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| Canyoneering | 8.00 Miles |
1,130 AEG |
| | Canyoneering | 8.00 Miles | | | |
| 1,130 ft AEG | | | | |
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| | Canyon Hiking - Non-technical; no rope; easy scrambling; occasional hand use | | B - Up to light current; wading/swimming; possible wet/dry suit |
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| no partners | | Today was just a gift. I had the privilege of hiking the elusive Hog River Rapids.
After getting over an inch of rain the night before on an already saturated landscape, I made a beeline for Hog Canyon expecting a good show at the falls, but I got much more than I could have imagined. Even when the falls are running, the Hog Canyon drainage is typically dry most of the way with an occasional small pool here and there. Today the entire length from the falls to my turnoff on the dirt road was racing white water. It was really something to see and, for the first time, the canyon itself was worthy of the trip, rather than simply a means of getting to the falls.
It was a long, but rewarding day. Water rushing over everything made for very slow progress up the canyon. I wish I could say there was a 'best route' to take, but I'm not sure there is such a thing. I saw a few cairns along the way, but they seem randomly placed and serve no real purpose. The drainage splits apart and comes back together many times and one side is just as good or bad as the other. One thing I can say is to stay in the drainage and away from the sides. The catclaw is vicious and the only safe route is to take your lumps on the rocks and boulders. Often, you will notice what looks like a pretty good trail along the side and you'll want to believe you have somehow stumbled upon the secret bypass route to get around the endless rock hump. It isn't, so don't go there. After taking you some distance from the drainage, the trail 'imposter' will abruptly vanish by dead ending into a forest of catclaw. This leaves you with two options. The first and recommended choice is to simply accept this idea as a complete fail, then return the way you came and start over. If you are stubborn enough to believe you can salvage something of this mistake by trying to bushwack a direct route back to the drainage, you will be richly rewarded with the shredded legs your poor judgment deserves. That said, I should mention that I returned from the day's adventure quite bloody.  So, take my advice (I don't seem to be using it!)
After a great deal of time and effort (not to mention blood), I finally reached the falls. They were spectacular, even at a considerable distance, and well worth the trouble. I didn't stay too long since I spent so much time just getting there. When I was about halfway back down, I realized that the water flow rate had lessened dramatically. In the few hours between the trip up and the trip down, white water had calmed to a steady flow for the most part. Incredible that it could change so much so quickly. Makes the fact that I ever saw it to begin with even luckier than I previously thought. I doubt that I will ever see that again.
If you are so inclined to take a trip up there this week, I'm sure you won't regret it! |
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Wildflowers Observation Isolated
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I'm at home in the wilderness... it's civilization I have problems with! ](https://hikearizona.com/dex2/images/smilies/eusa_wall.gif "Brick wall") |
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