Fossil Springs

[gblunt]

A few friends and I are heading up early Saturday and are planning to be back in the valley by threeish (wedding to attend). If anyone wants to join in please feel free. It appears to be a good little hike...guess we will find out.
Difficulty:3
Route Finding: 1
Distance Round Trip 7.8 miles
Trailhead Elevation 5580 feet
Elevation Gain -1391 feet
Av Time Round Trip 4 hours

[wallyfrack]

I haven't been to Fossil Springs yet. I'm in.

[gblunt]

I like your attitude Wally.

[Scorpionrider]

Am planning on being there too. Will start around 8 AM. Hoping to see a good group up there.

[Barrett]

Cool water sounds nice. Any estimates on trailhead departure time?

[gblunt]

We would like to leave town by 5:30 or 6:00. That puts us at the trail head at 7:30 or 8:00. Would rather be there at 7:30 but you know how things go.

[te_wa]

that place is going to be steaming on the hike out... semi steep trail gets a lot of the weekend warriors into trouble, since temps will be (normally) in low hundreds.
Of course, this problem can be adressed by having a post-hike chocolate malt at the Beeline Cafe in Payson.

you might expect some good rain showers after noon or so.

[wallyfrack]

We hiked out of Peters Canyon at noon 3 weeks ago. That was Hot! This one might get uncomfortable but we'll bring lots of water.

[hikeaz]

Great place - I love Fossil...

It might be a thought to take some Aqua Mira, or even a filter in with you - carrying water into Fossil is like taking ants to a picnic. Although it may be a thought to stash a quart on the way in.

If y'all still have a little energy after the hike and are up for horseshoes or volleyball, try the Rimside Grill in Pine - it's the last business on the south end, west side.

Have fun!

[Hoffmaster]

that place is going to be steaming on the hike out... semi steep trail gets a lot of the weekend warriors into trouble, since temps will be (normally) in low hundreds.
you might expect some good rain showers after noon or so.

I went to Fossil Springs last Saturday with a friend. The clouds came in early and kept the temps relatively low. The hike out was not too bad. We hiked from the dam to the parking lot in about 1hour and 15 minutes. We were sweating but it wasn't bad. I know, because I hate the heat.
The parking lot had about a billion cars in it when we got there. I don't know where everyone was, but hardly anyone was at the dam. For some reason, the flow seems a bit stronger than this time last year. Good times.

For those that are going this weekend: Don't be like some people that I have met this past Saturday and a few weeks ago. It seems that a lot of people get to the DRY creekbed and turn around thinking there is no water. Walk across the creekbed and follow the trail about 300 yds downstream. It'll take you to the spring and more water than you can imagine.

[hikeaz]

FYI - From Today's Republic....

Help clean up Fossil Creek
Water in desert attracts more than wildlife
Shaun McKinnon
The Arizona Republic
Jul. 27, 2007 12:00 AM

One of the things about water in the desert is that it attracts not just wildlife, but people. Find a river or a stream or a lake in Arizona and you'll find groups of people - or at least evidence of those people - seeking refuge from the dry lands.

That's what happened at Fossil Creek, whose full flow was restored about two years ago when the Arizona Public Service Co. decommissioned the Childs and Irving power plants. The water gave up its secret: the aquamarine falls, the travertine pools, the cottonwood stands and meadows.

And you know what comes with people.


To help preserve Fossil Creek in its restored condition, the Arizona Wilderness Coalition, the Sierra Club and several other groups are holding a clean-up day on Saturday. It's a three-hour drive from the Valley, so participants should expect a long day.

For details, contact Sandy Bahr with the Sierra Club at sandy.bahr@sierraclub.org

[gblunt]

Weather conditions are looking bad. Severe thunder storms and rain predicted along with flash flood warnings in the local area. Might not be a good weekend to go...going to check the reports one more time in the morning, but I might be bugging out.

[wallyfrack]

I agree. I don't want to drive 100 miles and turn back because of a storm. Another day...

[te_wa]

BROWN'S PEAK

[wallyfrack]

BROWN'S PEAK

Are you going up Browns Peak tomorrow?

[te_wa]

naw, I just think its a nice option. Although totally unrelated. Tomorrow I have to stay home

[Dschur]

Well we had lots of rain here in Payson today and it looked like that area of Fossil Springs got more. Hopefully everyone decided not to go because that road can be bad in there in the rain.

[Barrett]

I decided to chance the rain, but also made the decision to take the scenic route FR 708. Pretty drive, added almost an hour, the worst, most consistent washboard I have ever seen. Arrived trailhead 8:03, figured I missed the group, so went to the Sierra Club cleanup. Good time, good people. Checked out Tonto Natural Bridge on the way back, crowded but AWESOME. Would love to go back without the crowds, winter perhaps?

[gblunt]

I still want to hike this trail, so I'm game when anyone else is.

[Hoffmaster]

I'm heading down there this coming Saturday (8/04). I should be down at the dam by 1 pm or so. I will be staying overnight also. It should be a good time!