See Canyon Trail
Payson, Arizona
Address: | See Canyon Trailhead, Payson, AZ 85541, USA |
GPS: |
34°20'9.4"N 111°0'51.2"W Maps | Directions |
State: | Arizona |
Trails/Routes: | 3.3 mi |
Streams Trails
Hike
See Canyon Trail #184 takes the hiker on a journey through the wooded Arizona wilderness surrounding Christopher Creek, and leading up the Mogollon Rim. This trail has trailhead markers at the beginning and the end of the trail, allowing hikers to proceed from either end. The first mile of the hike starting from the south is relatively flat, making a great day-trip for kids and dogs (on leash). After 2/3rds of a mile from the southern trailhead, there is a side trail to the right that goes to See Spring, which makes a nice detour if you didn't bring enough water. If you want to continue on, take the fork to the left, which will take you alongside Christopher Creek for a while, before climbing up to the edge of the Mogollon Rim. The hike gets steadily more difficult after the first mile. Christopher Creek flows seasonally, so it may not have much more than a trickle if rain hasn't fallen recently.
It's worth noting that while the lush vegetation provides a beautiful hiking environment, this hike will lack the scenic views of the valley that other hikes down the Mogollon Rim offer. Maples, aspens, and oak trees offer a spectacular autumnal display.
Make sure to bring plenty of water beforehand, you will want it with the steep elevation changes. Keep an eye on the weather, and avoid potential flash flood conditions for your safety.
More Information
Be courteous, informed, and prepared. Read trailhead guidelines, stay on the trail, and don't feed the wildlife.
Read MoreDirections
From Payson, Arizona
- Head northeast on AZ-87 N toward E Frontier St (0.7 mi)
- Turn right onto AZ-260 E (20.1 mi)
- Turn left onto Christopher Creek Loop (1.1 mi)
- Turn left onto Nf-284 (1.6 mi)
There are parking lots at each end of the trail; both accessable by 2 wheel drive car over a gravel road.
Trails
Distance ?
3.3 milesElevation Gain ?
1,716 feetReal Ascent ?
1,977 feetReal Descent ?
261 feetAvg Grade (6°)
10%Grade (-31° to 49°)
-60% to 115%Elevation differences are scaled for emphasis. While the numbers are accurate, the cut-away shown here is not to scale.
Other Hiking Trails Nearby
Christopher Creek Campground
Payson, Arizona
2.1 miles SWChristopher Creek is a popular campground situated just east of Payson, nestled between the Christopher Creek river, and the town of the same name. This site is used for both overnight and day-use...
Camp, Canyoneer, Cross-country Ski, Hike, Swim 0.8 miChristopher Creek Gorge
Payson, Arizona
2.8 miles SWChristopher Creek Gorge is a fun swimming or canyoneering destination located in Christopher Creek, just outside of Payson, Arizona. To get there, you have to hike from the Christopher...
Canyoneer, Hike, Swim 0.8 miPromontory Butte
Payson, Arizona
3.0 miles WThis destination is on the edge of Promontory Butte, providing spectacularly scenic views as part of the Mogollon Rim. There are several old forest roads on the mountain that can serve as trails to...
Hike 4.0 miWoods Canyon Lake
Payson, Arizona
3.9 miles EWoods Canyon Lake is a fishing lake near Payson, Arizona located near the Mogollon Rim. The lake has a hike that loops around it, and several other hikes nearby to look at the particularly scenic...
Camp, Hike, Swim 3.3 miMeadow Trail #505
Payson, Arizona
4.0 miles EMeadow Trail #505 is a paved path that leads from the edge of Woods Canyon Lake to the scenic edge of the Woods Canyon vista. This hike is smooth enough to allow for easy access by wheelchairs,...
HikeUpper Tonto Creek Campground
Payson, Arizona
4.6 miles WUpper Tonto Creek Campground is a beautiful place to camp at the intersection of Tonto and Horton Creeks. In addition to camping, this is a popular destination to both fish and hike. The campground...
Camp, Hike 1.1-3.5 miHorton Springs
Payson, Arizona
4.6 miles WHorton Springs is a spring on the Mogollon Rim that leads into Horton Creek. There are campsites near the springs, and several hiking trails in the area that lead to the spring itself. Between the...
Backpack, Camp, Hike 4.6 miGordon Creek Falls
Payson, Arizona
4.9 miles SEGordon Creek Falls is a relatively unknown little oasis in the middle of the Arizona desert--specifically, outside of the city of Payson. The falls come from Gordon Creek, which winds its way through...
Hike, SwimSinkhole Campground
Payson, Arizona
7.6 miles ESinkhole Campground is a camping area near Willow Springs Lake. There are also hikes, mountain biking trails, and fishing opportunities nearby. There are 26 campsites in total at this...
Camp, Hike, Mountain BikeHaigler Canyon Campground
Payson, Arizona
8.6 miles SThis campground was constructed in 2007 and offers 2 day-use sites and 2 campground areas with 14 overnight sites. This campground boasts a diversity of trees. Fishing for rainbow trout is a popular...
Camp, Hike, SwimHell's Gate
Payson, Arizona
9.3 miles SWThis Wilderness was established in 1984, and contains approximately 37,440 rough acres with a major canyon and perennial stream extending its entire length. Deep pools of water may be separated by...
Backpack, Camp, Hike, Swim 0.5-0.6 miEllison Creek Falls
Payson, Arizona
15.3 miles WEllison Creek provides 4 beautiful waterfalls in this area, each with their own swimming and diving opportunities. There are even fishing spots where trout can be caught. Since the falls are close to...
