West Clear Creek during Monsoon Season

[tyyyyler]

Hello!
Me and some buddies wanna do a short 2 night leisure trip this week and was thinking about west clear creek. Short hike down and the water is probably perfect temp right now. Last time I went was about 2 months ago, and it snowed on us so we couldn't get any swim time in. I've been there many times, and did a through hike from bear canyon to bull pen around this time last year and didn't get any rain or storms despite it being late june 2014. Do you think its safe to go down there right now? I was just checking the weather radar and as of right this second it looks like a heavy storm is rolling right over the canyon. Know of any other short hikes to areas with swimming and camping somewhat close to water? I'm taking a friend that has never backpacked and doesn't hike much so I don't want to take him on too long of a hike.

[chumley]

I'd recommend Kinder Crossing or Horse Crossing just downstream. Both have campsites, and the water is controlled by the dam in the reservoir above, so any flooding due to rain would be minimal, if noticeable at all.

SRP is now pumping water from the reservoir though, so I don't know what kind of release there is into East Clear Creek. I think they are keeping it at the normal flow it's always been at.

[nonot]

WCC should be fine, as long as you stay below Clover Canyon and camp a few feet above the river level. That said, Hanging Gardens can trap you as you can't swim upstream if a big flood comes. As to other places you have to cross, be smart and wait it out if a big one hits. Flash floods tend to occur in areas where there is either parched land or burned land in the catch basin, neither is true of WCC and I've been there during some pretty significant rain events.

Chums recommendation is also nice, and probably less crowded.

[tyyyyler]

@nonot
If we decide to go, it would be from the FR142E drop in just east of bear canyon. Up stream about a half mile there is 2 or 3 nice camps at least 15 or 20 ft above the water level and a nice flowing spring to drink from. I recently watched a documentary on the havasupai flood from 2 years ago and it got me a little paranoid haha. Those East Clear Creek spots do look very inviting though.

[nonot]

That's a very nice area, you should enjoy that. The area is heavily used though and I've been down there more than once where every campsite was taken in the area you describe.

[ASUAviator]

Just got back from 2 nights at the hanging gardens and we got 2 30+ min rain and thunder shows. Neither did anything to the water level which was already lower than prior trips. I would think theres enough vegetation around the drainage to prevent most flooding with typical monsoon storms.

[Ohhhhvictor]

Me and my girlfriend are planning a backpacking trip this Sunday. We want to hit the upper canyon and home downwards, I also want to fish along the way. Anyone know any good camp spots in the upper canyon ?

[nonot]

There are a significant number of campsites scattered between about a mile above Clover Canyon to about a mile below Tramway trail. It is best to be flexible as it will likely be busy this weekend.