Hidden Treasures of the Sierra Ancha Wilderness

Uncle Sam has a special place in his heart for folks who are willing to work for free...and with spots as delightful as Coon Creek he’ll never want for volunteers. On February 7, a warm Saturday afternoon, seven AWC stewards and their intrepid trip leader lopped brush and mended water-bars on the Coon Spring Trail (#124) in the Tonto National Forest’s Sierra Ancha Wilderness.

The trail, just south of Young, AZ, drops about 500 feet over two miles into the Coon Creek drainage, where the gurgling sun-dappled creek served as a soothing lunchtime companion. After lunch the labor began in earnest as the group headed back up trail. “We might as well cut this back four feet,” said Brian, “Otherwise we’d only have to come back and do it again next year.” And what a terrible outcome that’d be! I thought to myself sarcastically.

The day’s hard work was amply rewarded (and I do mean amply) with Brian’s posole pie, a Dutch oven delicacy based on the traditional Mexican hominy stew.

After a crisp star-filled night, Sunday included a double treat, courtesy of former Sierra Ancha Wilderness Ranger David Klingbeil. Dave led the group on a pair of scree scrambles up to a 700-year-old ruin and down to the bottom of a towering waterfall—two more gems and one treasure of a wilderness.

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