The Black River Wade

[azbackpackr]

July 18 to 20.

I have planned this as my annual very lazy, easy backpack-with-swimming-hole along the Black River. We'll be doing the section between Bear Creek Trail and Buffalo Crossing. I don't intend to backpack any more than about 3 miles or less. We will leave camp set up in the same place both nights, unless there is a good reason to move it. On Saturday we'll hike to the swimming hole and swim. We will generally explore the area. We will also probably hang around in the shade and swap stories. If you are a "Type A" personality, this may not be for you, unless you really feel up to some relaxation. On the other hand, we will be backpacking--we will not be camping next to the cars.

The hike is pretty flat, other than Bear Creek Trail, but there will be river crossings, about knee to thigh deep, with current, so bring poles and some sort of shoes that you can hike in while wet. There is some poison oak along this route, so if you're allergic, wear long pants. It is monsoon already, so bring a poncho or raincoat and a tent or tarp. Daytime temps can reach upper 80's. Nighttime temps in the 50's. Water temp is swimmable--usually about 68 or 70 degrees, I think. Never much warmer than that. You can get used to it, though. (Not like swimming in the 48 degree Colorado in Grand Canyon, for a comparison.)

Hikers will meet me in Springerville around noon on Friday, and we'll carpool directly to the trailhead and begin hiking. PM me for meeting place details. There are three other people (not HAZers) already going. They are from Tucson, and there could be a carpool for you to join if you are from Tucson.

I do something like this once a year, and it is always fun!

[PaleoRob]

I might be up for joining in Sat-Sun...have to see how this weekend goes in ABQ and what time we get back from that!

[azbackpackr]

By Monday I should have a better idea, even a GPS coordinate of campsite, and can give you directions to it if you want to find us there. I plan to do a scouting trip this coming weekend. Hope you can join us!

[azbackpackr]

Scouted part of the route out on Sunday. It sure is pretty there right now--wildflowers, very green, etc. Very balmy, too, in the 80's with only a little rain.

[Hoffmaster]

I wish I didn't already have other plans. I can't bail on them either. This sounds like a great trip!

[azbackpackr]

Sorry you can't make it! Maybe another time. I would like to do a weeklong trip down the Black River, starting at the source meadow on the West Fork on down to the Rez boundary. Like the song, somewhere someday somehow.

[PaleoRob]

Looks like we're not going to be able to make it either - we had to replace the oil pan on the Jetta in ABQ. $536 and one extra day later, we're back home, but I think we'll be staying close to home the next few weekends.

[azbackpackr]

Dittos, sorry you can't make it! Oh, well. I think there are seven people going, so that's probably plenty. However, one or two more would be ok, too!

[PaleoRob]

Have fun with it! I'll get out there some day, I'm sure!

[hikeaz]

Sunday - hiked/fished the East Fork from Buffalo Crossing to the confluence with the West Fork - then up the West Fork about 2 miles - returning cross-country to Buffalo.
Monday/Tuesday - Backpacked/fished the West Fork down the Thompson Trail and then out the unnamed canyon heading NNW from where the West Fork Trail climbs to the east from the creek.
Wednesday - hiked/fished the East Fork from Diamond Rock up to Three Forks.... verrry pretty.

[azbackpackr]

Sounds fun. We made it up to the big swimhole used by the Sprucedale dude ranch. Cold water, swam anyway. Then up further on past the junction with Beaver Creek. Someone had told me there was no trail through there. Boy, they sure weren't kidding! It's a major bushwhack, contouring along a steep hillside with lots of downed trees, etc. We were heading for the confluence of East and West Forks, never made it that far, it would have taken a long time! I plan to head down the way you did, from Buffalo Crossing and also do that very lowermost part of the West Fork to confluence as you did. Also soon I plan on starting at source springs meadow area of East Fork, where it begins and it crosses 261 (Big Lake Rd.) and walking on down to Crosby Crossing and later on to Three Forks. Someday I will have the whole river hiked, including both forks. Some of it is easy. Some of it is slow going! And the lower part is on the reservation, and I'm told it's bushwhacking down there, too. Anyone done the lower part, below Wildcat Bridge to reservation boundary and beyond? I'd like info.