HikeArizona.COM

Hi! This is my first summer in Arizona and I'm pretty desperate to get to a swimming hole to cool off. Is anyone interested in hiking to one of the easier destinations listed in the swimming section in the next few weeks? Maybe something like Cibecue Creek? (But I'm open to other ideas.)

It should be noted that while I am anxious and enthusiastic about hiking, I am a newbie and my trail-finding abilities are abyssmal. An easy or moderate hike is probably all I'm up for at this point.

First of all.... Hi and welcome to the forum!

Secondly, this being your first summer AND the fact that you are anxious and enthusiastic about hiking, Please be careful not to overdo it in the heat. Take it slow and allow yourself to adjust to the hot and dry climate.

Thirdly, have fun and share your experiences with us!

Well, Newbie - you picked the wrong summer to start hiking in AZ

With the fire danger so high right now the forest service has closed most of the easily accessible areas (below the mongollon rim) and quite a few above the rim as well.

Go ahead and plan a hike. Set a date, then, give the forest service a call and make sure the trail is still open.

If everything is a go, post a message with the announcement and people will likely be available to go along. I know I wouldn't mind a break at a good swimmin' hole.

Cibecue is on the White Mountain Apache Indian Reservation

I just called, it's open!

And I verified you still buy the pass at the trading post

I have not hit a swimmin hole in way too long. That sounds like a really pleasant thing to do... sigh

So, who's up for Cibeque Creek on Saturday or Sunday, June 29/30?

I read Teva Joe's review saying that swimming is prohibited, but I got the distinct impression that there would be a chance to get our feet wet, even if we couldn't actually swim.

Newbie hiker wrote:So, who's up for Cibeque Creek on Saturday or Sunday, June 29/30?

There is a conflict on the 29th that might cause a deminished response to the hike and that is the First Annual HAZ Chili Shindig.

http://www.hikearizona.com/haz2/viewtopic.php?t=274

I would be iterested in that hike on a different day, but would like to know more about that stretch of scary road you have to traverse to get there. I don't mind ledges when I'm on foot, but somtimes in a vehicle I get real nervous. Joe, could you possibly compare this stretch of road to Fish Creek Hill (upbound)?

just for the record...

This photo was taken before I read the signs

kurthzone wrote:
I would be iterested in that hike on a different day, but would like to know more about that stretch of scary road you have to traverse to get there. I don't mind ledges when I'm on foot, but somtimes in a vehicle I get real nervous. Joe, could you possibly compare this stretch of road to Fish Creek Hill (upbound)?

Sorry Joe I think I was editing while you were posting. Anyway the above is my query.

Oh, the chili shin-dig is on the 29th! Silly me.

The following weekend is July 6. Will this area be too crowded on a holiday weekend?

I don't really know how busy it will be on the 6th. I've only been there once and I had the whole place to myself. It's pretty hot there so summer isn't really the season. However, if you start around 9am it isn't a big deal and you have the water to cool off.

As for the drive in. It's the scarriest thing I've ever driven. That's not kidding either. One wrong move and you're history. Main concern is who ya gonna call? It's on a sliver of land owned by a tiny tribe, the White Salt Apaches or something. It's so small they let the White Apache run it. I don't really understand it, then again I haven't checked it out much!

OK, Joe. You are scaring me. Can I get there in my sedan or do I need to put this hike off until I get that Jeep I've been dreaming about?

It is scarry. Maybe it's been graded since I've been there?

A sedan will make it. What you really want is a NARROW vehicle.

It's a dirt road carved out of the side of a mountain. It's narrow to begin with, but the scarry parts are the wash outs. Going down is the scarry part cause the driver is on the edge. Going up you have thought in mind that you "could" bail out if you started rolling off Not!

Heck it's probably a four lane freeway by now, who knows. I do know it's popular with boat trailers so how bad could it be? Maybe I'm just a woose!

I just read the review. This sounds like a fun short hike and I need a place to try out my Teva's underwater. I'm planning on hitting it the 22nd of June. Let's see what interest is there and round up a few narrow 4x4s. I've got one!

Heck you are gonna scare us all away guys! I have driven down to Cibecue Creek and it wasn't bad at all. It is narrow and windy, but my little four banger made it just fine. I even made it through the creek at the bottom of the trail, but that might qualify me for one of the stupidest things done while hiking bit. The car made it fine, but my undercarriage sure took a big hit from a huge rock. Oops!! Wear shoes you don't mind getting wet because you will have to cross the creek a few times. I might be able to make it the 22nd, anyone else?

snow22_5150 wrote:Heck you are gonna scare us all away

..sssshh
It's really bad

This GEM needs a good rumor or it'll get over used

I am interested, but whether or not I can go depends on whether or not it's going to be a one-day trip or not. I can't do an overnite this weekend.

ooohhhh, maybe. I really have to do a last minute decision on this. I'm sending my children out to Colorado this week and not too sure what this weekend looks like. Please keep an updated post.

There's a Charbucks on Val Vista just South of 60. (There's a better coffee shop a mile further south, Seattle Espresso. ) If we meet and leave from one of these shops at 6am, we should be at the trading post by 9am. This way we can take our time hiking up the creek and still be able to get back to the cars before the afternoon heat.

Hi Newbie,

Welcome to AZ and to HAZ. If you can hold out 'til winter and this dry spell we're having, Arizona will show you the time of your life while hiking around it.

We have river rafted the upper Salt River in this area a couple of times and had a blast. The raft company provides the ride back on this road your talking about and talk about a ride from hell. I thought the river rafting was suppossed to be the scary part, hahaha. Anyhow, it was only scary because of the bus and the driver. I wouldn't be afraid to drive it, just don't look down.

I'm looking at my schedule, the heat and considering it. It sounds fun, yet HOT I'll check in later in the week and see if its still a go and let you know if I can make it.

Kelly