Deer Creek Trail, Matzazal Mountains
December 18, 1999

We met at McDonalds on that chilly morning in December, the last shopping weekend before Christmas. While others were rising early to be the first at the doors of the mall, we tried to be the first at the Deer Creek Trailhead in the Mazatzal Mountains. We were not, however, the first to arrive. A troop of Girl Scouts led by two fellow Motorolans, Don and Kathryn Harrison, were there preparing for an overnighter in the same area.  Our group consisted of: Tom, Jeannie and Sandy Van Lew, Ted Tenny, Chuck Parsons, Rudy Emrick, Steve Rockwell, Elaine Cobos and Ben Velasquez.

We began our hike in high desert on an abandoned jeep road with views of the Mazatzals, Four Peaks, Gisela and surrounding areas.  Soon the trail headed down to the creek and eventually we were among the Cottonwoods and Sycamores that grow in the lush riparian area of Deer Creek. Occasionally we would find water, sometimes running, sometimes just pools with yellowed leaves dotting the top of the pool. We came upon what appeared to be the remains of an old homestead or at least a windmill and water trough for the free range cattle.

Further up the trail, we came upon the grave of  83-year-old Davey Gowan.  Davey Gowan was a Scotsman who homesteaded land by Gisela in 1874.  The territory was still dangerous then, as evidenced by the fact that his partner had to watch for Indians while he dug and orchard irrigation ditch.  Later, Gowan heard of Tonto Natural Bridge, the world's largest limestone arch.  He went there in 1881 to develop it as a tourist site, but later gave it to relatives from Scotland.  Finally, in 1916, he built a cabin on Deer Creek and tended a garden and an orchard while working local mining claims. 

We then began a slow climb, with some of the trail reminding us of the Barnhardt trail just up the road a few miles, in an area of pine and live oak. We discussed the possibility of hiking up to Mt. Peeley, given a few days! There was also the possibility of making it a loop hike, however a number of folks in the group hoped to make an early day of it, as there were plans for meeting friends and family in Celebration of the Christmas season.  About noon we found a suitable stopping point overlooking the canyon, sat and ate our lunches.  We returned the way we came, waving to the Girl Scouts and wishing them a good night and happy holidays.  

The above listed trip reports--documenting day hikes, backpacking trips, and car camping trips organized and arranged by the Arizona Trailblazers Hiking Club, Inc.--are meant to be more of a record of the various events performed by the hiking club and are not meant to be the only guide for anyone else wishing to do the same hike or backpacking trip. Instead, they should only be used as a supplemental to an official guidebook that addresses that specific hike or backpacking trip. Natural changes (floods, fires, windstorms, etc.) can occur and change and alter the landscape. The Forest Service sometimes changes the routing of a trail. Trail junction signs can be removed or altered. For these reasons, the hiking club's trip reports and even the official guidebooks may no longer be totally accurate in describing the trail and its layout. There is always the possibility, however remote, of a hiker sustaining harm or injury while on any hike, no matter how safe it may initially seem. The Arizona Trailblazer's Hiking Club, Inc., as well as any of its officers, directors, representatives, and designated hike leaders, disclaims any liability or responsibility for accidents, injuries, damages, or losses whatsoever that may occur to anyone using the trip reports that are available on our website. The responsibility for good health and safety while hiking, backpacking, or camping, ultimately rests with the individual.