Cottonwood Creek - Upper Falls, AZ

This simple loop starts from the Mud Springs Trailhead on the Soldier Camp Trail. Immediately you cross the ravine which is home to Mud Springs. The creek was only a trickle on this outing. Trees refreshingly canopy the area (pre-2020 Bush Fire). However, it's short-lived and soon you're back into typical Brushy Basin foliage. Which are occasional bushes and in May lots of irritating dry grass foxtails. This hike would likely be most enjoyable in March.


Soon you'll cross Cottonwood Creek. On this outing, it was running slow, but three to four times as good as Mud Spring. The hike continues away and up from Cottonwood Creek. Stop at 0.5 miles and go off-trail back/left to Cottonwood Creek. It's pretty easy, but if you're unsure I'd recommend downloading my GPS route.There's a slanted 12 to 15-foot waterfall in the granite. I wouldn't say I was impressed but I was flat out stunned, to say the least. Granted we just experienced one of the wettest winters on record, but I believe the last round of showers was over two months ago! It must have been phenomenal here in March!

Follow Cottonwood Creek a little over a quarter-mile back down to Soldier Camp Trail. You'll have to be slightly acrobatic to make it down the creek. The rewards are slim with two somewhat notable waterfalls and one granite-etched swirling cascade. Depending on the route you choose you may have to climb/descend some walls and shimmy across slabs of granite with drop-off exposure. The largest pool is barely large enough for a one-man bath.

I only rate this hike a 2 out of 5, just don't expect much. This loop is just outside the Four Peaks Wilderness boundary so feel free to mountain bike it in large groups.

2005-05-07 joebartels