Searching for Wildflowers

It was the tail end of May 2019 when Rob and I ventured onto Workman Creek Road for the first time. This off-road trail located in Tonto National Forest completely surpassed our expectations!

During the first quarter of that year, Arizona experienced atypical weather conditions. This enhanced Workman Creek’s beauty with flowing waterfalls, vibrant greenery, and mountainside wildflowers.

Disclosure: Before we get into this post, we believe in transparency, as an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. This article contains Amazon affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, we will be paid a small commission at no extra cost to you, which helps run the site. Thank you for the support!

As I mentioned above, Arizona’s weather was really showing out! In February, a cold front blew through Cave Creek and the surrounding areas leaving behind a blanket of snow! It was a remarkable sight to see in the desert!

Cooler temperatures than usual enveloped the Phoenix Valley. It was a chilly and wet winter. Many predicted these weather patterns would set the scene for a colorful, abundant wildflower season.

Come springtime, there was an incredible wildflower super bloom. It had been a while since we hit dirt, so we were keen to have some outdoor fun!

When we finally had the time to head out for a bit of nature therapy, we traveled to our typical spots around Central Arizona to see flowers.

Unfortunately, it was too late. We were disappointed once we realized we had missed most of nature’s grand displays.

Eager to still see some of the colorful blossoms that year, I searched through a book dedicated to photographing wildflowers throughout the Grand Canyon State called Wild in Arizona: Photographing Arizona’s Wildflowers – A Guide to When, Where & How by Paul Gill and Collen Miniuk-Sperry. 

Note: This book is helpful for learning simple tips about wildflower photography and finding excellent hiking and off-road areas. Check it out on Amazon.

Upon browsing through the book’s pages, photos of lush shrubbery adorned by yellow Columbines along a stream immediately caught our attention. It was a gorgeous shot of Workman Creek. You would have thought it was a photograph of Hawaii!

The book stated that wildflowers flourished in this location from June to July. On the cusp of Workman Creek’s blooming season, we immediately planned a day trip to visit this Eastern Arizona trail in hopes of finding some of Mother Nature’s magic.

Scenic Drive to Workman Creek Road

With a two and a half hour drive ahead us, we set off to Workman Creek Road early on a Sunday morning. Embarking from Phoenix, we took US 60 East towards Globe. As we headed to the highway, we relished the pristine weather conditions.

White fluffy clouds were sprinkled across the blue sky, the temperature was a pleasant 75 degrees and we saw a gentle breeze ruffling the palm tree’s fronds. The weather forecast called for light showers throughout the day.

Once we hit the town of Superior, we stopped at Circle K. We filled up the truck’s tank and enjoyed a slice of pizza. (It was pretty good for gas station food!) We continued east through the Queen Creek Tunnel.

As we emerged from the passage, we were greeted by towering canyon mountains that hugged the highway. From this point, we drove about 20 miles to Highway 188, then proceeded to Highway 288.

Around the 4.5 mile mark, we cruised over a truss bridge that overlooked the Salt River Canyon. Constructed in 1920, this bridge is “one of the earliest bridges built after Arizona became a state,” per the Arizona Department of Transportation.

Note: This location offers gorgeous views at sunrise and sunset. Also, just before reaching the bridge, there is a turn-off road that leads directly down to the Salt River.

About two miles after the bridge, just past Cherry Creek Road (Forest Road 203), we spotted a Crested Saguaro on the right-hand side! Of course, we pulled over to get a better view of this unique cactus.

It was evident that others had the same idea because a well-traveled path led up to a location with a stunning vista of Four Peaks Mountain and Roosevelt Lake.

Note: If you venture up this small slope, watch your steps! The brush provides the perfect hiding spot for snakes.

Desertscape to Lush Forest

We continued on to Workman Creek Road also known as Forest Road 487. We had driven about 15 miles from the crested cactus, when Rob noticed in the rearview mirror that the skies had darkened. We could feel the temperature dropping.

In the distance, we saw black clouds hovering above a mountain range, releasing streams of rain. Petrichor filled the air and tickled our noses!

As we proceeded on Highway 288, also known as Desert to Pine Road, the highway meandered upwardly as the landscape transformed from cacti to ponderosa trees, holding true to its name.

At this point, the rain had caught up with us, and a drizzle covered our truck’s windshield. From the side of the road, we saw several small streams flowing down from the forested hillside.

We finally reached Workman Creek’s trailhead! Posted on the side of the unpaved road was an interpretive sign showcasing a map of the vicinity. It also featured a safety warning about mine shafts, tunnels, and picking up rocks.

Between the 1950s to late 1970s, the area was a uranium mining district! It was interesting to know that such gorgeous scenery concealed possible danger! Note to self: Don’t take any rocks home. They may be radioactive.

Wildflowers and Waterfalls

As we wheeled onto Forest Road 487, our anticipation bubbled up with excitement to explore this Gila County gem. The dirt trail was flanked by various species of tall trees and bright green shrubs.

