Haigler Creek, Arizona facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Haigler Creek, Arizona
|
|
|---|---|
| Haigler Creek, Arizona | |
.jpg)
View above the creek
|
|
 Haigler Creek, Arizona
Location in Arizona
Haigler Creek, Arizona
Location in the United States
|
|
| Country | United States |
| State | Arizona |
| County | Gila |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.61 sq mi (4.17 km2) |
| • Land | 1.61 sq mi (4.17 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 5,240 ft (1,600 m) |
| Population
(2020)
|
|
| • Total | 39 |
| • Density | 21.73/sq mi (8.39/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-7 (MST (no DST)) |
| Area code(s) | 928 |
| FIPS code | 04-30840 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2582795 |
Haigler Creek is a small community in northern Gila County, Arizona, United States. It's also known as a census-designated place (CDP), which means it's an area the government tracks for population data. Haigler Creek is located high up, at about 5,240 feet (1,597 m) above sea level. It is surrounded by the beautiful Tonto National Forest. In 2020, only 39 people lived here.
Contents
History of Haigler Creek
Haigler Creek gets its name from an early settler named Jacob Russel "Jake" Haigler. He was a pioneer who owned a cattle ranch right along the creek. Jake was born in Missouri in 1836 and later moved west to Arizona to start his ranch.
In September 1905, Jake was riding near the creek when he fell from his mule. He was found unconscious and taken to the nearby town of Young, Arizona for medical help. Sadly, he passed away on September 29, 1905, when he was 69 years old. The area has been named Haigler Creek to remember him.
Geography and Nature
Haigler Creek is a CDP located in northern Gila County, Arizona. It sits at an elevation of 5,240 feet (1,597 m) within the Tonto National Forest. The community is about 11 miles south of Arizona State Route 260. Payson is about 36 miles west by road. The small ranch town of Young, Arizona is 12 miles south.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP covers about 1.61 square miles (4.2 square kilometers) of land. There is no water area. Because there isn't much light pollution here, Haigler Creek is a fantastic spot for stargazing.
The Creek Itself
Haigler Creek is a stream that flows southwest. It eventually joins Tonto Creek, which is part of the larger Salt River system. The creek starts from a natural spring just below the Mogollon Rim. Rain and melting snow also help keep the creek flowing, even during drier times of the year.
Plants and Animals
The area around Haigler Creek is full of different flora (plants) and fauna (animals). Along the creek, you can find trees like Arizona Sycamore, Cottonwood, Boxelder, Willow, and Ash. The surrounding landscape has Ponderosa Pine, Juniper, Pinyon Pine, and Oak trees. Many colorful wildflowers bloom in the meadows and near the creek during warmer months.
The Arizona Game and Fish Department stocks the creek with Rainbow trout and Brown trout. It's also home to many fish species that naturally live there. Haigler Creek is important for different reptiles, amphibians, and birds too. You might see large mammals like Elk, Mule deer, Black Bear, Javelina, Grey Fox, Mountain Lion, and Coyote. You'll also see Cattle grazing. The best time to spot wildlife is in the morning and evening.
Climate and Weather
Haigler Creek has a Mediterranean climate, which means it has warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters. This is because of its elevation, around 5,200 feet (1,585 m).
Summer Weather
In summer, temperatures usually range from the mid-70s to high 80s Fahrenheit (around 24-32°C). Sometimes, it can get to 90°F (32.2°C) or even hotter. During the summer, especially in the late afternoon and early evening, monsoon storms often happen. These storms bring heavy rain, strong winds, thunder, lightning, and sometimes even hail. These thunderstorms help cool things down at night, with temperatures dropping into the 50s Fahrenheit (around 10-15°C).
Winter Weather
Winters are mild. Nighttime temperatures are usually in the 20s Fahrenheit (around -6 to -1°C), and daytime temperatures are in the 50s Fahrenheit (around 10-15°C). Snowstorms and flurries are common in winter. Haigler Creek gets about 11.7 inches (30 cm) of snow each year. When it snows, the snow usually melts completely within a few days because the elevation isn't extremely high.
