Tonto Creek at Hells Gate 5-6-23

Bear Flats I assume?

Those are some dandy creek trout!

RickWild said:

Bear Flats I assume?

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Yep, Sorry

Good morning to all-
Those are some fine trout- ought to eat just fine.
When we were out there in your country, we took that road ONCE down to the creek. that's about as vertically challenging a road as I care to take in a regular street vehicle. Beautiful country and lots of critters to see, but that road is a beast.

you all keep well and stay safe- Ed

Dave, I'm guessing you fished right where the road crosses the creek? The trails heading downstream are pretty rough too but there are some beautiful, deep pools if one hikes back in there. Wow, those are some beauties!

I've probably shared with you that my wife and I towed a vintage Coleman pop-up down that road around 2011. I was going too fast, hit a deep hole, and broke a leaf spring on the camper. I only had my bag of hand tools with me but managed to get the leaf spring off, took it into Payson, found a buddy of mine at an AA meeting and he referred me to a local welder who did a great job of welding it back together and we got out of there the next day, I sold that pop-up soon after. I will tell you though that my wife and actually considered taking the plates and tags off that camper and setting fire to it! 😁

That's a really nice area. I need to get back there myself someday.

Peaceful area for sure, I went downstream about a 100-200yards to first- second big calm, deep pool and caught from those pools, after that it was too rough for me. The big pool at the crossing was where I caught the smaller ones. That road is prolly the worst road in AZ other then maybe fossil creek or the road that goes up to Christopher mountain from the bottom, LOL.... Its bad. And if going to FAST, you may shimmy off the road to a 2000 ft drop off, join the other wrecks at the bottom.

I broke a set of leaf's on the long lake rd going to an elk hunt, what a PITA, Strapped axle to front of the A frame and to trailer bumper and ratcheted it tight, stuck a 2x4 between spring base and axle, strapped that in, drove real slow rest of trip, We made it home 10 days later, Like you, replaced bad spring and SOLD trailer shortly after that trip. Those trout are the payoff for braving that dang RD.

Be a Great spot for an AHT campout.

bearfoot1 said:

Peaceful area for sure, I went downstream about a 100-200yards to first- second big calm, deep pool and caught from those pools, after that it was too rough for me. The big pool at the crossing was where I caught the smaller ones. That road is prolly the worst road in AZ other then maybe fossil creek or the road that goes up to Christopher mountain from the bottom, LOL.... Its bad. And if going to FAST, you may shimmy off the road to a 2000 ft drop off, join the other wrecks at the bottom.

I broke a set of leaf's on the long lake rd going to an elk hunt, what a PITA, Strapped axle to front of the A frame and to trailer bumper and ratcheted it tight, stuck a 2x4 between spring base and axle, strapped that in, drove real slow rest of trip, We made it home 10 days later, Like you, replaced bad spring and SOLD trailer shortly after that trip. Those trout are the payoff for braving that dang RD.

Be a Great spot for an AHT campout.

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I've heard the road between long lake and ashurst is the worst road in AZ lol.

What is the definition of "road"?

Good question rk, I think we need a discussion on that Subject ??? Bear Flat road aint it. Nor is any road on top of Anderson Mesa, LOL.... those are some kidney jarring rocky roads there !!!

I think I might need to see a thread with some pictures of the worst roads we cross from year to year. I bet there are some absolute nightmares out there!

Ryan S said:

I think I might need to see a thread with some pictures of the worst roads we cross from year to year. I bet there are some absolute nightmares out there!

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nah. I just park the truck and walk in if the road gets that bad

Savageman2506 said:

nah. I just park the truck and walk in if the road gets that bad

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Me too man. 4WD is to get OUT of trouble, not into it!

BOYS, Thats what a quad is for, park at first rock and unload, A OLD Mans perspective !!! 😁

I nominate the road from Happy Jack into the Maxwell Trail trailhead as one of the worst in AZ. I've actually driven a small Scion into there a couple times to hike down to West Clear Creek for an overnight hike and fly fishing. I took the road VERY slowly and still had some scrapes that I thought for sure would tear the oil pan open.

@bearfoot1 I know the pools you fished at Bear Flat very well, a little further downstream there are even larger and deeper pools. I've considered buying a lot to build on down there, but crazy expensive and I'm not sure how much I'd like making that drive, and you'd definitely be stranded there in a winter storm. The cabin just across the creek is gorgeous though, it's a really unique community.

Im curious about the road to bear flats end of may. Taking 5 days off to fish.

The road is steep but in decent shape for dirt. With HOA at the bottom the road is graded occasionally. A car would make it if careful. Not much gravel to spin the tires

@Skorzeny , just take it slow and it's manageable, graded nicely but potholes appear from the weather.

Nice catch Rick, I'll bet those will be delicious off the smoker!

I'm glad to hear that camping is prohibited now. Last time we camped there it was packed and the public was loud and trashing the place, I'm sure it drove the citizens of that beautiful community nuts!.

A small fire in area could and would block the residents from escaping. Im not sad to see its been closed, at least we can still go and fish. Im sure the residents are enforcing the " No Camping "