Horton Springs

Horton Springs Trail is fifteen miles east of Payson.  I've driven past this area so many times without stopping and had no idea the beauty that resides there.  It is at the Upper Tonto Recreation Area; picnic spots, camping, hiking, and places to play in the creek.  At the start of the trail, there was little or no water in Horton Creek, then suddenly we could hear the fall of water.  The water must go underground at some point because there is pleny of water in Horton Creek.  The area is lush, forested, and verdent.  Other people were playing in the water, but it seemed a little cold for that, although it was almost 80 degrees.  We made it to the springs around lunch time (I forgot our sandwiches in the fridge so we only snacked on pretzels), finding the spring gushing out of a small opening in the rock.  I will definitely come back!

I have no idea what these are.

Minature Niagara

vibrant greens

At Horton Springs