Weekender backpacking in Fossil Springs

[Thoreau]

A small group of friends and myself (total of three in the camping party, plus one dog) are planning a camping trip in the Fossil Springs area this weekend and are kinda lost as to a few details. I've hiked down before (not quite to the waterfall area tho) and have a general idea of the area, but we're looking for some suggestions for good camping spots that would be relatively out of the way, quite, etc. On that note, I'm also not entirely sure where the waterfall area is either. I'm guessing it would be at the end of Joe's GPS route for the Fossil Springs entry?

Anywho, I was thinking of hitting up the waterfall area first, then backtracking upstream a ways and exploring that area for good camping spots, but we're definitely open to suggestions.

Another item we're not sure about is campfires/firewood. A good friend says there aren't any current campfire restrictions, which is good, but I wanted to also make sure that usable wood is going to be available down there, and what the rules are as far as what qualifies as legal/fair game for firewood.

Other than the above, I think we're about as prepared as a group can be, but would still love to hear any tips/tricks for camping in that neck of the woods if anyone has any =)

[chumley]

There are numerous established camping spots along the creek, especially in the 1/4 mile between the springs area (swimming hole and rope swing) and the dam/waterfall. However, on any given weekend, "quiet" might not be the case, depending on how many other visitors are there.

The area downstream from the dam is closed to public access as the deconstruction of the dam and flume continues.

I wouldn't expect it to be very busy just yet, but you never know. There's a trail that leads up the canyon called the Mail Trail that should provide much more solitude, and the snowmelt should result in the creek flowing up here too.

As for firewood, anything that is "dead and down" is fair game. There are no fire restrictions right now, but common sense should prevail.

With the recent removal of the dam, the area has changed quite a bit and there's a lot of erosion of the sediment that had piled up behind the dam. That erosion has caused a number of trees to fall, so I don't think you should have a problem finding firewood if you don't mind searching a bit. Check out my recent photoset. http://www.hikearizona.com/photoset.php?ID=7012 I'm guessing some of the trees may have begun to sprout by now.

You can always check on fire restrictions and rules at the websites for the Tonto National Forest, and/or Coconino National Forest (google). Fossil Creek makes the border between them.

[joebartels]

It's pretty simple. Take the trail down to the creek. Head down stream on the opposite side of the creek. It's maybe ten minutes. Yes my GPS Route ends at the dam