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I am planning a hike down the newly reflowing Fossil Creek between the Childs access road and the Verde River. Has any one done this? Any pools for swimming? Waterfalls? Hazards? Obstacles?

Thanks

I recently emailed tonto national forest to ask if the flume road was open, and they said that everything, including the flume road and fossil creek, is closed from childs where the flume ends to the start of the flume. So basically all the newly flowing parts. Either way, it's still worth it to hike the fossil springs trail down and swim in all the amazing swimming holes upstream from the dam, particularly the one about a half mile upstream with the best rope swing I have ever seen.

I spoke to the ranger's office a couple weeks ago and it doesn't sound like a good time to go. The first issue is that the trail through there is actually closed. I guess SRP is giving back some land, and there is construction going on to remove equipment. I'm not sure of the specifics, but the lady at the ranger's station strongly urged me to try it at another time.

Another issue is the marijuana growth out there. Hikers spotted four men with machine guns out there about a year ago. The marijuana was supposedly all cleaned out, and there haven't been any reports since then, but I was told I should be aware.

Some better alternates include the Wet Beaver Wilderness and the West Clear Creek Wilderness. Both supposedly have plenty of water and some great swimming holes.

You might want to call the Red Rock Ranger District. They have some great info. and were very eager to help.

Good luck with whatever you decide!

They are actually removing the flume, which was what I actually would use to hike back there... illegally... but it was so convenient compared to the flume road.

right, all those pebbles and that one pot hole... sheeese

Not really the road itself, mostly the fact that where the road would stay on the mountain and curve around, the flume would just go straight across which would undeniably save time (I didn't really go for the hike, I went for the swimming and wanted to optimize swimming time). But it obviously isn't much of a worry anymore now that the flume is gone so I will just go in on the springs trail like every other respectable hiker. There...

can you still walk from the top of the steep hill down into fossil springs? I was planning to go there this weekend

Yes you can still hike in via the regular Fossil Springs trail. Not a bad trail IMO, fun place. There is a large swimming pool above the dam with a little rope swing on the other side. A short hike and you can go play around by the dam, huge rope swing there, even a spot you can swim under an underwater arch and climb out the other side. There were a good 15 people when I went at the end of last year, not sure if it was legal or not, but no one seemed to care.

it's not "legal" below the dam, I got kicked out

I'd recommend checking with the Forest Service it may have changed

Lots of comments about the area around the spring, dam and Irving but I am interested in the canyon downstream of the road, towards the Verde River, the part of Fossil Creek that is in the Mazatal Wilderness in the Tonto N.F.

In particular the section that runs parallel to the ridge "Ikes Backbone" from the southern point of the ridge to just north of Stehr Lake. Any info, knowledge, or experiences? There are no closures in this section of the creek except for fishing according to the Payson Ranger station and the Tonto N.F. Website current conditions page.

In response to TM1ssKDMac's reply:

Check out the Deadman Mesa trail. This trail starts off of a jeep trail not to far from the Fossil Springs trail (the canyon trail, not the flume) and drops down to fossil creek a mile or so ?(it's been a while since I've been out there) above the confluence with the Verde. The jeep trail is rough and the trail is a little hard to follow in some places doesn't go where the maps say it should in some places and is very exposed and hot this time of year, but if the road past Irving is closed, this may be a good alternative for you. PM me if you want more details.

First post by the way, so, hey everybody!

Oops. I see my first post is months outdated. That's a good start. Ah well, maybe somebody else will find it useful.