Point Trail, West Clear Creek

[LauraZirino]

Hi, new here. I was thinking about doing the Point Trail in West Clear Creek as a day hike for photography. From what I read, it looks like it's mostly an overnight, canyoneering area. Is it doable for a solo hiker as a dayhike, and can I get to beautiful places to shoot in a half day? I've never hiked the West Clear Creek area, though I've always wanted to. Thanks!

[Tough_Boots]

You're in beautiful places as soon as you reach the bottom but you will not be able to stay dry. The water is going to be extremely cold right now, too. I would wait until summer.

Are those roads even open right now?

[chumley]

Are those roads even open right now?

Yes. Opened within the last week

[LauraZirino]

@Tough_Boots

Thanks! I was thinking mid-May for this, but yeah, water will probably still be very cold.

[outdoor_lover]

You Hike the Point Trail, but once you get to West Clear Creek, only 10% of your movement from there will be considered Hiking. You'll be wading or swimming 90% of the time. Plan on 1 MPH or less, especially if you've never done it before.

[nonot]

The entirety of West Clear Creek is beautiful, no matter what trail you use or which direction you go.

[ALMAL]

@LauraZirino
You should access WCC Trail #17 via Bullpen access.
More creek side hiking, several knee deep crossings, and no swimming, unless you’re so inclined. There are plenty of worthy pictures to take.

[LauraZirino]

@outdoor_lover - how much swimming? I'm a good swimmer, but prolonged cold temps will not be good.

[nonot]

@LauraZirino
Plan on generally wading up to waist deep if you go upstream or downstream by 3 miles. Swimming is optional. If you want to get into the Sundance grotto you will have to swim across the creek, about 20 feet.

[outdoor_lover]

@LauraZirino
It depends. Which way you go, your height and the water levels. If you turn right upon reaching the bottom, you'll be negotiating a chest deep or deeper pool almost right away, but it's short. Then you can hike for a ways and only have some intermittent wading. If you turn left, you're going to be wading a lot and some of it will be chest high or deeper for at least 5 minutes. I'm 5'7" and some of those pools were armpit deep, it was actually almost easier to swim them. And you will be swimming in them if you hit a hole, lol There's places, you'll wish were deep enough to swim as the bottom can be slick and a pita to wade. But, if you protect your gear so you're not worrying about it, and you're familiar with how moving up and down a creek goes, it's beautiful down there and worth the effort.

[JoelHazelton]

@LauraZirino
Good to see you on HAZ! Nonot's reply is spot-on in my opinion. You'll be wading up to waist deep for much of it. I've done Point Trail numerous times, and as far as I can remember, I've never felt inclined to drybag my gear (although I've never gone too far in either direction). Go downstream if you want to encounter fewer people. The drive is a few hours from the valley and the hike down is quick but sketchy. Plan on having the ability to find shots all day - the actual "golden hour" there sucks because the whole canyon will be deep in shadows. You can find bounce light pretty much the rest of the day. Mid-May will be perfect because of all greenery and flowers. You'll wish you were staying overnight once you're down there, but you can pull it off as a day trip.

[LauraZirino]

@JoelHazelton Awesome, thanks Joel! I was going to message you about this hike because I figured you must have done it, but decided to start here. I was thinking that mid-day might be good if the canyon is narrow, and glad to hear the water is (usually) waist deep. I'm super excited to see WCC, I've wanted to explore this area for a long time. Do you recommend starting at the Bull Pen trailhead?

[JoelHazelton]

@LauraZirino
I would only start at Bullpen if you're not comfortable with the terrain described for Point Trail. Bullpen actually has a trail that follows the creek for a few miles, just a few easy crossings required. Otherwise, Point is much prettier.