Dive, Hike, SwimEast Clear Creek
Happy Jack, Arizona
17.1 miles NWEast Clear Creek is a river that stretches through the Mogollon Rim area of Arizona. It provides water to the surrounding desert landscape, fishing opportunities, and various areas to hike,...
Canyoneer, Hike, Swim 1.6-3.6 miKinder Crossing Trail #19
Happy Jack, Arizona
17.9 miles NWKinder Crossing Trail #19 travels down to the beauty of East Clear Creek, and then extends up until reaching FR 137; but many people use the trail to reach the creek waters and play in the water. The...
Hike, Swim 1.9 miMaxwell Trail No. 37
Happy Jack, Arizona
26.7 miles NWThe Maxwell Trail leads over the Mongollan Rim down the canyon into West Clear Creek. Although still somewhat steep, it is an easier hike than shorter neighboring Tramway trail, which shares its...
Hike, SwimBearfoot Trail
Strawberry, Arizona
27.2 miles WHike and Mountain Bike near Strawberry, Arizona
Hike, Mountain Bike 0.6-2.9 miTramway Trail No. 32
Happy Jack, Arizona
27.8 miles NWTramway Trail is a very short but very steep hike down the ridge of the Colorado Plateau to the nearby West Clear Creek. The trail crosses over the sharp edge of the Mogollan Rim, and descends to the...
Hike, Rock Climb, Swim 2.2-6.1 miFossil Creek Dam (Toilet Bowl)
Pine, Arizona
32.0 miles WHidden within the vast Arizona desert is an oasis of a river that brings the surrounding banks to life around it. This is Fossil Creek--one of Arizona's two designated "Wild and...
Dive, Hike, Swim 0.1-3.8 miFossil Springs Trail No. 18
Pine, Arizona
32.0 miles WLocated within the Fossil Springs Wilderness, this trail leads down a canyon to the springs for which it is named. At the trailhead, there are several hikes, some of which are available for...
Hike, Horseback, Swim 1.1 miFossil Creek Waterfall
Pine, Arizona
34.5 miles WFossil Creek is one of Arizona's two designated "Wild and Scenic" rivers. The waterfall is the most popular place to visit to cool off and see the natural beauty. Located between...
Hike, SwimNearby Campsites
Christopher Creek Campground
Payson, Arizona
2.1 miles SWChristopher Creek is a popular campground situated just east of Payson, nestled between the Christopher Creek river, and the town of the same name. This site is used for both overnight and day-use...
Camp, Canyoneer, Cross-country Ski, Hike, Swim 4.0 miWoods Canyon Lake
Payson, Arizona
3.9 miles EWoods Canyon Lake is a fishing lake near Payson, Arizona located near the Mogollon Rim. The lake has a hike that loops around it, and several other hikes nearby to look at the particularly scenic...
Camp, Hike, SwimAspen Campground
Payson, Arizona
4.0 miles EAspen Campground is a large campground near Payson, Arizona. Between the proximity to Woods Canyon Lake and the seclusion of the encompassing Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, this is a...
CampUpper Tonto Creek Campground
Payson, Arizona
4.6 miles WUpper Tonto Creek Campground is a beautiful place to camp at the intersection of Tonto and Horton Creeks. In addition to camping, this is a popular destination to both fish and hike. The campground...
Camp, Hike 1.1-3.5 miHorton Springs
Payson, Arizona
4.6 miles WHorton Springs is a spring on the Mogollon Rim that leads into Horton Creek. There are campsites near the springs, and several hiking trails in the area that lead to the spring itself. Between the...
Backpack, Camp, HikeSinkhole Campground
Payson, Arizona
7.6 miles ESinkhole Campground is a camping area near Willow Springs Lake. There are also hikes, mountain biking trails, and fishing opportunities nearby. There are 26 campsites in total at this...
Camp, Hike, Mountain BikeHaigler Canyon Campground
Payson, Arizona
8.6 miles SThis campground was constructed in 2007 and offers 2 day-use sites and 2 campground areas with 14 overnight sites. This campground boasts a diversity of trees. Fishing for rainbow trout is a popular...
Camp, Hike, SwimHell's Gate
Payson, Arizona
9.3 miles SWThis Wilderness was established in 1984, and contains approximately 37,440 rough acres with a major canyon and perennial stream extending its entire length. Deep pools of water may be separated by...
Backpack, Camp, Hike, SwimVerde Hot Springs
Camp Verde, Arizona
39.0 miles WVerde Hot Springs are a few natural hot spring pools located along the Verde River, near Sedona, Arizona. Once a resort, now all that remains are the foundations and the hot pools...
Camp, Hike, Hot Springs 0.4 miClear Creek Campground
Camp Verde, Arizona
44.6 miles WWest Clear Creek flows along the boundary of this desert canyon country camp and is a popular place for hiking, swimming, wading and fishing. Cool water species such as smallmouth bass and green...
Camp, Hike, SwimBeaver Creek Campground
Camp Verde, Arizona
45.9 miles NWCamp, Canoe, Kayak, and Swim near Camp Verde, Arizona
Camp, Canoe, Kayak, SwimBeaver Creek Dispersed Camping
46.9 miles NW
Free dispersed camping on the cliffs above Beaver Creek.
CampMcHood Park Clear Creek Reservoir
Winslow, Arizona
48.4 miles NELocated just outside of Winslow, Arizona, McHood Park may not initially seem like much. However, with the companion reservoir, it hosts a large variety of potential activities. This area allows for...
Camp, Canoe, Canyoneer, Kayak, Rock Climb, Swim