Book Christopher Creek Lodge, Payson on Tripadvisor: See 410 traveler reviews, 228 candid photos, and great deals for Christopher Creek Lodge, ranked #1 of 16 specialty lodging in Payson and rated 4.5 of 5 at Tripadvisor. This is a mandatory portage unless it changes again or the water level is very high. His boat was wider than the slot causing him to flip and get stuck upside down in the slot. The Tonto gauge is way downstream and therefore a very rough indicator of the flow. The first particularly notable drop is Roy's Drop (where one of the members of the 1st D attempt broke his ankles). I think according to my count, this was the 6th drop. Dean Shields is the Tribute Pioneer ... “We Would love to have pictures posted by anyone that has taken photos in Christopher Creek. A general rule to go by is Payson minus 8-10 degrees, but conditions often vary. In short, look for higher flows on the gauge in the early season (Jan, Feb) than in the later season (Mar). This creek flows into Tonto Creek and that flows into Roosevelt Lake, ... Christopher Creek Gorge Change: The road had water running over it and rocks were reasonably covered, but it by no means looked overflowing. We are a short 90-minute drive from Phoenix. The river constructs again at the exit of the crux gorge and drops down a twisting 20 foot falls into a pool. Some teamwork moving boats out of the eddy isn't a bad idea. Do you run trips or logistics for this river and want to get listed? Donny's drop is a perfect 15 footer that can be run just about anywhere pool to pool. Based on photos and site map, it does not appear that the parking slab length is long enough to back in a trailer. I suspect this may look better at some water levels than others, but we all walked it. A 8 foot entrance lands onto a rock shelf, twists left and drops at least 20 foot down vertical spout. Between 2017 and 2018 the population of Christopher Creek, AZ grew from 86 to 125, a 45.3% increase and its median household income grew from $36,974 to $60,375, a 63.3% increase. The highway is now divided and closer to the canyon. A record-setting snow it was not, however, but it was a good one. Christopher Creek Campground runs along the banks of Christopher Creek, near Payson, Arizona. Hi Joel, We had a 4/4 success rate on this drop with only a couple paddle smacks against the left wall. Anything our community should know before heading out to Christopher Creek? i have a friendly boxer dog that i am interested in taking up there. I know this place books up fast and want to reserve the group spot. Many folks like to bring dogs to this beautiful riparian canyon. Doesn't matter how old the pics are or how recent, we just want to pay Tribute to an amazing time in our lives.” The Tribute is a Private … The summer months are cool with nights that might require a sweater. For access, head into the city of Christopher Creek and turn north onto Forest Road 284 to reach Sea Canyon. Christopher Creek is a stream located just 11.4 miles from Sun Valley, in Gila County, in the state of Arizona, United States, near Bear Flat, AZ. The next drop is difficult to scout. To portage, catch the small swirling eddy on river left, negotiate the cliff to the large rock outcropping, at which point the remainder of the portage is relatively straightforward. Here’s what is not allowed: Igniting, building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire, including charcoal and briquettes, outside a fire structure that is provided by the Forest Service within a designated area. Creekside Cabin Rentals (Cabins 1-6) Cabins #1-6 of Creekside Cabin Rentals sleep up to 6 and feature 1 bedroom with a queen size bed, an upstairs loft with 1 queen bed and 2 … Based on this we guessed it was runnable. Skip to main content. A small narrow slot down the center leads into more marginal drops. I just tried to call the contact # for Christopher Creek the recording said to leave a message and they’d return the call. The following fish species are often found on this run. At the moderate flows we had,  the run was completely pool drop. Thanks. Thanks! The Christopher Creek campground put-in is located approximately 20 minutes east of Payson off of Hwy 260. christopher creek 10514 GIFs. § 261.52(d). The Access Fund and Concerned Climbers of AZ are working with the Tonto Natl Forest to maintain access. A: Christopher Creek has it’s own unique climate. All rights reserved | Site Map | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Terms and Conditions, https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/tonto/alerts-notices/?aid=58436. Most of these are close to the creek, are large sites and have nice shade. Features. Our favorite campsites at Christopher Creek campground are 5, 9, 10, 13, 22, 25, 27, 28, 33. Christopher Creek is the ideal getaway for those of us who enjoy a true flyfishing outing once in a while. As the horizon lines begin to loom larger and gorge narrows, a clean 15 footer marks the entrance of