b"YOUNGUNLESS YOU ARE PRONE to taking long detours down bumpy gravel roads just to see what's out there, you're unlikely to stumble into Young. You have to want to go there. Young, Arizona is located in the heart of Pleasant Valley and Gila County, about 120 miles northeast of Phoenix. One of Arizona's best-kept secrets is relatively untouched and unspoiled. Its the true Wild West and a chance to step back in time.ELECTRICITY DIDN'T ARRIVE UNTIL 1965 andNAEGELIN RIM HELLSGATE WILDERNESSthere was no cellular service until 2009. Even today,Dutch bachelorHellsgate Wilderness was there are no fast food restaurants or well-knownLouis and hisonce the home of prehistoric chain stores.Progress in Pleasant Valley moves verybrother WilliamAmerican Indians known as slowly. There are no strangers in Young and as youNaegelin put theirthe Salado. This civilization travel through town, prepare to be greeted oftenname on a rim-likeflourished along the banks of by a pleasant wave and a friendly smile. Youngsmountain whichthe Salt River in the 13th and population is about 600 and it is located on Statewould never be14th centuries. In the latter part Route 288 between Payson and Rooseveltof the 14th century, the Salado Lake. It's where elk hunters go for shelterwent into decline and by 1400 on cold autumn nights, where hikers escapethe Hellsgate Wilderness area the summer heat of Phoenix, where anglerswas largely abandoned. Sometime unwind after trying their luck on nearbyin the 16th century, the Apache streams, and where dudes go to ride horses. began using this area for a hunting ground and continued to do so LOWER CANYON CREEK famous yet is taller thanuntil they were driven out by ranchers and miners of The creek is surrounded by a mature standthe highest elevations ofEuropean descent.of ponderosa pine with a mix of White andthirty-six of Americas Douglas fir. It is popular among anglers fishingfifty states. NaegelinIn 1927, a Ryan Brougham airplane flown by Martin for rainbow trout and the Arizona Game andRim is 7,117 feet aboveJensen, carrying MGM's Leo the Lion, was forced to Fish Department Canyon Creek Fish Hatcherysea level. Lookingmake an emergency landing in a box canyon in the is nearby. The hatchery is open to the publicnorth from Young, theHellsgate Wilderness. Both pilot and lion survived and offers a self-guided tour of the facility. Naegelin is a prominentwith no injuries, and the canyon was named Leo Wildlife in the area includes squirrels, blackfeature. Traveling fromCanyon after the incident. The wreckage of the plane bear, mountain lion, elk, turkey, and deer. Young, youll continuewas left in the canyon to climb the desolateuntil 1991 when Artificial lures and flies only are allowed.road up to Naegelin Rimhistoric-airplane Observe daily bag and possession limit of twoand the Colcord Mountain lookout point. From here,enthusiast Scott trout, minimum size of 12 inches. Chains or four- youll have a breathtaking view of the Tonto Basin.Gifford found itwheel-drive are advisable after heavy rains. PACK ITOnce on top of the rim, the road levels out and makesand removed itIN, PACK IT OUT! an easy run through the open Ponderosa forest tofrom the canyonthe pavement at State Road 260. In the Naegelin Rimvia helicopter. It is located 23 miles northeast of Young and isarea are several dirt forest roads that give access to the south of Airplane Flat and Upper Canyon Creekupper reaches of Hellsgate Wilderness to the west. campgrounds. From Young, take State Hwy. 288/Forest Road (FR) 512/ Young Road north for 20 milesPLEASANT VALLEY RANGER DISTRICT: 928-462-4300to FR 188, turn right onto FR 188 (unpaved) then turn left on FR 188 and follow it for 3.4 miles to P.O. Box 450, FR 63, Young, Arizona 85554the stream.28 August 2019"