McClintock Draw (full), AZ

McClintock Draw is a 2¾ mile long canyon just east of Dane Canyon, into which it empties.


Like most Rim canyons, McClintock Draw starts shallow and fairly wide. Unlike most of its neighbors, the head of McClintock Draw has a fair amount of deadfall. Not large; easily avoided.After ⅓ mile in McClintock Draw, you pick up FR 9737R. As evidenced by its coverage with grass and occasional deadfall, FR 9737R is decommissioned. About 200 yds. after joining FR 9737R, it enters a narrow wetland prairie, travelling up its west side. The prairie has three non-contiguous (now semi-) fenced enclosures. FR 9737R ends at the north end of the third wetlands enclosure. If you loop back on FR 321C to your trailhead on FR 218C, it would be a 3.1-mile, 330-foot. AEG hike.

The next quarter mile of McClintock Draw is a mild bushwhack. The Cabin Loop the draw after 1½ miles. If you take Cabin Loop (and FR 321C) back, it would be a 3.2-mile, 360-foot. AEG hike. Both options, as well as the main hike, are in the official GPS route.

The final mile of McClintock Draw is more congested. Nothing too extreme, but more work and slower going. If you need to bail -- I saw evidence of flooding -- and are too far from Cabin Loop, go west (left): It’s not too steep, nor too high (80-100 ft.) or tangled. East (right) is more vertical and higher by over a hundred feet.

When you reach the mouth of McClintock Draw, either climb out via animal trails, as I did, or loop back via Dane Canyon (overall a ~6.2 mi., 520 AEG loop).

2025-10-26 kingsnake