Back way into West Fork

[SunDevil3]

Hi HAZ,

I am wondering if someone can help me with advice on the best place to park/access the "back end" of the West Fork of Oak Creek Canyon.

While I do love Trail #108 and the amazing beauty there is to be had there, I am going to be doing a group "camping trip" (Cave Springs) in early October with some family friends (whose definition of 'camping' varies a bit from my own) and I would like to potentially head up a day early alone and spend the night along the creek bank.

I have hiked up the obligatory 6+ miles and 13 crossings from #108 before and spent the night but am hoping I can back into it from the north and avoid the throngs of people around the 108 TH entirely. I know I did it back in college with a bunch of my buddies but that was 20+ years ago and my memory doesn't go back that far.

Any advice??

[nonot]

Park on FR231 somewhere near the start point given here. If I remember, there isn't great parking right at the bridge but within a quarter mile there are places to park.

[ West Fork of Oak Creek - Full 14 Mile Canyon ]

[chumley]

You'll find this [ sign ] where West Fork crosses FR 231. There's not much beyond this sign except raw, rugged, overgrown, canyon wilderness. If not the kind of thing you do regularly, I'd proceed with some significant levels of caution.

[toddak]

Great canyon, by early October I'd expect the water and mandatory swims to be rather chilly

[SunDevil3]

@chumley
Thank you! So, to your comment, should I assume that the creek will be a good bit away from where I would be entering the canyon at the sign you mention? I recall starting West Fork from somewhere up on FR231 back in my ASU days but my foggy memory also recalls the creek being right there (albeit a rather long and steep climb down at many spots.)

Long and steep climbs are not necessarily what I want (although I am more than game if needed) but I do realize I am a long way from the idiotic stuff I did in my early 20s. My main hope was that I could leave FR231, hike in a few miles, and find a nice secluded spot beside the creek to camp. I suspect I may be overly optimistic with that (otherwise, everyone would do it) but appreciate any further guidance.

[SunDevil3]

@nonot
Many thanks! HAZ is the best!

[chumley]

@SunDevil3
The sign is a hundred yards or so from the 231 bridge over the creek. Sometimes it's flowing here, sometimes it's not. It's a short drop from the road level to the creek level, maybe 30 feet. There's likely a use-trail of some sort at the very start. It doesn't get enough visitation (for good reason!) to tramp down seasonal growth. At the end of summer things are likely as thick as they get until leaves drop and things freeze.

[SunDevil3]

@chumley
Got it-- thank you for the additional info! All I need now is an inner tube and/or a hefty bag for some poor-man's waterproofing of my gear and I will be ready to tackle this and enjoy a peaceful night beside Oak Creek. Thanks again!

[nonot]

Camping opportunities are few and far between. The best is immediately after you descend the hill from the bridge, and after that don't be picky.

As Chums says, water conditions vary, but generally it doesn't get to wading/swimming through sometimes flowing/sometimes stagnant streambed conditions for a while (a few miles perhaps...it's been too long for me to remember clearly.) However it is scrambling and difficult hiking terrain for pretty much the entire upper 11 miles, your ankles will take a beating as well as your body getting scraped up a bit by overgrowth and deadfall.

[xsproutx]

Yeh, I have to emphasize here that it won't be a "peaceful" night. I mean, the night will be. But to get to it, won't be. I went that route around this time last year and it was insanely overgrown, not much water for a couple of miles, and generally ankle breakers and not a lot of fun. Kind of a one and done. Considering that it's been another year with higher temps and less rain, I expect it would be more overgrown and less water.

If you're looking for some type 2 fun, you'll find it. If you're looking to replicate coming in from the east but with less crowds, you'll be hurting and disappointed.

[SunDevil3]

@nonot
Thank you-- makes sense. I have been up most of the way before and I know it is not easy and campsites can be limited. Last time I camped there I somehow lucked into finding a tiny sandy beach not far past the no camping boundary. That place was ideal-- it even had two well-spaced trees for me to hang my hammock... actually, having said that, maybe I will just head up 108 from call of the canyon

Either way-- thanks for the info

[SunDevil3]

@xsproutx
Point taken-- and that does actually give me pause for starting from that end. I don't mind the ankle breakers so much, but I don't really feel like bushwhacking for 3-5 miles along a stagnant stream. Maybe I will start from Call of the Canyon afterall