Escape North in Haigler Creek

The population growth of the metropolitan Phoenix area, in both permanent residents and visitors, is causing continued increase in the demand for recreational property. The most desirable, and at the same time least available land, is forest land located along a live, year-round flowing stream. Of the four principal recreation areas serving Phoenix, two, Payson and Prescott, are located within the primary recreational radius of the city. Flagstaff and the White Mountain area are both at a further distance. The Preserve on
Haigler Creek is located east of Payson in the Tonto National Forest.

Within that area there are only four year-round flowing streams. Three of those streams have had the 1imited private land on them intensely developed into very small creek front lots. Few of these lots are undeveloped. With creek front and forested property a diminishing commodity, the outward mobility of the population centers, and the attraction to rural recreational areas the value of creek front property should be significantly enhanced in the future.

There are only two parcels of private land on Haigler Creek. Within the southern parcel is The Preserve. The northern parcel is an unsubdivided private ranch which will neither be developed nor subdivided.

The Preserve has been platted into large lots in order to retain a rural recreational life style that has virtually disappeared in other areas; there are deed restrictions and C.C.&R’s. The large two to five acre lots have been designed to provide a private retreat within an unspoiled setting. In no other location is the purchaser able to obtain the level of privacy and tranquility combined with creek frontage on a year-round flowing trout stream.

Elevations in the immediate area range from 5,175 feet to 5,800
feet. The property is surrounded by Tonto National Forest. Elk, deer, javelina, turkey, fox, bobcat, and many other wild animals are abundant. It is a rare day when one doesn’t see a number of these animals. The lots contain both meadow and forested areas with concentrations of hardwood trees along the creek, which include alders, cottonwoods, oaks sycamore, walnuts and several other species. Interspersed throughout are Ponderosa and juniper.

Winter nights are cold with day time temperatures frequently in the 50’s and 60’s. There is adequate and frequent enough snow to enjoy, but not enough to become a problem. During the summer the creek is stocked with rainbow trout. Lake fishing is available at the numerous lakes in the area.

The Preserve is comparatively remote and is accessed by a dirt road, Forest Road 200, also known at the Chamberlain Trail. The road is maintained by Gila County through a contract with Tonto National Forest. There are no golf courses or tennis courts in the Preserve. The Preserve was designed for hiking, fishing, outdoor photography, solitude and tranquility. The Preserve is meant to provide a family, particularly a family with children, a lifestyle in the out of doors where there is contact with and exposure to nature, plants, animals, and a vast variety of experiences in a near wilderness setting.

The property is located approximately 15 miles from Young, Arizona and the historic Pleasant Valley. Young provides the basic services of groceries, gasoline, and repair services. There is an unpaved airstrip approximately 6 miles from the Preserve. It will accommodate twin engine craft. It has no service facilities or lights.

There is excellent telephone service and DSL internet. At this time, television is via satellite. There are plans to extend the fiber optic currently in Forest Road 200 to the individual residences in the Preserve.

Preserve History

The Preserve started out as a long plot of land that borders a year round creek and runs along a road. On both sides running parallel with the creek is the Tonto National Forest boundaries.

The goal of the preserve has been to parcel the land into comfortable lots ranging from no less than 1 acre to almost 4 acres each. Because of the location, there are lots on flat wooded areas, others in flat meadows, and yet others on the hill overlooking the road and the creek beyond. These lots have been arranged so that you will feel a strong sense of privacy from any one of them, even when the community is complete. Most of the land is heavily forested.

To facilitate the growth of the community, there are all of the amenities already in place. Each lot has a well of its own. And, being so close to a year round creek the water is plentiful. Each location has a power connection ready to be connected to a home. And there is phone service. The phone company that services the area also is an Internet Provider. The lots that are on the ridge already have pads so they are ready to build on.

The Preserve was created for someone who loves nature and enjoys the seasons. For people who enjoy having neighbors,yet don’t want to be able to reach out and actually touch them – at least without a several hundred foot walk.

Most of all, the Preserve wasn’t created to be another ‘me too’ land opportunity. Most land available in Arizona today are large blocks on flat land sliced up into squares and called a community. Sometimes they provide a community well and a road structure. And most are not as forested as they seem in the brochures. Around them are other developments doing the same thing.

At the Preserve the land is precious. Being ringed by the National Forest, it’s clear that this is a real preserve. There is no chance, even in your great grandchildren’s lifetimes that there will be a Big Wallmart down the street. Places in Arizona like this are very rare indeed. If you really want to invest in some land, this is one place you really need to see. No big flashing signs and no salesmen in white shoes to twist your arm. The ‘Creek’ is a natural and you’ll fall in love with it before we get a chance to say hello.