Fish Creek Hill • Hike • Arizona • All Triplogs • HikeArizona.COM

Fish Creek via Lost Dutch

JF Trail #106

Peters Trail #105

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John9L

It’s been about 10 years since last time in Fish Creek. Of course, now the road is closed so joined 9L for Upper Fish Creek Loop hike. Starting from Tortilla trailhead we walked road over to the overlook and then headed down the closed part of the road. I was curious to see the road damage first hand and it was interesting to see. We ran into an ADOT employee and some visitors taking pictures of the damage. Finally reached the bridge and headed up Fish Creek canyon.

Fish Creek was really nice and we were about right for fall color. Some flowing water in the creek in places as we made way up canyon. Also, really large house size boulders in the beginning that made for sporty challenge but nothing we couldn’t manage. Still the fall color was the most surprising and unexpected. I always seem to forget how late fall occurs in the low desert. After bouldering for several hours the canyon gets easier but still very scenic. Eventually we stopped for short lunch break near our canyon exit point.

After lunch we followed a route out of Fish Creek which was old trail but hard to follow. The route intersected with JF Trail #106 which we followed to the Tortilla road. We did a quick look up Peters Trail and canyon just to check out that canyon. We were not too motivated to explore so we hiked back to Tortilla Road and hiked that out to the trailhead. Did see a few people on the way near the trailhead but that was it for the whole day.

Autumn Foliage Observation Substantial
cottonwoods, sycamore and others

Wildflowers Observation Isolated

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Jun 17 2020

Guides 4
Routes 17
Photos 4,044
Triplogs 483

80 male

Joined Feb 17 2010
Apache Junction,

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Jun 17 2020
		AZLumberjack

Hiking	2.20 Miles	100 AEG

Hiking	2.20 Miles

	100 ft AEG

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For the last several days I've been watching the smoke billowing out of the Bush Fire so this morning I took a trip out the Apache Trail (State Hwy 88) to see what I could see. There's a pull-over around mile 206 that offers a nice distant view of Four Peaks so I pulled over for some photos of the smoky mountains.

I was aware that the fire was moving both north and south but it's also traveling east and west as well. From my vantage point, it looked as though the smoke might be almost to the Horse Mesa Dam on the east and close to Saguaro Lake on the west. Four Peaks is completely on fire and if the wind blows right, the mountain is lost in the smoke.

As long as I was out and around (not doing much during this darn quarantine), I decided to continue on to Fish Creek Hill for a look-see, first time there since the last Monsoon season. There was very little traffic at 07:30 so I had the road all to myself and was able to cruise with the windows down and get an occasional whiff of smoke in the air.

There's a no-nonsense barricade across the road at the scenic rest stop at the top of the hill and no one else around. I parked my truck, grabbed my camera and headed down the hill. There are no signs of vehicular traffic on the road, just a couple of bicycle tire marks and some shoe prints but lots of plastic bottles and trash. The old road has some serious washouts and lots of loose rocks and sand where the road surface once was, it was almost like walking in a sandy washout.

I was half a mile down the road when I discovered that my water bottle was still in the truck so I didn't want to go any further as it was quickly warming up. I can only visualize the amount of water rushing down the road during that Monsoon, the guard rails are still along the high sides of the road and must have kept the water from destroying the outside edges.

I'll have to do this again if the weather gives me a break and I remember to bring my water along. I want to see the actual rock closures further down.

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On every trip into the Superstitions, I find another Gold Mine. Today the mine was filled with Memories. I can not wait for the next trip.

Mar 24 2020

AZLOT69

Guides 175
Routes 247
Photos 7,717
Triplogs 1,893

70 male

Joined Feb 12 2002
Gold Canyon, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Mar 24 2020
		AZLOT69

Hiking	6.00 Miles	800 AEG

Hiking	6.00 Miles

	800 ft AEG

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Hiked the typical viewpoints, then hiked down the closed road to the fish creek bridge beyond and back. Rock slide is significant. This road won't be reopened anytime soon, if ever.