Rob rolled down the windows, and nature’s sweet, woody scent rushed inside the truck’s cab. After our trip, we contacted the Tonto National Forest Service to find out what type of trees occupied the area.

They shared with us that we could find a variety of deciduous trees such as Walnut, Sycamore, Alder, Narrowleaf Cottonwood, Oaks (Gabel, Arizona White, Emory), New Mexico Locust, and Choke Cherry along the creek bottom and banks.

Due to forest disturbance patterns, Douglas Fir, Ponderosa Pine, and White Fir have also made this area their home.

Hidden behind a curtain of greenery, we heard the sounds of rippling water that harmoniously intertwined with the rumble of our truck’s exhaust. As we journeyed forward, we saw Workman Creek on our right!

It was a lovely sight to see rushing water cascading over stones and deadwood resting on the stream’s bed. We were eager to find a spot to pull over the truck so we could get a closer look at the creek.

About 1.5 miles from the trailhead, just off the left side of the road, we were surprised to see a small waterfall streaming over a ledge of rocks covered with moss!

As we drove on, we were happy to see two day-use areas along the trail called Creekside and Cascade.

These sites offered an easy, clear path to the creek’s shoreline. After exploring each area, we continued on the trail. The road turned into a steep shelf road and the terrain became rocky.

This was just before we crossed the Workman Creek Bridge. Beyond this point, a high clearance vehicle is recommended.

We marveled at the towering cliffs on our left as we crossed the bridge. Soon after, we approached Workman Creek Falls. This overlook offered beautiful views of the forest canyon and a 200-foot high waterfall!

Our game plan was to drive to the top of the trail to Aztec Peak which has an elevation of 7748 ft. This is the highest point in the Sierra Ancha Wilderness.

However, that all depended on the weather and the trail’s condition. As we ascended, it began to trickle again, and the road became slightly muddy.

We saw two SUVs traveling down Forest Road 487. As we got closer to them, the driver in the second vehicle waved us down.

We stopped immediately and spoke with the fellow off-roader. He told us that the drive down from the peak was extremely muddy and slippery.

He explained that his buddy had almost slid off the shelf road edge. We thanked him for the warning and proceeded with caution.

Up to that point, our truck’s 4WD and mud tires were holding up, so we kept heading up. We were glad we did because we were delighted to see a mountain slope of beautiful New Mexico Raspberry wildflowers. There were so many of them!

Note: Depending on the season, the area may have wildflowers along the creek and trail, including Cutleaf Coneflower, Western Wallflower, Scarlet Hedgenettle, Sacred Datura, and Woods Rose.

After admiring the lovely flowers, we continued upwards. We reached a section of the trail where the views opened up and a light fog drifted in above the treetops.

At that point, the muddy road became very slick. We knew we were close to the top but decided to focus on safety first.

We turned around and headed back down to the trailhead. There was always next weekend!

The following week, we were back at it again. The weather was perfect, and the weather forecast mentioned clear skies. We fell so in love with the area from our initial visit that we made it a camping weekend.

When we arrived at the Workman Creek Trailhead, we agreed not to make any stops. It was a straight shot up to Aztec Peak! It felt incredible as we rolled up to the summit. We immediately hopped out of the truck and explored!

In the distance, we could see Four Peaks Mountain and Roosevelt Lake. Cumulus clouds glided quickly across the sky! As each wind gust rolled in, the back of our tee-shirts flapped in the air. The strong winds reminded us of the power of nature.

I inhaled deeply and spanned the gorgeous panorama of the wilderness. The crisp air smelled so refreshing to me.

On the other hand, Rob’s first deep inhalation overwhelmed his allergies and he started to cough. Not to worry, he quickly adjusted to the fresh air.

There was a fenced in tower overlook. We were bummed to see the fence around it. It would have been amazing to see the views from an even higher vantage point!

Despite the disappointment of not being able to access the tower overlook, we were still in awe of the beautiful landscape.

We decided to find an area close by to set up our camp. A very short drive from the main summit was a cool spot some call Flintstone’s Living Room because of the sandstone rocks arranged into furniture that resembles recliners and tables.

It was a great weekend. We had a wonderful time exploring the location and taking in the incredible scenery. The views were breathtaking, and it was an experience we will never forget. Happy Trails!

EXPLORE

Please keep in mind that hiking and off-roading can be dangerous if you are not prepared. Please research trails thoroughly before heading out. Always seek out the most recent information because trail conditions can change!

Directions to Trailhead: Departing from Phoenix, head to US 60 East towards Globe. Turn left on State Route 188, then drive 14.7 miles to State Route 288. Turn east onto State Route 288, also known as Desert to Pine Road. Continue for 25.5 miles until you reach Workman Creek Road (Forest Road 487) on the right-hand side. Unpaved Road.  High-clearance vehicle recommended.

Closures: Workman Creek Road (Forest Road 487) above the Workman Creek Falls Recreation Site is closed annually from December 15th to March 31st.

Contact:  Payson Ranger District
Tel: (928) 474-7900 | Website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/tonto