.


GENE BLANKENBAKER
Forest Supervisor
Tonto National Forest
VIOLATIONS OF THESE PROBITIONS ARE PUNISHABLE BY A FINE OF NOT MORE THAT $10,000, OR IMPRISONMENT FOR NOT MORE THAN SIX (6) MONTHS, OR BOTH. TITLE 16 USC, SECTION 551.

Link here > http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/tonto/news/orde ... losure.doc

HikeAZ - Thanks for posting that information and setting things straight. I hate assuming.

So glad it's open.

when I went last weekend, parking lot by the dam was still closed, if you do end up going please let us know if it is open or not.

We have a sitter for tomorrow, Saturday, September 17th, but when I read the directions to get there, they were confusing to me. Can someone clear it up. We will be coming from the west valley and know how to get to Payson. I bolded the part that's confusing. Thanks everyone.

Directions to trail: First, get to Strawberry area. Turn right (west) on Route 708 (also known as Fossil Crek Road). The road is paved for 2.5 miles then becomes unpaved. Stay on FR 708 to the 81.1 mile point, where you will see the signed road to the trailhead to your right. Turn off on this access road which ahs some wahsouts, but can be dirven by any car that has reasonable clearance. You wil reach the loop partking area at 82 miles.

(directions by HAZ-Member SlipnSlide) Take HWY 87 approx. 90 miles from the McDowell Road. You will pass through Payson, Pine, and then enter Strawberry. Take a left on Fossil Creek Road (There is a yummy café on the corner that will inspire you as you drag yourself that last mile on the way back up.) After 5 miles of Fossil creek road turn right when you see signs for the trailhead.

Site/Location as of: Condition
Red Rock Ranger District
Closure Order


7/26/05
There is an "area closure" in effect for the Flume Trail and Fossil Creek area to the wilderness boundary north of the Irving Power Plant. This closure is expected to remain in affect over the next several years during the deconstruction activities of the flume structure and facilities. The Flume Trailhead located near the Irving Power Plant along FR708 is officially closed including access to Fossil Creek south of the springs. The Fossil Spring Trail and trailhead located on the Tonto NF along FR708 above the spring will remain open. Access to the Flume Trail from Fossil Spring is closed.

http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/conditions/index.shtml

In response to mcontreras' reply:

Both of those directions are correct depending on where you are coming from. Since you live in the west valley, I suppose you would go up the 17 to 260. In that case, you would turn right onto Fossil Creek Rd. If you are going up the Beeline from Payson, you would turn left.
I guess this info comes a day late though; nevermind

matt

We didn't end up going because of the closure mentioned. Instead we ended up doing the Bell Trail Hike. We had fun. Long hike, but we did some jumps and relaxed a bit. Thanks for the Info Matt.

So is the place open or closed? I am confused my the posts, some say yes and some say no.

The regular trail is open it's just the Flume trail thats closed.

i was just in fossil springs and also hiked the flume trail, it was the middle of august and both were open, in fact we bumped into a ranger in the area while on the flume trail, we sat and talked with him for awhile and he never mentioned anything about a closure, in two spots however it was noticeble that the flume was being tore down