These trails are a total of 5.5 miles (one way) and are rated as moderate. They see moderate use from May through October.

Fish Creek is in a narrow forested canyon. Fish Creek Access Trail drops into the canyon from a high bench overlooking the Fish Creek and Black River drainages. Once you're on the floor of the canyon, you'll be following Fish Creek through some gorgeous fishing spots into an area that looks like it was struck by a tornado (and the rumor is that it was).

In 1970, maintenance of the Fish Creek Access Trail was discontinued by the Forest Service because of lacking funds and interest. For a number of years the trail was kept up by ranchers who used it to move cattle between Fish Creek and Fish Bench. In 1990-91, the Sierra Club and the American Hiking Society rebuilt the entire 5.5 miles of trail from the Fish Creek Access Trailhead to the Black River.

The trout in Fish Creek are a population of pure, native Apache trout. Arizona Game and Fish constructed a barrier across the lower creek to keep out the non-native rainbow trout from the stocked waters of the Black River.

Elevation: 8,400' to 6,800'

Access: Follow Forest Road 24 from Buffalo Crossing to Forest Road 83. Turn west on FR 83 and go about 3 miles to FR 83A. Or follow FR 24 from Hannagan Meadow to FR 83 and then go west about 3 miles. FR 83A turns right, goes about 1.4 miles to a lesser dirt road which then forks to the left. Go another 0.5 miles past an old corral to the Fish Creek Access Trailhead. Fish Creek itself is about 0.6 miles from the trailhead.

USGS Maps: Hoodoo