Wolf Creek Falls Photoset • arizona_water • 2017-01-21 • HikeArizona.COM

Wolf Creek Falls, AZ

	2017-01-21
	9 by arizona_water

Wolf Creek Falls

Prescott, AZ

Wolf Creek Falls

Prescott, AZ

XC Skiing	5.17 Miles	744 AEG

XC Skiing	5.17 Miles	2 Hrs 9 Mns	2.79 mph
	744 ft AEG

Linked

linked

Wolf Creek Loop Trail #384

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Note: this gps track and report is essentially a winter/snow route alternative for approaching and descending to Wolf Creek Falls.

SNOW :y:

I wished we had frozen hydrologic events like this more often. After watching the radar all day on Friday, I made the drive up to Prescott with intent of checking at Wolf Creek Falls and then cross country skiing around some of the local FS roads. This was my first time ever going to Prescott, let alone Prescott National Forest. As I drove through the community of Groom Creek, I quickly realized that the Senator Highway's paved segment ends at the turn off for Wolf Creek Road. There were at least 10 inches of snow that had fallen the night before sealing off access to me and my subaru. This was a surprise to me. I had expected to drive the access road all the way to the trailhead for Wolf Creek Falls. I quickly changed plans, parked on the side of the road where the snow-plow had cleared a turn-around area and whipped out the cross country skis! On my way down wolf creek road, I noticed the Hassayampa flowing above the snow level.

As exciting as it is to think about the huge melt/run-off this snow will create, much of it will simply infiltrate local aquifers and not actually make it all the way to the Colorado River. But the lower Hassayampa should be absolutely fun to explore later in the Spring! I stopped once along the road to check out a small cascade and the location reminded me of the many great waterfall captures by @mountainmatt

When I got to the junction for the Falls Trailhead, I assumed I would have to take the skis off and do some walking in my ski boots. But the old road is wide and tree-free, so I just kept on skiing. I eventually reached the final drop down to the water fall, where I did take the skis off and climb down snow-covered boulders to reach my destination. The falls were flowing pretty well. It is facing south and the sun had done some work on the snow cover around the cascade. This is a cool spot. It was great to have it all to myself. yay winter!

Hassayampa River - Upper

Medium flow

Wolf Creek

Medium flow

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- there's nothing like finding Water in the Desert -

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