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It's best for a man to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open his mouth and remove all doubt.
--Mark Twain

1 archive

Mar 08 2020

chumley

Guides 80
Routes 687
Photos 15,428
Triplogs 1,579

47 male

Joined Sep 18 2002
Tempe, AZ

Fish Creek BM 3053, AZ

Hiking		Mar 08 2020
		chumley

Hiking	1.23 Miles	303 AEG

Hiking	1.23 Miles	54 Mns	1.57 mph

	303 ft AEG	7 Mns Break

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Exploring things. I've never been to this benchmark. It's in good shape with two reference marks. There are two higher points a couple hundred yards away. Odd placement for this one.

I'm going to argue about the damage to SR88 being related to the Woodbury Fire. There is zero burn area affecting the portion between Tortilla Flat and Fish Creek Hill. Zero. It is actually difficult to imagine exactly what ADOT has been doing to this road for the past several months. Aside from some asphalt in the shoulders, there's nothing new.

Fish Creek Hill itself, is not affected by fire. AT ALL. Period.

Fish Creek Peak and Black Cross Butte were clearly burned, and all the drainages that cross the road east of Fish Creek itself are definitely affected.

But the rest of it is damage from significant rain and flooding that is totally unrelated to the fire.

Either way, I'd be happy to see them open the east end to the Reavis North trailhead. The rest of it can return to nature as far as I'm concerned.

Culture

Benchmark Reference Mark

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33s over 45s

1 archive

Aug 24 2018

ssk44

Guides 19
Routes 12
Photos 2,299
Triplogs 287

46 male

Joined Mar 31 2008
Gilbert, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Aug 24 2018
		ssk44

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Two separate trips within the last week. The desert is lush and green right now from all the rain. It's always so beautiful hear. I saw two groups of sheep yesterday but they were camera shy. I tried to trick them but they ended up tricking me. I had fun. I love this place.

Eric

Flora

Ocotillo

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ISAIAH 6:2-3 / MATTHEW 11:28-30

Dec 02 2017

Guides 4
Routes 17
Photos 4,044
Triplogs 483

80 male

Joined Feb 17 2010
Apache Junction,

Phoenix, AZ

Scenic Drive		Dec 02 2017
		AZLumberjack

Scenic Drive	2.20 Miles	100 AEG

Scenic Drive	2.20 Miles	1 Hour	2.20 mph

	100 ft AEG

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I have company visiting us from Minnesota in a couple of weeks so this morning, I drove out to Fish Creek Hill, to check out the condition of the road (SR 88). I pulled over in Tortilla Flat as a Maricopa Sheriff's car sped past, followed by a flat-bed wrecker, so I followed em. As I began descending Fish Creek Hill, I found the vehicles were parked close to a curve in the road, so I got out my cameras and approached them. There was a State Trooper and the wrecker operator peering over the hill and as I got closer, I could see a car balanced on the precipice of a steep cliff about ten feet below me.

I talked with the Trooper and found out that the incident had occurred around 0300 this morning (it was now going on 10:00) and the vehicle operator had swerved to avoid a deer in the middle of the single-land road and lost control of the vehicle. The car plunged down the initial ten feet onto a shelf where he "bailed out" of the car which continued on for the short distance before getting hung-up by its undercarriage. The vehicle operator had left the scene and called the police but was unhurt.

https://www.facebook.com/Images.in.the.Wilderness/

_____________________

On every trip into the Superstitions, I find another Gold Mine. Today the mine was filled with Memories. I can not wait for the next trip.

Apr 28 2017

Guides 4
Routes 17
Photos 4,044
Triplogs 483

80 male

Joined Feb 17 2010
Apache Junction,

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Apr 28 2017
		AZLumberjack

Hiking	2.20 Miles	100 AEG

Hiking	2.20 Miles	2 Hrs	1.10 mph

	100 ft AEG

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Cloudy, cool and windy, doesn't sound like a recipe for much hiking fun so I jumped in the truck and headed out to Fish Creek Hill to see if I could, by chance, spot a Bighorn Ram roaming the cliffs. Once the blacktop ends the gravel road is a bumpy, nasty drive but there wasn't any traffic so I just poked along taking advantage of the scenery. As I went through Tortilla Flat, I could smell the smoke from the Cactus Fire way over by the Bush Hwy

I drove slowly down the Fish Creek Hill, stopping occasionally to step out and "glass" the steep walls for Bighorns but none to be seen. After crossing the bridge at the bottom, I glanced across the creek and there was a family of "Horns" that had been on the downhill side of the road and that wasn't where I had been looking. I put on the telephoto and got off a few shots then jumped in the truck and headed back up the road, slowly so as not to spook them.

