Arizona Trailblazers Hiking Club
Lower Fish Creek Canyon Day Hike

when	December 5, 2021
where?	Superstition Wilderness
the hike	Fish Creek Canyon would be world-famous if it were anywhere but Arizona! You’ll find spectacular rock formations, sycamores, cottonwoods and desert mountain scenery that will curl your camera.     We’ll start from Fish Creek Vista overlook, take AZ-88 to the one-lane bridge where early travelers encountered the notorious highway bandit, Hacksaw Tom. An exhibit of artifacts found in a cave, including Tom’s sawed-off shotgun, is currently on display at the Superstition Mountain Museum in Apache Junction.     After we do the cave, we will continue on to the “tunnel” and the hidden trail. If water is flowing in the tunnel, then that is the point where the "C" hikers will turn around. If there is no water in the tunnel then we will have lunch just beyond, and that will be the turnaround point for the "C".     The "B" level will continue on the hidden trail and up Fish Creek a couple of miles and then we will turn-around also. Lower Fish Creek has water the year around, so we may see bighorn sheep, deer, and other animals. The deep water pools have frogs and fish.     I would like to stop at Tortilla Flat on the way back for food. I will need someone to lead the "C" group back to the cars.     You need standard hiking gear. The "B" hikers should have a hiking pole. If you are afraid of heights, then skip the "B". 2 liters for "C" and 3 liters of water for "B".
distance	5 to 9 miles
time	4-8 hours
EC	+-1000' elevation change
elevations	3279' (Wilderness Boundary) to 2149' (Picnic Area)
on trail	100% "C" 80% — "B"; Apache Trail Highway (AZ 88)
rating	"C" or "B"     Rate yourself as a hiker.
dogs allowed	no
cost	Sharing gas expenses with the driver. The club also allows voluntary contributions of $5 per non-member.
weather	Tortilla Flat
meet	7:00 AM at Home Depot in Mesa on the southeast corner of Power and US 60. We’ll arrange car-pooling from there. Directions from Phoenix: •  Go east on the Superstition Freeway (US 60) to Superstition Springs Blvd., exit 187. • Take that exit, turn right and go ½ mile east, across Power Road. • Turn left, toward Home Depot, at the second driveway. • Park in the southwest corner of the Home Depot lot, behind Burger King.
drive	•  Take the Superstition Freeway, US 60, east to Idaho Road, exit 196. • Turn left and go north on the Apache Trail Highway (Arizona 88), past Tortilla Flat to Fish Creek Vista, just after the pavement ends. • Cars can easily drive this road.

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