Deer Creek And The Adventurous Life Of David Gowan Traditional Geocache
Deer Creek And The Adventurous Life Of David Gowan
-
Difficulty:
-
-
Terrain:
-
Size: 
(regular)
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
Burned in the Willow fire of 2004, Deer Creek is making a comeback.
Though evidence of fire damage lingers, the trail contains
interesting history, and offers excellent views of Deer Creek and
areas of the Mazatzal Wilderness. The trailhead (see pic and
waypoint) is easily accessed by any vehicle from State Route 87.
The trail climbs at first before flattening out and dipping down
along the creek where it continues creekside to the cache. Along
the creek, there are some short and steep gains in elevation, but
overall the trail is generally level. While on the trail, you'll
pass through 3 different unlocked gates and an interesting old
windmill (see pic and waypoint). Some portions of the trail that
involved creek crossings have been washed out and altered after the
winter storms of January 2010. Though there are cairns along the
way, they are intermittent, and some route finding may be
necessary. Approximately 3 miles along the trail you'll find the
grave of David D. Gowan (see pic and waypoint).
To say David Gowan's life was adventurous is an understatement.
David was born in Scotland in 1843 to a fishing family. He served
in the British Navy until jumping ship in Africa. From there he
moved to the USA during the Civil War and joined the US Navy. After
serving in the Navy, he returned to his roots as a fisherman, but
during a storm he became the sole survivor of a shipwreck off the
West Coast. Gowan then moved with a friend to the Arizona Territory
where he worked as rancher and gold prospector. Additionally, Gowan
aided Mormon scouts looking to settle in Arizona. During that time,
Arizona was still the setting of violence stemming from the Indian
wars and, under the threat of violence, Gowan once spent 3 days
hiding in a cave under the Tonto Natural Bridge. Afterward, Gowan
offered a claim of the site to his nephew, who accepted, and began
to turn the bridge into the tourist spot we know today.
At the turn of the century, David Gowan began the Gowan mine near
Payson, which he eventually sold for $10,000. Near the end of his
life, Gowan lived in a cabin along Deer Creek and mined in what is
now the Mazatzal Wilderness. Weekly he rode to a ranch to get his
mail, but in December 1925, Gowan had not arrived for consecutive
weeks and the ranch owner rode to Deer Creek to check on him. When
he arrived, he found that Gowan had died. Days later, a coffin was
prepared and Gowan was laid to rest in the spot where he passed
away, right along the creek. Gowan's nephew had a headstone made,
but unknowingly listed the death year as 1926 instead of
1925.
Despite the Willow fire, David Gowan's grave and headstone are well
preserved and easily seen along the trail. You can't miss it. The
cache is a 30 cal. ammo can located within 75 feet of the grave at
the base of a burned tree and alongside a boulder covered with
rocks and leaves.
Visiting Deer Creek and the grave of David D. Gowan has been a
great experience for me. I hope you all enjoy it as much as I
have.
Click Here For A More Detailed
Biography of David D. Gowan From The Payson Roundup
Additional Hints
(No hints available.)