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| Camp Creek Falls Loop, AZ | |
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| | Camp Creek Falls Loop, AZ | | | |
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Camp Creek Falls Loop, AZ
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| Hiking | 7.10 Miles |
630 AEG |
| | Hiking | 7.10 Miles | 2 Hrs 49 Mns | | 2.52 mph |
| 630 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no linked trail guides |
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| no partners | | Burntlizard mentioned Camp Creek Falls on a hike a while back as a great destination after rain. I had Saturday morning open, and my rain gauge read .9 inches, so a topo was printed and I was off before dawn.
Caddymob's route description uses the Blue Wash Trailhead, but mentions the "old route" up 12 Mile Wash. From the topo it looked like I could start there and make a counter-clockwise loop heading north to the falls, then following Blue Wash west to the Flagstaff Power Line Road south, and finally Bartlett Dam Road east back to the Taco.
As the sun rose, I could see the snow-capped mountains to the north with their heads in the clouds - a perfect start as I headed up the wash. A light drizzle started and tiny rivulets began forming in the sand and gravel, and I wondered if this would be such a bright idea. About 1 mile in I came across one of those backpacks for dogs half buried in the muck. I pulled it free and checked the contents, only to find a gallon ziplock in each side, filled with cubes of a green compressed plant material. It would be fair to say I am no stranger to baked goods utilizing a particular pungent herb, and I thought at first I had run across a doggy smuggler pack, but a quick sniff confirmed that it more likely was trail mix for a horse (it smelled like hay). I placed it on high ground to give the owner a better chance of recovery, and moved on. At 33.8701 N 111.7976 W I turned left at a fork and headed west until the next fork, where I headed right into the wash that contains Camp Creek Falls. By now the drizzle had brought the water level to about six inches, and even with numerous hops, it was impossible to keep dry. Fortunately the falls were worth it, and I kicked back, snacked, and enjoyed the view. After climbing around for photo ops, I was joined by three lovely girls who were new to hiking. I told them about HAZ, and headed out so they could have the place to themselves for a while.
Following Blue Wash west, I came across a drainage at 33.8741 N 111.8090 W that looked like it would feed right into the power line road, so I took that. Hoof prints in the sand and trails that bypassed tricky sections showed this was a popular route. Soon I was heading south on the power line trail (it hasn't been the width of a road in a long time) and enjoyed the Joshua Trees and snowy peaks in the distance. At 33.8569 N 111.8225 I decided to take another wash southeast to try to spend less time on Bartlett Dam Road. Eventually I hit pavement and a little later the truck. It had taken me an hour and 10 minutes for the 2.37 mile approach to the falls, and an hour and 39 minutes for the 4.72 mile return. A nice alternative loop requiring basic routefinding skills, but no bushwacking for one of the Phoenix areas only seasonal waterfalls. |
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The past, the present, and the future walked into a bar.
It was tense. |
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