Much of central Arizona, USA appears to be dry and fairly arid. At first glance this would seem to be true, however, there are quite a few perennial streams that flow underground and are not seen from the surface. Our first suspicions of an underground stream may actually be confirmed by observing the plant life along these apparently dry wash beds. Cottonwood trees, willows, and heavier than normal growths of Mesquite trees may provide a visual clue to the underground stream. It is only when these streams are forced to the surface by underlying bedrock do we actually observe the stream flow. Tangle Creek is one such perennial stream located approximately 39 miles north of Cave Creek, Arizona.

There are two routes you can drive to visit Tangle Creek. You can drive I-17 north from Phoenix, Arizona approximately 40 miles to the Bloody Basin Road exit, exit 259. Driving the Bloody Basin Road (Tonto National FR 269) east for approximately 15 rough miles will take you to an intersection with FR 24 (Cave Creek RD.). Continue on FR 269 past the intersection of FR 269 and FR 24 for approximately 1/2 more mile and you will be crossing Tangle Creek for the first time. Continue on for about 1/4 mile more and just before the road crosses Tangle Creek again there will be an undeveloped campground on the north side of the road. This is an excellent place to stop and enjoy the creek.

The second, and easiest, route is to drive on Cave Creek Road north from the town of Cave Creek, Arizona. Cave Creek's main thoroughfare turns into FR 24! For those of you who own passenger cars and low center vehicles, this is the best route to take. Continue on Cave Creek Road (FR 24) north for 38 miles to the intersection of FR 24 and FR 269 and follow the directions given, above.

My family and I made the trip from Cave Creek during the middle of May, 2007. It is easy, sometimes, to forget we live in a desert and we didn't realize...or tried to ignore, anyway...just how hot it would be at this time of the year. Yes, it was hot! However, we were prepared for hot weather and so should you be if you plan to make this trip from May through September. Here are some reminders...Be sure to take plenty of water and cold drinks. I plan on at least 5 gallons of water per day per person and an additional 5 gallons of water for the truck should we spring a radiator leak. On top of that I will carry a 12-pack of each person's favorite cold drink (non-alcoholic) in an ice chest. I cannot tell you how many times throughout the years I've been exploring and camping Arizona that I have come across people entirely unprepared for the hot weather. Some of these people have been in rather dire shape when I have come across them! You need more than a 6-pack of coke on a summer day!

Take plenty of cold food. I actually carry 2 ice chests in my truck. One ice chest holds the cold drinks and the other ice chest holds cold food. Ice cubes are fine for cooling drinks but don't rely on ice cubes alone for keeping food cool on hot days. Be sure to use block ice in the food ice chest. The block ice will last longer, keep the food cool all day, and prevent you or your family from suffering food poisoning should all of the ice melt and the food not be kept cold.

Finally, be sure your vehicle is in good condition to make a desert journey. That little radiator leak you've ignored for the last few, cool months can become a serious issue in the middle of the desert! Don't venture out with bald tires. Although most of the roads in these articles are good roads, desert rocks and cactus can shred bald tires. There's nothing more frustrating than having 2 flat tires and only one spare! OK, rant's over.

Back to Tangle Creek...At the second crossing of FR 269 and Tangle Creek, there is an undeveloped campground on the north side of the road. This is an ideal spot to picnic or camp or just access the stream. This area was one time a riparian habitat study area during the 1980s and has seen very little impact from grazing and motorized vehicle use. The campground is shaded by large trees which also happen to attract a large number of birds. During the hottest part of the day it was quite comfortable to sit in a folding chair and bird with a pair of binoculars.

Of course, the big attraction here is the stream. This is permanent water as evidenced by the large numbers of small minnows in the stream. It is also evidenced by the high numbers of irritating, biting insects, too. Be sure to take insect repellent with you or you could easily lose a pint of blood in an afternoon!!

Tangle Creek is, without doubt, one of the prettiest desert streams I have seen. The banks are lush, the water flow is fair, and there is easy access on both sides of the stream. I did not have any problems exploring the surrounding areas.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Tangle Creek is lined with extremely tall Cottonwood trees, Sycamore trees, and what looks to me to be ash trees. The banks are lined with reeds and rushes that grow only in extremely moist conditions. Evidence of wildlife abounds. In the image at the right the soft banks are covered with the tracks of javelina, deer, racoon, coyote, fox, and bobcat. Oh yes, and there are inumerable bird tracks! The whole reason for this trip.

Tangle Creek is going to be a marvelous area to bird and, quite possibly, one of the better sites for wild bird photography. The broad banks and gentle slopes make it easy to carry a camera and long lens on a tripod or monopod. Again, the use of a bag blind may be more beneficial than spotting-and-stalking the birds. I sighted quite a few locations of high bird activity where a person could sit down in a bag blind and photograph several species of birds. I have to admit, when I was there I was wishing I had brought my bird photography kit rather than my landscape photography kit!