Aravaipa East Entrance

[erikshinn]

We are doing this hike soon and I am curious about the condition of the east entrance road. I've heard a high clearance vehicle is required. I have a Subaru Outback with AWD and pretty decent clearance (better than some SUVS because of the short wheelbase). Does anyone know if that will get us to the trailhead without issue or do we need something more like a Jeep or a true 4x4? I don't want to drive all the way out there to get stuck. Thanks for the help.

[BrettVet]

Was there last weekend and pulled a 23 ft horse trailer with a pickup truck and made it with no problem. Parked about a mile and a quarter past the "official" trailhead, near where the trail enters the canyon. Streams were running about 3-6 inches so unless they have a flash flood your golden. Did get a nasty note from the Nature Conservancy for parking there, but it was worth it to save the extra 3 miles roundtrip along the road. There were no signs indicating you can not park there.

[erikshinn]

Thanks, bud. Looking forward to it.

[erikshinn]

UPDATE:

We made it just fine in the Outback. Had to muscle through some loose stuff, but no big issues. We parked at the trailhead and hiked 3.5 miles to a good spot. Day hiked the rest of the day on day 2. Great trip overall.

[azbackpackr]

I wonder if my old Honda Accord would make it? It goes a lot of places!

[desertgirl]

You cross the stream multiple times as you get to there so if you can get there will depend on water level and general condition of road which tends to degenerate as get closer to the river -- we did see a VW bus parked at the unoffcial TH when we got there ....

[ddgrunning]

Bumping this thread. I have permits from the East end in March. Anyone with recent knowledge of conditions? (I realize they may change between now and March).

[chumley]

@ddgrunning
Aravaipa flashed on 11/21/19 and the road flooded. People live out there so it is usually repaired within a week after a flood event. Otherwise it's safe to say getting to the main trailhead is no problem. From there to the wilderness boundary always requires a couple of creek crossings and high clearance is preferred.

BLM is pretty proactive about contacting permit holders if a flood washes out the road. They have your contact info and planned dates after all!

Keep an eye on the stream gauge to see if it spikes from any storms between now and then. There's a ranger that lives in Klondyke so the BLM office usually has very good information on conditions within a day or two of a flood.

[vscott1]

Looking for Aravaipa East entrance side canyon must see's. Last year while exiting the West entrance, the Ranger said the East entrance had Cliff Dwellings (found info on that already) but also an Arch and a "gushing" spring from the side of a cliff/mountain. I also saw there is a slot canyon from the East side as well. Which side canyons are these in if they do indeed exist? Much appreciated with any information on these!

[xsproutx]

@vscott1
My guess is they're talking about Deer Canyon which isn't a slot canyon imo, but is pretty damn neat and tighter than other places. It's also probably where there's an "arch": hell hole, a couple miles into that canyon.

[vscott1]

@xsproutx
Thank you! That is what I was thinking as well. Now to figure out where the Ranger was talking about for this "gushing" spring! I appreciate your feedback!

[DbleDutch]

@vscott1
The gushing spring is also in Deer Creek canyon (Hell Hole canyon) Pic is in my photos for Aravaipa 4/1/2016 and other Aravaipa posted photos.

[vscott1]

@DbleDutch
That's it! Your photos provided me with exactly what I was looking for! Thank you so much!