HAZ directions go in on North side via FR 142E but I took FR 616 to where the creeks split at the latter part of the trail. Took three dogs on this hike, Naomi, Inca and Pebbles. Naomi and Inca are older and do the easier hikes. This was Pebbles first hike but she's a bit physically impaired and not difficult to control. Hiked downstream a bit then back up to the spring. Downstream the ferns are visibly withering and the water doesn't make it past what is a lovely creekside meadow in wetter years with a massive fallen tree. The black silt dirt was also too hot for the dogs as we came down from the parking area. It wasn't shaping up to be a good hike. Coming back up we startled a rafter of six adult wild turkeys. Inca gave chase but she's so fat now they easily got away. One flew to cover, pretty cool to see. The trail up to he spring is much cooler and teeming with butterflies. Nearly stepped on a small snake with lengthwise stripes. I foolishly tried to catch him but luckily for me he got away. The spring is amazing, I was afraid to look for too long into the cave. Who knows what could be lurking in there! After we got back to the creek junction and headed to the parking lot, we came up on several cattle and a couple calves. Naomi was too tired but Inca and Pebbles found their reserves and chased them for a short distance. That got them both back on leash until we made it to the Jeep.
Lastly, thank you Ace Hardware in Payson for carrying the right screws to secure a hard top down on an old Jeep Wrangler. That's all I'm gonna say about that.
Route Editor
Route Scout
After we got back to the creek junction and headed to the parking lot, we came up on several cattle and a couple calves. Naomi was too tired but Inca and Pebbles found their reserves and chased them for a short distance. That got them both back on leash until we made it to the Jeep.
That's all I'm gonna say about that. 