the crux set of rapids and the entrance into the heart of the box canyon. The last drop exiting the gorge, just past a little stream that comes in from river right appeared to have been run in the 1st D (based on photos), but it did not go during our run due to a boulder in the final drop that the entire creek flow passed under. At almost 6000 ft. it can occasionally get a bit warm, but usually the weather is fantastic. Christopher Creek sold out? You can make a reservation for a Christopher Creek campsite 6 months prior to the day of arrival. Christoper Creek has about 12-13 sites where you don’t have to back in your trailer. After the 15 footer, a massive horizon line appears. On the first descent of this drop a bad piton resulted in severely broken ankles, a difficult egress from the canyon and a life changing injury. Public Campgrounds | There's an excellent write-up on coloradokayaking.com about the full first descent in the mid 2000s. Hello, we are planning a weekend trip for the first weekend of June. Sites 1-2, 14-22, 24, 28, and 34-43. We all ran left, but I gave it a careless scout and hit the 10 foot horizon line in the wrong place. 36 C.F.R. Phone: (928)474-7901 Driving Directions. Our descent, at a brisk, but not rushed pace took somewhere around 5 hours. Nestled in the tall Ponderosa Pines at 5960 feet and overlooking Christopher Creek, you will enjoy the mild spring and fall temperatures. Below the confluence with Tonto Creek, the walls tighten up again as the creek passes through a fun but short mini gorge. Join. Arizona Fishing Locations … Christopher Creek Lots are a series of picturesque lots overlooking Chistopher Creek with docks to deep water access for larger boats. That appears to be the case. The only way to get a good look is to commit to the river left eddy just above the drop. Instead of putting in here, we attempted to get permission to put in at the Boy Scout camp. Tribute to Christopher Creek Arizona has 1,318 members. They are not technical ‘pull through’, but more of a parallel parking (to campsite). Tonto National Forest (Christopher Creek) is in a Stage 1 Fire Restrictions (extreme) – so no campfires allowed. This is one of those drops that we kind of wanted to walk upon inspection, but the portaged looked less pleasant than just rolling the dice on the entrance. Staying upright through the tight entrance slot is the key to success. Enter keeping your boat straight and upright or take the easy portage line on the right. There is a reasonable portage that requires a small bit of downclimbing on river right. Christopher Creek Lots For Sale. The gate is only open seasonally, but it is a short walk down the road to the creek. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. We plan to come July 18. Most people in the city own their home, with 88% of households being occupied by owners. The hosts were very helpful,informative and checked up on us frequently and made sure we have plenty of wood and the camp ground was clean, Hello, i will be heading to Christopher creek campgrounds next Sunday, wanted to know if fires are still allowed? Christopher Creek Lodge is rated "Fabulous" by our guests. Access has changed since this 2001 description. Four of us ran this in March of 2013. Some of them might have gone, but the quality was low and the chance of getting slammed against a wall high. Christopher Creek is a census-designated place in northern Gila County in the state of Arizona.Situated at the base of the Mogollon Rim, the community lies at an elevation of 5,961 feet (1,817 m), and is located approximately 23.5 miles (37.82 km) northeast of Payson, just off SR 260.The population as of the 2010 U.S. Census … A hiker's adventure will range between 1 to 2.5 miles depending on where you park and desire to explore in the creek. Hi Chris, We'd love to hear about your adventure. Can you tell me how close they are to each other (approx). Christopher Creek is a city in Arizona. We have not heard about Christopher Creek, but hopefully it too will open later in May. Hi Jackie, There are numerous 8-10 foot drops where the bedrock often constricts the flow through a slot, forming surprisingly clean drops. As one of the smallest communities in Arizona, Christopher Creek is a remote town that falls outside all of Arizona's largest metropolitan areas. I will be there on October 12. I see all of the reservable campsites are reserved for the first weekend in June, so you can expect it the first-come, first-serve sites to be popular. 