Sierra Ancha Wilderness
We returned to Sierra Ancha the second weekend in September to see how the summer rains affect the many streams in this area. Turns out that like most of the streams coming off the Mogollon Rim, Reynolds and Workman Creek maintain fairly constant water levels -- and consisently frigid temperatures!
The area known as "The Tubs" is 26 miles north of the junction with Highway 88 just below the Workman Creek Bridge on Route 288. We found the water level about the same as in May, but much clearer.
At mile 28, you can turn onto FR 410 and follow it 3.7 miles until it dead-ends at the trail to Reynolds Creek Falls. This gorgeous trails climbs steeply out of the forest onto a narrow ledge on the face of Center Mountain.
A tough 3.1-mile drive up FR 487 takes you to the top of a spectacular waterfall that spills over a semi-circular cliff. The best way to see the falls, though, is to hike up the creek bed from the campground. At the base of the falls, lean back and admire the diamonds raining from the red cliff 100 feet above your head. The 4WD road, lined with Desert Lupine, continues all the way to the fire tower on Aztec Peak.
We camped on a broad mesa studded with pale gray-green agave, Century plants and juniper bushes and overlooking Roosevelt Reservoir. The panorama above is composed of two separate photos ... taken while sitting on a nest of fire ants ...
David was a little surprised by my rather decadent camping style ...
... but he looks pretty comfortable here! And speaking of comfortable, if you're travelling from Tucson, there's a fabulous bed and breakfast in a converted 1907 schoolhouse in Globe known as "Noftsger Hill Inn." Highly recommended!
We tried to get to Cherry Creek via Board Tree Saddle, but I wouldn't recommend this spur or the north end of Cherry Creek Road to anyone who's not driving a tank. Coming in from the south, we made it as far as Ellison Ranch, where we saw Opuntias blooming in every color from yellow-orange to coral to rust to purple -- including this incredible blood red cholla!