I parked and walked up the road while the curious family watched me intently but they seemed more curious than alarmed so I was able to get fairly close. The family consisted of six with one Mr. Bighorn, one Mrs. Bighorn and four Littlehorn kids. Shortly, they were approaching the end of the green area and began to get nervous because I was behind them and they had an impossibly steep cliff on the back side. At this point, they quickly dropped down to the road and ran a hundred feet before breaking up into another green area.

I followed without pushing them but when I got to the area where they had darted into, they were no where to be seen. I checked the road for hoof prints and the only ones I found were leading back uphill into the green thicket. I kept looking for several minutes and finally, way up on top of the vertical wall, was the family looking back down at me... snickering no doubt. There was only one steep angled shelf leading to the top and that must have been the route they took getting away from me.

Fun morning on Fish Creek Hill, shot up a family of Bighorns and I have the photos for my trophy wall :y:

Fauna

Bighorn Sheep

_____________________

On every trip into the Superstitions, I find another Gold Mine. Today the mine was filled with Memories. I can not wait for the next trip.

1 archive

Jan 14 2017

ssk44

Guides 19
Routes 12
Photos 2,299
Triplogs 287

46 male

Joined Mar 31 2008
Gilbert, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Jan 14 2017
		ssk44

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I love it hear. This is one of my favorite places in the state. Great views and great light at days end. These photos are from two separate trips in January.

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ISAIAH 6:2-3 / MATTHEW 11:28-30

1 archive

Jan 01 2017

Guides 4
Routes 17
Photos 4,044
Triplogs 483

80 male

Joined Feb 17 2010
Apache Junction,

Apache Trail / State Route 88

Phoenix, AZ

Scenic Drive		Jan 01 2017
		AZLumberjack

Scenic Drive

Scenic Drive

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There must be something good happening when Christmas and New Year's weekends are both rained out so I drove out to Fish Creek Hill to check out the waterfalls. It was fairly spectacular but not nearly as awesome as the photo posted by Eric last week [ photo ]
Once past Tortilla Flat, the gravel stretches of the road are rutted, potholed and washboard by the mile and the downhill trip is very slow going. It was a pleasure to see the water flowing off the tall cliffs and dashing against the solid rock wall below the rim, it's also pretty noisy.

Below the hill, Fish Creek is flowing with a vengeance as it passes under the bridge, after seeing only shallow pot holes for the last year, this was a welcome departure. There were several vehicles out with lots of them stopping to photograph the unusual phenomenon. On one narrow stretch, I had to wait for eight vehicles to pass before I could continue on up the hill. Tortilla Creek is flowing over the top of the road once again and a short distance further, the road is also under water but there are no postings closing the road.

The weather was fickle too as almost every time I stopped to take photos, it would begin sprinkling yet, moments later, the sun would make a brief appearance and light up the face of the cliffs. And as a footnote, there's still bits of color to be found on the trees

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On every trip into the Superstitions, I find another Gold Mine. Today the mine was filled with Memories. I can not wait for the next trip.

Dec 22 2016

ssk44

Guides 19
Routes 12
Photos 2,299
Triplogs 287

46 male

Joined Mar 31 2008
Gilbert, AZ

Apache Trail / State Route 88

Phoenix, AZ

Scenic Drive		Dec 22 2016
		ssk44

Scenic Drive

Scenic Drive

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I haven't posted in awhile. I wanted to share a recent trip. This is a unique rare site above Fish Creek Hill that I had the privilege to photograph while driving back from Apache Lake. It rained cats and dogs for a full thirty minutes prior to taking this photo. It was like draining a bucket. The rain stopped shortly after I pulled up. All four of the Fish Creek Hill high cliff waterfalls were running at full blast. It was an amazing site to behold. It was just perfect timing. I'm an Arizona native and I've never been able to time the conditions right to see that. I've only heard about it. Spray and mist was actually blocking the road at one of the waterfalls. The culvert just couldn't handle the flow. Two large boulders fell onto the road about half way up the hill that nearly kept me from getting home. My full sized truck barely fit between them. I thought for sure that Fish Creek Hill was going to wash out. I didn't know it could handle so much rain. It's been years since I've experienced such a storm.