2.2K likes. Q: Do any units have air conditioning? If you don't see a fish that you know lives on this river, please login and associate that fish species. Lower portions of the cliff jut out to form a long narrow natural sluice with undercut walls that the entire creek is forced through. Christopher Creek is situated southwest of Nassauville. Portage on river right or left, but left seemed easier. What are the best camp sites # to camp at? Hi Ron, It's hard to see from above, so I'd skip the scout and grab the eddy on river left and begin handing off boats. Rainbow trout; Brown trout; Brook trout; External links. I'm just making up names on the theme. Take a look through our photo library, read reviews from real guests and book now with our Price Guarantee. Christoper Creek Campsite 8, 9 and 10 have a parking pad area that allows for a 22-foot Trailer/RV. Visited Christopher Creek Campground lately? Our first grapes were planted in 1972, with the winery opening up shortly thereafter, in 1974. You’ll find plenty of hiking trails, mountain bike riding, horseback riding, … Order Number: 03-12-00-20-394 Went into effect June 25th through July 31st which seems to prohibit camping in the campground. Christopher Creek, AZ Directions {{::location.tagLine.value.text}} Sponsored Topics. Campground amenities include drinking water (with water spigot) and vault toilets. River and Whitewater information for Christopher Creek - Christopher Creek - United States Arizona . Heading West from the put-in on Hwy 260 toward Payson, follow the well marked signs for Bear Flat Campgrounds onto FR206A south until you reach the creek. This video is unavailable. Fortunately my nose caved in and my bulkhead did its job to soften the blow. That may change later in the summer depending on conditions. Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three (3) feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of any flammable material. I’d say Christopher Creek campsites are about 50-60 feet apart. The creek is split into a right or left channel by a jumble of boulders in the center. The right line has less water but is relatively clean. There are several options if you don't want to the run the main drop. The first very obvious horizon line signals the entrance to the gorge. Hi Chris, Boof the two ledges on this double drop and avoid getting pushed into the left wall after the first ledge. Are Pets welcome? The crux drop comes in the heart of the canyon. Our first time and we are excited. It's ideally located northeast of Payson, far away from civilization's hectic pace. For a one time fee, it will continually scan for availability on the dates you want to camp. I didn't give it a sufficient scout and ended up dropping the 10 foot lip completely vertical and taking a nasty piton that dented in my bow, but fortunately left me unharmed. In 2013, it was a mandatory portage. or call 928-478-4300. It's a blast if you like jumping. Hi Susan, We would like to come up camping for a week in early September. If possible, I recommend arriving Friday before noon. Christopher Creek Real Estate. Only a 2 minute walk from Christopher Creek, our cabins are a sanctuary to those seeking to escape the hustle of daily life to the tranquility of nature. Can someone tell me what the status is on Christopher Creek campground’s opening? If you have any question about specific properties, please call Susan Keown at 928-978-2308. The left entrance requires a sketchy move against an undercut in the cliff wall at the entrance. This is the first horizon line at the entrace to the canyon. Christopher Creek Campgrounds Access, Payson, Arizona 85541. I recommend you give them a call at: 928-468-7135. Christopher Creek Residential Internet Coverage. Running this mid-late March off snowmelt, the proportion of the melt at the Tonto gauge was significantly weighted towards the upper elevation creeks, meaning that Christopher Creek was running with a lower gauge reading (we had about 500-600cfs on the gauge). Perhaps the area's only drawback is its vulnerability to droughts, like the recent severe dry spell during which many streams-including Christopher Creek … This is one of the best rapids in the canyon. We did learn there are water spigots at Christopher Creek campground. Other campgrounds in the area include Sharp Creek, Upper Tonto Creek and Ponderosa. The drop terminates a pool deep in a walled in gorge with little options for escape. You must send a depth tester down on rappel first to make sure your landing … With that said, it might be a good idea to call the USFS to confirm: 928-468-7135. Required fields marked *, Home | 03-16-2013 - Scott ready to exit the steepest part of the gorge. This may be because a combination of dry conditions and wind. Quality drops continue, including a ridiculously fun triple drop with an autoboof down the middle. There are 27 first-come first-serve campsites including 3, 4 and 18 to 43. Legal. None of us had been down before. There's a sneak/seal launch on river left that looks better with more water. The high elevation of the campground – 5640 feet – is responsible for the crisp air and scenic views making this … Check flight prices and hotel availability for your visit. We ran the next drop in the right channel. Lastly, there's a reasonable portage on river right and down a gully, but it requires sacrificing a beautiful 20 footer that exits the crux section. 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