Weekend Warriors Arizona Hiking

BOX CANYON

If pool jumping and scrambling in a box canyon near the Mogollon Rim area appeals to you, this is your hike.

HOW TO GET THERE

This hike is located near Payson, AZ.

From the Phoenix area, take HWY 87 North towards Payson. Once in Payson, take HWY 260 east toward Kohl's Ranch, AZ. Between mile markers 271 and 272, there is an unmarked informal parking area on the right. Since the area is unsigned, it can be tough to know if you are in the right place. If you reach the Boy scout camp, you've gone too far. You will know you are in the right place when you start hiking and soon see a big yellow sign talking about how the trail goes to box canyon and any progress down box canyon can be dangerous. When you park, make sure you are well off of HWY 260 (away from the no parking signs and towards the fence).

RATING

Be Aware of: Scrambling, swimming, flash flood danger.

30 yr old Recommendation: Lots of fun swimming and scrambling. This is a Moderate hike. You will get wet!

Kids love the swimming... bring them along

DETAILS

Elevation change: about 600 ft descent into the canyon.

Distance: About 1.0 miles to the start of the canyon

              another 1.0 miles down the box canyon.

Time: It took us a leisurely three hours.

Time of year: summer

Solitude: You'll see a few people on this hike. Expect to meet 15-50 people on this hike during a weekend. Get there early to avoid the rush of people.  

This is a great hike to escape the Phoenix heat in the summer. From the parking area, it's about a 30 minute walk along a well marked trail through a pine forest to the canyon creek. Once you get to the creek, the fun begins. Start making your way through the water down creek. Your progress will be marked with swimming from one pool and jumping into the next. Continue until you get tired, find a nice place to hang out, or get to a place that looks too dangerous for your abilities to make your way back. This place is a blast!

It's a popular place in the summer. If you get there early, you will have more privacy. Also, the further downstream you go, the less people there are. If you are looking for some variety, you can go upstream too. There are no narrows upstream, but there is a shady and peaceful creek. If you don't want to walk in the water, there is even a trail on the right side of the creek.

[splashing around in box canyon]

[hiking upstream of box canyon (Christopher Creek)]

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