Autumn Foliage Observation Substantial

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ISAIAH 6:2-3 / MATTHEW 11:28-30

2 archives

Sep 15 2016

Digital_Sherpa

Photos 393
Triplogs 48

male

Joined Jul 20 2002
Gilbert, AZ

http://www.ronadcockphotography.com

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Sep 15 2016
		Digital_Sherpa

Hiking	2.20 Miles	100 AEG

Hiking	2.20 Miles

	100 ft AEG

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This is always a fun place to wander around at the end of the day as long as you're not opposed to exposure. I had hoped to spot the herd of bighorns that I know frequent the area but it didn't happen. This is a great location to watch the rising full moon!

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Mar 28 2014

Randal_Schulhauser

Guides 71
Routes 98
Photos 9,967
Triplogs 1,009

61 male

Joined May 14 2003
Ahwatukee, AZ

Apache Trail Circle Route, AZ

Hiking		Mar 28 2014
		Randal_Schulhauser

Hiking	8.39 Miles	590 AEG

Hiking	8.39 Miles	8 Hrs	1.05 mph

	590 ft AEG

no routes

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Fish Creek Canyon - Upper Bridge

Fish Creek Lower Canyon

Tonto National Monument - Lower Dwellings

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Apache Trail with Drew & Janice - March 2014
FitBit totals = 8.39 miles, 590 AEG (59 floors)

Apache Trail circle route map :next:

http://www.ajpl.org/The%20Apache%20Trai ... 0Route.pdf
Apache Trail official website :next:

http://apachetrailarizona.com

Superstition Mountain Museum :next:

http://superstitionmountainmuseum.org/elvis-chapel/

Fish Creek Hill :next:

http://hikearizona.com/decoder=949

Fish Creek Upper Bridge :next:

http://hikearizona.com/decoder=44

Fish Creek Lower Canyon :next:

http://hikearizona.com/decoder=762

Tonto National Monument Cliff Dwellings :next:

http://hikearizona.com/decoder=745

My cousin Drew and his wife Janice came to visit Arizona from their home in Vancouver British Columbia, Canada. They spent the first part of the week at the Orchards Inn (check out :next:

http://orchardsinn.com ) before staying a few nights at our Ahwatukee home.

To give them a good "taste" of outdoor Arizona, Lynn and I had to take them on the Apache Trail Circle Route. Cudos to the rattlesnake that crossed our path on cue! Now that’s a “true” Arizona experience.

Trip had plenty of stops and starts for photo ops and exploring some side trails. Got home to sample a couple of choice wines and some New York Strips from the BBQ...

Flora

Saguaro

Fauna

Western Diamondback Rattlesnake

Culture

Bridge

Named place

Apache Lake Fish Creek Fish Creek Canyon Theodore Roosevelt Dam Theodore Roosevelt Lake Tonto National Monument

Wildflowers Observation Isolated

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Mar 22 2014

chumley

Guides 80
Routes 687
Photos 15,428
Triplogs 1,579

47 male

Joined Sep 18 2002
Tempe, AZ

Fish Creek Upper Bridge Loop, AZ

Canyoneering		Mar 22 2014
		chumley

Canyoneering	11.74 Miles	1,913 AEG

Canyoneering	11.74 Miles	8 Hrs 40 Mns	1.35 mph

	1,913 ft AEG

Canyon Hiking - Non-technical; no rope; easy scrambling; occasional hand use

B - Up to light current; wading/swimming; possible wet/dry suit

II - Normally requires a half day

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Fish Creek Canyon - Upper Bridge

Fish Creek via Lost Dutch

JF Trail #106

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clairebear

Claire read about a loop in some Supes book, and I'd never done Fish Creek, so I did a quick glance at some tracks on HAZ, and it looked reasonable, so we headed out.

