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| Hiking | 8.75 Miles |
1,785 AEG |
| | Hiking | 8.75 Miles | 4 Hrs | | 2.19 mph |
| 1,785 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | We started the day thinking we were going to hike down Pivot Rock Canyon, but ended up finding Fossil Springs as a backup plan. When we got about half a few minutes into the Pivot Rock hike we found it was a very steep trail down and it had been raining a lot during the last few weeks. The trail down was wet and it didn't look like a good idea, especially with the dog. We heading out after only about 30 minutes in the area and went to look for somewhere else.
Luckily, the handy dandy cell phone with internet and HikeArizona.com available and we were able to find a close hike that looked interesting. Fossil Springs.
The 1300+ foot descent starts out easy, following a wide, easy road. The whole way down is pretty easy and we even mentioned the hike was a good hike for beginners. We saw 4 or 5 groups/families on our way down as they were heading up. We smiled and said hello, but none of them seems so happy. We would find out why later. The hike down took about an hour and a half with a few short stops for water and a breather. It was easy, but it was getting pretty warm. I think it got to the mid to upper 80's.
Once down to the springs it was very nice. Cool running water and some shady areas to sit. We only saw 2 other people there during the hour or so we spent. Sahara (the dog) loved the water and jumping around in it. I shoved her into a deeper area to cool her down and she swam out to the side. This is a very nice area and on a cooler day with more time we could have easily spent hours walking around and swimming.
Now to the hike out. I nightmare! Because we originally didn't plan on this hike, we really weren't prepared. We had only 6 bottles of water for the two adults and dog combined. By the time it was time to hike out we probably had 2 or 3 left. We did fill up a couple of bottles with the spring water, but it really didn't look like it was too clean. But in an emergency, I'm sure it would do the job.
The hike out was the complete opposite of the hike down. If I was smart enough (or experienced enough) I would have figured this out earlier. 1300+ feet down means 1300+ feet up later. With minimal water and the temperature at its peak, it was not fun. A little more than half way out and we were out of water, including the spring water that we gave to the dog, and I was getting cramps in my legs. After a couple of stops to try and get the legs cramps to stop, we remembered we had Propel powder in our bag. I ate a dry powder pack just to get the potassium out of it. It seemed to help a little, but the next steep climb area got the cramps going again. After two and a half hours we finally made it out, but it was not easy.
All in all it was a very nice hike and destination. I would caution others, especially beginners like us, to be prepared for this one. This is not a hike for out of shape people and probably not the best for the Summer heat. Spring and early fall would be my recommendation. But most of all, bring lots of water. We will definitely return more prepared. |
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