Christopher Creek Gorge

Christopher Creek Gorge, aka the Box, would be a wonderful spot for a picnic lunch. It’s also an exciting place just to play around.

The trail begins just off a dirt parking lot. The path itself is not always clear, but the way to the Box is easy to find. Keep your eyes open for the unofficial trail markers – someone has spray painted the word “BOX” on the pines about every 100 feet.

Not far into the hike, the trail comes to a clearing and looks as though it scatters in all directions. Take the clearest trail to the right.

The first part of the hike is through pine trees on a dirt trail. As it nears the box canyon, it becomes rocky and loose.

The view switches for forest to rocky cliffs in only a few steps, and it’s a beautiful view.

For most of the way down into the canyon, the trail keeps a safe enough distance from the edge, although it is rocky and narrow. It offers plenty of spots to get a little closer and peer down into the greenish pools below, though.

There are also lots of places along the cliffs to stop for a bit and have a picnic or simply take in the beauty.

The trail mostly fades out at the bottom when it meets Christopher Creek.

We climbed up the other side just to check out the views. If you go, you’ll want to do the same. Seeing the rocky walls climb out of the pools below is spectacular.

More adventurous types can rock hop along the creek into the canyon. A fallen tree makes a nice bridge at one point. Some visitors even take a dip in the pools. (The water is somewhat muddy and was still cold in late May.)

Reversing course and hiking back up the canyon is the most strenuous exercise of the trip.

We ventured off trail a few other times, acting like a couple kids on summer break. (We didn’t bring a picnic, so we had to do something with our time, right?)

To get to the hike, take the Beeline Highway (87) to Payson. Turn left at Highway 260 and go east about 19 miles. The dirt parking lot is off to the right shortly after mile marker 271.

This hike was first featured June 2002 and revised February 2007.