Derrick - Horton Loop Photoset • Daytripper • 2020-06-03 • HikeArizona.COM

Derrick - Horton Loop, AZ

	2020-06-03
	9 by Daytripper

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Derrick - Horton Loop

Payson, AZ

Derrick - Horton Loop

Payson, AZ

Hiking	10.50 Miles	2,000 AEG

Hiking	10.50 Miles	4 Hrs 50 Mns		2.52 mph
	2,000 ft AEG	40 Mns Break	12 LBS Pack

Linked

linked

Derrick Trail #33

Highline Trail #31

Horton Creek Trail #285

Partners

none

no partners

Parked at the Derrick trailhead , only a horse trailer there when I arrived. Evidence of horses on the same loop as I hiked up Derrick. A bit warmer than I hoped on the intermittently shaded Derrick felt better once on the stretch of Highline going to Horton Springs . Highline Trail is in great shape , some wide open views plus a few patches of lupine and the smell of pines added to the pleasantness of this trail. Only saw a total of 5 hikers by the time I reached Horton Springs area where a group of 8 were hanging out. Climbed over the fallen pine tree on the right side walking up to the spring, fascinated with the water swirling out of the rocks but hard for me to get a good picture of it. Not wanting to hang out at this crowded area went along the Horton Creek Trail about 1.5 miles and dropped into the creek at an area with several flat rocks. Made for a good place to wade almost to the knees in ice cold water and then stretch out on the rocks. The sound of rushing water made it too relaxing and I took a 15 minute power nap

Adding to the nice scenery of running creek and columbines was a butterfly convention happening along here. Another 7 or 8 hikers met on this lower part of the trail until nearing the gate where there were too many to count “hikers” most toting towels from there on to the packed parking lot. Soaked my hat and scarf below the bridge before the walk down the road, a half dozen cars parked along the road and only that many in the Derrick trailhead lot, by now temp was hovering around 90°. Glad I finished up on the Horton Creek Trail but I would not want to be in the lower part of the trail or campground area on the weekend.