Agua Fria River exploration FEB.

[te_wa]

I feel the need to explore the Agua Fria RIver in early February. Thought I'd throw the opportunity out there for others to join me, this is a great canyon cutting into the featureless and oddly flat Sunset Point area with some awesome habitat in a riparian setting. I will likely start at the Sunset Point exit and follow Badger Springs wash down to the confluence, and then take the Agua Fria proper downstream a few miles to set up camp and explore with camera. You might expect a 15 mile round trip at most. Good rains recently have left clean water in places but the rock hopping should not be a problem by the end of next week.

An Old Mine: In the middle of the canyon, shortly after a large tributary ravine (Tank Canyon) joins from the west, parts of an old rusty pipe remain alongside the river; this was once used to provide water for the Richinbar Mine, situated 700 feet above on the western rim. It takes about 20 minutes of scrambling and climbing to reach the rim, on which there are various remnants of old buildings and equipment. Richinbar Mine produced gold and silver from about 1896 to 1912, and even contained a registered post office. From here, the Badger Springs trailhead is about one hour's walk away, over a flat, stony plateau.
Get in here!

[nonot]

HikeAZ suggested swimming would be necessary, is that still the case?

[te_wa]

today's flow was 186 cu/ft a second.
im gonna give it a week.