Reynolds Creek

Area Scenic Attractions:

McFadden Peak has a road up to its lookout tower; turn west about one mile on Forest Road 561 from AZ 288 16 miles south of Young

Workman Creek Waterfalls plunge 200 feet in a canyon south of Young; to get there, go south 21 miles on AZ 288, then turn left 3.2 miles on Forest Road 487 at the sign for "Workman Creek Recreation Area, Sierra Ancha Wilderness"; the turnoff is between Mileposts 284 and 285. A gate 2.6 miles in is closed Dec. 15–March 31. The last quarter mile may be too rough for cars. On the way to the falls, you'll pass primitive campsites at Creeksite, Cascade, and Falls Recreation Sites; no water or fee. This pretty canyon supports dense stands of Douglas fir and white fir, as well as smaller numbers of Arizona sycamore and the relatively rare Arizona maple.

Forest Road 487 continues 3.7 miles past the falls through pine forests, aspen groves, and meadows to the lookout tower atop Aztec Peak (7,748 feet); you can get here with a high-clearance vehicle, mountain bike, or on foot. The tower, when open, provides great panoramas of the Sierra Anchas, Roosevelt Lake, Four Peaks, the Mazatzals, and many other features of central Arizona. Abbey's Way Trail #151 also climbs to the top of Aztec Peak (800 feet in two miles one-way); the trailhead is on the left 0.6 mile past the falls. Parker Creek Trail #160 is on the right side of the road one mile past the falls; it goes southwest 3.4 miles to AZ 288, dropping 2,100 feet. The Rim Trail #139 begins a short way down Parker Creek Trail and curves east and north 7.6 miles to Edwards Spring with good views. Most of the hike lies within the Sierra Ancha Wilderness. It makes an easy outing, with only a 500-foot elevation gain. Coon Creek Trail #254 also branches off Parker Creek Trail for a 4.4-mile, 2,400-foot descent south along Coon Creek to a trailhead at the end of Forest Road 189. Moody Point Trail #140 begins on the right 2.2 miles past the falls on Forest Road 487; it connects with the Rim Trail and continues east all the way across the Sierra Ancha Wilderness to Cherry Creek (which may be too high to cross when it's in flood) and Forest Road 203; this challenging trail is 8.6 miles long and drops 4,200 feet. You can find many places for dispersed camping along Forest Road 487 above the falls, but only the established recreation areas can be used below the falls.
Hikers can cool off in the "tubs," natural pools in Workman Creek; from the Workman Creek bridge on AZ 288, follow the trail downstream 250 yards.

Wilderness Areas
The 20,850-acre Sierra Ancha Wilderness lies 15 miles south of Young and 36 miles north of Globe. Lack of good roads and rugged terrain discourage most visitors—box canyons and sheer cliffs make travel difficult. Elevations range from 3,200 to 7,800 feet. Spring-fed creeks in the eastern portion of the wilderness have carved several short but deep box canyons, including Pueblo, Cold Springs, and Devil's Chasm. Prehistoric Salado built cliff dwellings in these canyons, then departed. Forest Road 203 (Cherry Creek Road) loops around the east side of the Sierra Anchas, providing views into the spectacular canyons. You need a 4WD vehicle for this trip; the northern part of the road is particularly rough. Allow 3.5 hours for the drive.
    Forest Road 487, described above, and other roads off AZ 288 provide access to trailheads in the high country of the west side. For hiking information and a wilderness map, contact the Forest Service in Young, 928/462-4300, or in Phoenix, 602/225-5200.

Salome Wilderness, between Young and Roosevelt Lake, protects 18,530 acres of the Salome and lower Workman Creek watersheds. Perennial waters hold trout and provide a rich riparian habitat for wildlife. The upper end and the higher slopes (elev. 6,543 feet) support pinyon pine and juniper and some Douglas fir and ponderosa pine; the 5.3-mile Hell's Hole Trail #284 begins at AZ 288 at the Reynold's Trailhead, 19 miles south of Young, and ends at Hell's Hole on Workman Creek in the upper part of the canyon. The lower end of the wilderness (elev. 2,500 feet) has some saguaro, ocotillo, and chaparral; the two-mile-long Jug Trail #61 connects Forest Road 60, north of Roosevelt Lake, with the lower end of Salome Creek.

Hellsgate Wilderness, between Young and Payson, preserves 36,780 acres of the watersheds of Tonto, Haigler, Marsh, and Houston Creeks. Sheer cliffs rising above the confluence of Tonto and Haigler Creeks form Hell's Gate; there's good fishing here but only the most adventurous anglers make it in on the steep, difficult Hellsgate Trail #37, which descends into Hell's Gate from both rims. The north trailhead is reached from Payson via AZ 260 and Forest Roads 405A and 893, then it's a six-mile hike to the creeks. Hikers with 4WD vehicles can drive to the south trailhead via Forest Roads 129 and 133; from there it's a 2.5-mile hike in. The trail can get very hot in summer; carry plenty of water.