| |
|
| | |
|
| Hiking | 6.70 Miles |
1,135 AEG |
| | Hiking | 6.70 Miles | 4 Hrs | | 2.01 mph |
| 1,135 ft AEG | 40 Mns Break | | | |
|
|
| |
| Linked |
|
none
[ show ]
| no linked trail guides |
| Partners |
|
[ show ]
| partners | | Could have hung around camp or tried paddling up river but opted to do this hike with Wendy and a few other canoers of our ABC Meetup. We really didn't know much about the hike except based on the map it looked to be around 5 miles RT. So off we went.
You head back toward AZ Hot Springs and then hang a left at the leprechaun's hangout (long story there)below the arch. Instead of going into the slot canyon you head up the hill toward the river. It's a nice quick climb and when you come to the top, you head right to continue on the trail. However, we headed out to a bluff overlooking the river first. There were a couple of those big powered rafts making their way up the river.
We continued on our hike down to a little cove, alongside the river and then thru a campsite (had some boyscouts, well a lot of boyscouts). Eventually the area opens up and you veer to the right (east) to head up the canyon. We had no idea what to expect and needless to say were pleasantly surprised as we meandered our way up this ever-changing slotted canyon.
We had one fellow along with us who seemed to be the rock whisperer as he would find the coolest rocks. There was some colorful flora scatterd about and the rockery would change colors as well. You come upon this one section where the canyon probably gets its name as there are various groupings of the most beautiful granite rocks and boulders.
We encountered quite a few hikers on their way down the canyon. Some of them looked more casual than others so we figured the trail couldn't be too hard  . I thot we would eventually have to climb a tall hill to get to the highway but that really never materialized as I guess the grade of the canyon going up was such that it slowly took you higher than you thot.
We had wanted to do the loop but it was getting warm and we didn't really have much in the way of water if we got lost as we really hadn't planned a long hike on this canoe trip. Plus we really didn't know the way even based on the map we had it looked somewhat tenuous. So we stopped at the trailsign to the south of 93 and headed back more or less the way we came.
The canyon was as impressive going back this way as the way we came. We saw different things and some of the same things differently. Lil went up and checked the trail to the Liberty Arch but it was really too far for today. It's on the list to remember for next time. She also checked out a tall alcove as well.
On the way back, someone had carefully lined up these straight up and down rock cairns. It really was quite creative. They only did it around this one corner in a nice row. As we got closer to leaving the somewhat shaded walls of the canyon and hit the open terrain along the river, it was really starting to get warm.
Once we got back into camp the invasion was beginning... and it was boy scouts. Many,many boy scouts plus a couple smaller groups. Surprisingly, this beach and two canyons could handle it all but I shudder to think how it will recover from so MANY, MANY people. Someone counted 52 canoes. The boy scouts had stacked theirs about 4 high... and later that evening, they re-stacked them  higher up on the beach as they feared the river would rise too high.
Many folks came to see what all the commotion was about as it was not something you expect to hear in the evening on this beach. It was a loud nite but not nearly as loud as the evening before when the karaoke group with the amp were having their talent singing show. OMG 
You probably want to make sure the quality setting is HD 1080 as I was using my older camera/different format for movies -
Arizona Hot Springs (3:21min): http://youtu.be/iM5mJQJYd6o?=hd1
First part of hike to White Rock Canyon: http://youtu.be/GKLBpb8y-A0?=hd1
Second part of White Rock Canyon hike: http://youtu.be/WMt6_6iyx3c?=hd1 |
|
Wildflowers Observation Isolated
|
|
| _____________________
For me, sometimes it's just as much about the journey as the destination.
Oh, and once in awhile, don't forget to look back at the trail you've traveled. |
| | |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Route Editor
Route Scout