The creek/canyon is beautiful, but very slow going for the first 2 miles or so. As it opens up a bit, the pace increases. We filtered some water where the hike leaves the creek, in anticipation for the long, warm hike back around and down to the bridge.

Plenty of cairns going up the hill make it pretty easy to follow, but the spring grasses make it tough in some spots. A steady eye is necessary for those without a GPS-track to follow (like me).

Once back on FS213, you wonder how somebody in a Jeep can't get out there :whistle:

. It's an easy and relatively flat hike back to the 88. The hike down Fish Creek Hill is great too, save for the dust from the occasional passing car. It was late enough in the day that traffic was light. I helped push a truck out of a ditch. Walking down FCH is also nicer than driving because you can stop and look over the edge more. There are no fewer than 8 vehicles that met their demise on this stretch of road, left to rust on the hillside hundreds of feet below. And at least one boat.

The gem of this hike is the first couple of miles of creek, but the rest of the loop makes it a solid hiking day.

Culture

Humor

Named place

Fish Creek Canyon

Wildflowers Observation Isolated

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33s over 45s

Mar 15 2014

mazatzal

Routes 33
Photos 2,316
Triplogs 1,146

63 male

Joined Jul 28 2004
Scottsdale, AZ

Apache Trail / State Route 88

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Mar 15 2014
		mazatzal

Hiking	0.50 Miles	40 AEG

Hiking	0.50 Miles	20 Mns	1.50 mph

	40 ft AEG

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Quick stop here on our way to Tonto NM.

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1 archive

Oct 18 2012

mazatzal

Routes 33
Photos 2,316
Triplogs 1,146

63 male

Joined Jul 28 2004
Scottsdale, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Oct 18 2012
		mazatzal

Hiking	0.50 Miles	40 AEG

Hiking	0.50 Miles	20 Mns	1.50 mph

	40 ft AEG

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canadarambler

Short out and back.

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Mar 06 2010

kiluam

Guides 1
Routes 3
Photos 101
Triplogs 100

male

Joined Feb 24 2003
Los Angeles

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Mar 06 2010
		kiluam

Hiking	2.20 Miles	100 AEG

Hiking	2.20 Miles

	100 ft AEG

no routes

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cut me some slack jack

Nov 21 2009

alexandy

Guides 2
Routes 4
Photos 8
Triplogs 111

male

Joined Oct 21 2006
Mesa, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Nov 21 2009
		alexandy

Hiking	4.70 Miles	100 AEG

Hiking	4.70 Miles	3 Hrs 5 Mns	1.52 mph

	100 ft AEG

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My original plan was to drive down 1.6 miles on FS 80 and then hike to Canyon Lake on the road. When I got to the parking spot, there was a sign stating there was no trespassing allowed and if I did I could be fined $2000 or $2400 and be jailed for 6 months. Also the FBI and State Police would be notified. So I decided to go to the Fish Hill overlook and hike down the road for about 2.35 miles and return. Met lots of nice people hiking and camping in the area.

Autumn Foliage Observation Isolated

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Oct 07 2009

AZLOT69

Guides 175
Routes 247
Photos 7,717
Triplogs 1,893

70 male

Joined Feb 12 2002
Gold Canyon, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Oct 07 2009
		AZLOT69

Hiking	2.20 Miles	100 AEG

Hiking	2.20 Miles	1 Hour	2.20 mph

	100 ft AEG

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Nice day setting up future adventures.

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It's best for a man to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open his mouth and remove all doubt.
--Mark Twain

May 18 2009

JoelHazelton

Guides 16
Routes 10
Photos 967
Triplogs 406

35 male

Joined Mar 22 2006
Phoenix, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		May 18 2009
		JoelHazelton

Hiking	2.20 Miles	100 AEG

Hiking	2.20 Miles

	100 ft AEG

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Quick hike after work to catch the monsoon sunset. Disappointing photos but it's all a learning process.

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"Arizona is the land of contrast... You can go from Minnesota to California in a matter of minutes, then have Mexican food that night." -Jack Dykinga

http://www.joelhazelton.com

Apr 25 2009

Vaporman

Guides 2
Routes 4
Photos 8,687
Triplogs 931

41 male

Joined Mar 28 2005
SLC, Utah