Northern Lights Sighting
On November 5, 2001, something amazing happened! The Northern Lights were seen from Payson and other areas around the Mogollon Rim and White Mountains, including Haigler Creek. From 8:00 to 10:30 pm, people in east-central Arizona saw this natural light show. It happened because of very strong Solar flares that allowed the Aurora Borealis to be seen much farther south than usual. The lights appeared in deep red and pink colors.
| Climate data for Haigler Creek, Arizona (Station Elevation 5,242 feet) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average high °F (°C) | 54.6
(12.5) |
57.0
(13.8) |
62.3
(16.8) |
69.5
(20.8) |
78.6
(25.8) |
87.9
(31.0) |
90.3
(32.4) |
88.0
(31.1) |
83.6
(28.7) |
73.8
(23.2) |
62.4
(16.9) |
53.9
(12.2) |
71.8
(22.1) |
| Average low °F (°C) | 24.2
(-4.3) |
26.2
(−3.2) |
30.1
(−1.1) |
34.7
(1.5) |
41.4
(5.2) |
48.8
(9.3) |
58.0
(14.4) |
57.8
(14.3) |
50.3
(10.2) |
39.9
(4.4) |
29.2
(−1.5) |
24.1
(−4.4) |
38.7
(3.7) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 2.44
(62) |
2.32
(59) |
2.20
(55) |
0.91
(23) |
0.64
(16) |
0.39
(10) |
2.78
(70) |
3.39
(86) |
2.08
(52) |
1.57
(39) |
1.72
(43) |
2.06
(52) |
22.50
(571) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 2.6
(6) |
3.8
(9) |
2.3
(5) |
1.1
(2) |
0
(0) |
0
(0) |
0
(0) |
0
(0) |
0
(0) |
trace
(0.25) |
0.6
(1) |
1.3
(3) |
11.8
(30) |
| Source: The Western Regional Climate Center | |||||||||||||
People of Haigler Creek
Haigler Creek has a very small population. As of the 2020 census, only 39 people live there. Many of the houses in the area are cabins or summer homes. People from Phoenix and Tucson like to visit because of the cooler temperatures. The ZIP code for Haigler Creek is 85541, and the area code is 928.
The population is spread out, with only about 24 people per square mile. The average age of residents is 65.3 years. There are 39 households in the area and 85 housing units. About 46% of these homes are lived in. The average price for a home owned by its resident is $343,300. About 33% of the people living there are married.
| Historical population | ||
|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± |
| 2010 | 19 | — |
| 2020 | 39 | 105.3% |
| U.S. Decennial Census | ||
Fun Things to Do
Since Haigler Creek is surrounded by the Tonto National Forest, there are lots of outdoor activities to enjoy!
Outdoor Adventures
- Hiking and Biking: There are many trails for hiking and mountain biking.
- ATVs and Dirt Bikes: Open forest roads are great for riding ATVs and dirt bikes.
- Camping: You can also go camping, as there are many campgrounds nearby.
Nearby Lakes
Just north of Haigler Creek, on top of the Mogollon Rim, are several "rim lakes." These include Willow Springs, Bear Canyon, Woods Canyon, and Knoll. These lakes are at an elevation of over 7,500 feet (2286 m). They are part of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest and offer lots of wildlife and fun activities.
All the lakes are stocked with different types of trout for fishing. Willow Springs and Woods Canyon Lakes even have boat ramps. Woods Canyon Lake also has a marina and a lake store. Knoll and Bear Canyon lakes are more remote. If you plan to visit them, it's a good idea to use a vehicle with 4-wheel drive and high ground clearance.
Entertainment and Natural Wonders
- Matazal Hotel & Casino: This is a tribal casino located near Payson. It hosts many events, festivals, and concerts all year. It's a fun place to relax and enjoy the higher elevation.
- Tonto Natural Bridge: About 30 minutes northwest of Payson, you'll find one of the largest natural bridges in the world! It's located within the Tonto Natural Bridge State Park. You can walk on overlooks and catwalks down into the canyon and even through the cave. The Goodfellow Lodge in the park has exhibits and artifacts about the bridge's history and the Native American people who lived in the area long ago.
Nearest Cities and Towns
- Payson
- Rye
- Pine
- Strawberry
- Star Valley
- Oxbow Estates
- Kohls Ranch
- Bear Flat
- Young
- Forest Lakes
- Heber-Overgaaurd
See also
In Spanish: Haigler Creek (Arizona) para niños
