West Clear Creek

[hddan]

Hi folks, I'm new on this site, so take it easy on me. Does anyone have any experience on a trans-wildernesss hike of west clear creek? I can't seem to find any posts on one anywhere else. Looking to drop in at Tramway and end at Bull Pen. Judging my topos, I'm thinking 18 miles +or-. Any thoughts?

[dabreeze]

Maybe the toughest thru hike in the state. Easily comparable to Hellsgate. Figure on 1/2-1 mph over bowling balls covering in slick slime, with mandatory cold & long swims. Raft or dry bag NOT optional!!

Tyler Williams' Canyoneering Arizona has a number of good pages on the various sections, as does Michael Kelsy's Canyon Hiking guide to the Colorado Plateau. Do your homework on this one; although I haven't done it as a thru hike, I can personally attest to the arduous nature of just 4-6 miles of it. Good information is hard to come by but every, I repeat, every description I have ever read of it as a thru hike characterizes it as a tough SOB. Most triplogs say it took at least twice as long as the person expected. Oh, and did I mention the rattlesnakes? ;-)

[CindyC]

Hope you like to swim! Start at Maxwell, why miss any of it? Beautiful canyon. Be extra cautious during monsoons. That water rises fast when a storm hits. Camping gets a bit tight around the boxes. Speed? I'd say a mile an hour is to be expected, less in the boxes.

[hikeaz]

This is a FANTASTIC hike !! Just completed the hike from the power lines to BP. I'd say your estimated mileage is about accurate.
Water, as well as the air, was the perfect temp ... I'd guess 70 and 90 respectively. It's a bit of a workout, but if you keep your pack weight down it makes it easier.
We hiked from about 9:30 to 4:30 on days 2 and 3 with numerous stops after getting a noon-time start on day 1, stopping at 4:15.
Note > our group hikes pretty efficiently; I've heard some folks recommend 4 days for this hike.
IMHO this pack is the way to go for this trip (or Tonto Creek, etc.)>> pack. Rig yourself a "leash" that is carabinered to the pack, as it's a lot easier to tow a pack through the pools than push it. You'll need to keep a tight space budget with this pack, but it will be worth it.
A hiking stick is a nice addition as well - be sure it floats or can be tethered to your pack for the pools.
Small BITING no-see-um type gnats are voratious - long pants & long sleeved shirt mandatory, at least in camp, as well as a headnet at some times.
TIP - camp in a breezy spot to mitigate the gnats. They seemed to disapate at/after sundown and through the night, but were back at it about 8:30 AM.
Do not let the gnats dissuade you, though, this is an awesome place. We saw no one, or evidence of, until 2-3 miles above BP.
Have fun and be safe.

kurt

[hddan]

Thanks, this is all good information. I haven't met anyone that's done it, so it is definitely hard to come by. Couple questions: how about going in on the 611 or 122C road and starting there? On the maps, evey dropping in at Maxwell, I'm still missing some miles. This time of year, I think I'll have to deal with knats in pretty much every nice canyon. Thanks for the heads up.
Looking to go next week sometime, I'll let you know how it goes. I'm allowing 4 days just in case.

[hikeaz]

In response to hddan's reply:
IMO - Mostly, above the 142E entry point there are less/smaller pools... although the wider canyon above that is nice and worthwhile, the "adventure" section is at and below the Trail 33 entry.
You'd likely need all of 4 days (if not more) to Bull Pen from 122C.

[hddan]

Good call on the time. I did this hike this last weekend. The canyon really got tore up during this last flood season, resulting in no trails and lots of bushwacking through knocked-over trees and logjams. This through-hike is for experts only and 1-2 hiking sticks are a must. Thanks for your help, it was a good heads-up. Email me if you want specifics.

[Hikergirl81]

How many days did it take??

[Tsd906]

This is on my 2015 list, right after I hit Wet Beaver Creek again.