We met between 7:00 a.m. and 7:30 in the parking lot by Arby’s on Shea Blvd and Hwy 87.  Regrouped at McDonalds in Payson and were at the site by 9:30 and started hiking right around 10:00.  We had 20 hikers sign in: Darleen Lindquist, Pat Schulz, Kim Hackbarth, Mike Wargel, Robyn Thompson, Mike Mendelson, Bill Foster, Craig Baker, Wendy Valentine, Joe Wozwick, Pamela Caleskuzel, Peggy Giovanniello, Chuck Giovanniello, Sam Sonive, Anne Lewis, Barb Brackett, Tracey Pastore, Elaine Cobos and Rudy Arrendondo. 

On the drive just up to Payson the brittlebush and poppies were blooming along the roadside.  An absolutely beautiful sight to see. 

The upper trail to the springs follows a winding, steep, dusty, hot old jeep road two miles down past an old gravel pit. The trail turns south and goes a half mile to Fossil Springs. 

The habitat is supported by springs issuing over a million gallons of water an hour. The springs got its name from the exposed limestone, which contain 350 million-year-old marine fossils, which none of were able to spot.  Over 30 species of trees and shrubs provide habitant for 100 kinds of birds. 

The creek was running rapidly with all of the rain and snow run-off.  The waterfalls at the dam were spectacular.  We even had a brave soul that went for a swim in the pool by the falls. 

The weather was in the low 60’s, which made it a pleasant hike. 

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.