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| Hiking | 9.90 Miles |
2,067 AEG |
| | Hiking | 9.90 Miles | 5 Hrs 12 Mns | | 2.79 mph |
| 2,067 ft AEG | 1 Hour 39 Mns Break | 8 LBS Pack | | |
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| partners | | This was a great hike and one of the most rewarding regardless of crowds. The aqua blue water is amazing.
We were first stopped on the turn in from Camp Verde by a ranger. He asked what we were doing and gave us a map. He advised the road was closed at the Flume trail head so we could not start from the fossil springs side. This was our alternate anyway. We were also advised of the exposure (the whole I hike I couldn't stop saying to myself "I have hiked the valley in August, I was born in exposure").
The dirt road is very bumpy and makes for slow going. It seems like normal old high desert all the way until you turn the bend to the bridge. The view from the bridge almost made me cry for two reasons. It was beautiful and there were piles of people. Luckily this was not our spot. We continued up to the trail head which again was packed with cars. There was enough room however that you could get away from everyone if you wanted. All the close spots however were packed with people. Maybe 50 - 100 people in all.
Just a note to wait and put your boots on. You need to cross the water right at the start off the parking lot and your feet will get wet.
After crossing the water the crowd faded quickly as the trail heads up the ridge. It is a pretty good push up to elevation but completely doable by even a novice. I can see how we were advised it was exposed but I would take this exposure over the 26 miles I did in Cave Creek only a few weeks earlier. There were plenty of shaded areas to take a break. I would do this hike in August with promise of water at the end. Looking at maps it looks there is water all year.
After what did not felt like very long we crossed through a fenced area and started our decent. After awhile we came to the Dam/Water fall. Again it was crowded. Far less people but not private by any means. The views were fantastic. I so wanted to get into the water but didn't want to be crowded. We poked around a bit and found one of the most beautiful swimming holes I have ever seen. Other than the slob who pooped in the corner it was perfect.
The water was cold at first but we quickly became acclimated. The fish were fearless and I could have just let them swim in my hand and grab them if I wanted. The water was nice and just shallow enough I could walk along the bottom. After about an hour of swimming and not seeing anyone we were getting ready to leave and two groups of people and two separate rangers stopped in. The rangers were making sure we weren't camping. Too bad I can't camp here but glad others can't  .
The walk back was the same. Awesome views and a mostly great experience. I am however saddened by the level of disrespect for nature. The site near the parking lot was left a mess. I know this is not something people on this site would be doing but please, please do not destroy nature for others to appreciate. There are ways to have fun and explore without ruining it for everyone else.
Last note is that there was more traffic than expected on the drive out, people with big trucks like to pass on a one lane dirt road even when there are multiple vehicles in front of you and finally when someone is following on a dirt road these same trucks like to drive in such a way to create even more dust....so the hike was great :P |
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Wildflowers Observation Isolated
Scattered flowers but agave spikes everywhere. |
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