Weekend Warriors Arizona Hiking Guide

BRUSHY SPRING (CAMPAIGN CREEK)

If a highly secluded along a permanent stream through a desert canyon appeals to you, then you'll like this hike.

HOW TO GET THERE

This hike is located near Roosevelt, AZ.

To get to the trailhead: from the Phoenix area, take US-60 East towards Globe. Just after Miami and before globe, take HWY-88 (or 188 depending on the sign) left towards Roosevelt. After 20 miles on this paved road, turn left on the graded and well signed FR449. There is lots of private property in this area, so please respect that property and follow the signs so hiker access isn't threatened. After 1.9 miles on FR449, take a left on FR449A. High clearance and 4 wheel drive is recommended here because the road crosses the creek several times and there are steep grades. After an additional 5.2 miles, you will reach a signed trailhead. Please follow the signs to the public parking and leave the school undisturbed.    

RATING

Be Aware of: 4wd and high clearance vehicle required. Grazing cattle.

30 yr old Recommendation: Gradual climbing along a perennial stream. The out and back described here is a Moderate hike. 

DETAILS

Elevation change: About 1000 ft elevation gain.

Distance: The hike described is 7.6 miles round trip to Mountain spring and back.

Time: It took us 5 hours hiking to complete this hike, with a 30 minute stop for lunch.

Time of year: October to April. Recommended in the fall when the leaves are changing. Do not try to get to this trailhead after a recent rain. The road will likely be impassable!

Solitude: Amazing. Five hours of hiking and we didn't see another hiker.    

I'm continuously amazed at the amount of lush green trees in the Superstition mountain range where there is perennial water. There are plenty of Sycamore and Cottonwoods along this route. This is another fine hike to take during the fall while the leaves are changing. There are a good amount of grazing cattle here, some with sharp horns. Give the nice cows a wide birth.

This hike starts next to the Revis Mountain School. Follow the marked signs for the Campaign Trail #256. This trail takes you around the private school and back to the creek. The trail follows the perennial creek, meeting the Revis gap trail after 0.7 miles. Stay left on the Campaign Creek trail. The trail crosses the creek a few times, but keeping your feet dry should be no problem.

After 2.7 miles, you will reach the Pinto Creek Trail Junction. It is tough to find the right junction, so you automatically stay right again and continue another mile down Horrell creek to Brushy Spring.

Return by the same route. 

[View of Campaign Creek]

return to top...