History: Formerly known as Clear Creek. Now referred to as West Clear Creek to eliminate confusion with the Clear Creek which flows into the Little Colorado River.

I hiked this trail May 11, 2002 with the Friends of Arizona Highways hiking club. You can not miss the trail head once you get down to the end of the road that leads to it which, by the way, is not paved and is rough gravel. Cars will be fine. The road dead ends into a little cul-de-sac and the trail head is located through a gate in a pole fence. The first mile of the trail remains fairly level and you are out in the open sun. This first part of the trail is actually an old jeep trail. After walking a short distance you will see off to the left an old farmhouse with lots of prickly pear cactus growing on top of it. Many of us laughed at seeing this odd site. It was here that several members of our hiking group reported seeing a king snake.

Continuing down the trail led us to our first creek crossing. Beware here and at all creek crossings. This creek is friendly and inviting but the rocks are slippery!! We saw at least 4 people fall into the creek on accident while they were trying to stay dry by rock hopping. No one got hurt and once in the creek they actually liked it and we all laughed. Only one of our members was able to keep her feet dry at 3/4 creek crossings. Everyone else just gave up and either put on their sandals or trudged in with their sneakers on after realizing attempts to keep feet dry were impossible. There were several families camping by the creek side and a few people enjoying the creek. The water felt very nice and refreshing once we were in it.

There were 3 more creek crossings for a total of 4 all together. All of them fit the above description. Nice and shady with patches of sun. In between the creek crossings the trail turns into a rolling up and down one. Nothing too steep here and you follow the creek the whole way. The uphill jaunts are just enough to get your heart going slightly and the down hill ones will let you catch your breath.

The scenery in between the crossings is beautiful as well as the creek itself. The land consists of large patches of red rock in contrast the trees shading the creek. There are many areas where the creek is filled with sun and many areas where they are shaded. We saw several areas of poison ivy. Please be careful of these 3 leaved bright green monsters. Several people saw large fish in the creek and one person reported seeing javelina and a fox.

Now for the highlight of this hike. Once you get out of the 4th crossing of the creek you will go for about a mile or so in the above fashion except you are taken away from the creek. The trail is mostly in the sun and is hot and is pretty level. Then, the trail veers left and you can not miss the steep descent that will take you to the top of the rim which has an elevation of 5520 feet. It is gradual at first and then you find yourself panting and wondering just how far this hike will take you. You keep looking up and trying to find the end but it is nowhere in sight. The trail continues in this fashion for the rest of the way except for one small patch where the trail dipped downward. Several people in our group turned back here because they did not want to begin another journey back upward from going down and because they were tired!

Keep climbing and keep climbing on this one. You will know you are at the end of the trail when all of the sudden it levels out (and you will love this as it is your reward) and you see another sign marking the back entrance to this trail. It says quite clearly "West Clear Creek." Can't get any more clearer than West Clear Creek. You have made it. One of the lucky people to make it to the top ran out of water here. Thank goodness we had enough to help her back. If you make it this far on this trail you will have now traveled 7.7 miles according to the above web site. Keep in mind you have to turn around and go back to get to where you started out.

This takes you downhill from your uphill trek. The dirt that is downhill (and upward) consists partly of lava rock which you will find you have to stumble over. Then after the lava rock you will encounter loose dirt which will make you slip several times. Be careful here. Not one person in our group did not take a slight tumble onto their behinds. Nothing major. Basically, the trail just goes in reverse from here. Some people feel going down is harder than going up.

We started this trail and went at a pretty fast clip (constant fast walking) at 9:00AM. We did not get back to the trailhead until 4:50PM. One person in the group had GPS. He said at the last creek crossing he logged 5 miles. I know nothing about them and will have to take his word for it.

Truly you could rate the trail as easy or mildly moderate until the strenuous trek up. You will definitely know it when it begins. We had over 20 people in our group and only 6 of them made it the whole way.
- May 13 2002 lorilynnfoster

Coconino FS Reports  This trail provides the only marked and maintained access to the lower reaches of West Clear Creek Canyon Wilderness. From its western terminus at Bull Pen Ranch at the canyon mouth, the trail leads upstream into the deep, narrow gorge which medium-sized West Clear Creek has cut into the southern edge of the Colorado Plateau. The downstream end of the trail attracts large numbers of anglers, picnickers, and other streamside recreators attracted by the clear pools, slickrock water slides, and tree-shaded riparian areas tucked away between red rock canyon walls.

From the trail's upper terminus, at Bald Hill, the route drops 1,800 feet down a steep, talus - strewn slope from a high plateau of pinyon-juniper forests to the canyon floor. It then winds its way downstream along a stretch of secluded pools and rocky riffles. Bring your wading shoes on this one, you'll have to cross the stream at least four times. In times of high runoff, this trail can be impassable. In the middle of a hot desert summer you'll appreciate the opportunity to cool off.

One-Way Notice: This hike is listed as One-Way. When you hike several trails on a single "hike", log it with a generic name that describes the hike. Then link the trails traveled, check out the example.