Hardscrabble Creek Photoset • MountainMatt • 2018-12-01 • HikeArizona.COM

Hardscrabble Creek, AZ

	2018-12-01
	12 by MountainMatt

Hardscrabble Creek, AZ

Hiking	6.96 Miles	1,803 AEG

Hiking	6.96 Miles	4 Hrs 51 Mns		1.53 mph
	1,803 ft AEG	18 Mns Break	35 LBS Pack

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Followed the legends footsteps on this one down into the unforgiving abyss of Harsdscrabble.

Labor intensive boulder hooping and consistent elevation drop all the way down to the confluence of the true creek.
Which is also where the perennial water begins and a dense and dreamy desert riparian zone soon form.

The creek was running with cool crystal water that poured into beautiful dark black tannin filled pools.
I found a couple incredible campsite areas that are truly ideal in a otherwise very rugged place with minimal options.

I wasn’t planning on climbing back out the way I came since the reverse way would have been brutal especially with the 30ft dryfall obstacle.
I liked the way this particular corner ridge looked and on maps it appeared doable so I gave it another visual check and went for it.

Besides the unforgiving amounts of scrub oak, manzanita and everything in between that was in the way there were a few class 3 climbs that were a little dicey at times but manageable.
May or may not have kissed the ground when I got to the top of the rim, cracked a well earned Obsidian Stout and enjoyed the relatively flat walk back to the truck in the sprinkling rain.

The mighty Hardscrabble Canyon from where I climbed out...
[ youtube video ]

Autumn Foliage Observation Moderate
Oaks, Sycamores, Cottonwoods a bit past prime overall but still some great hot spots and dense leaf litter carpets.

Hardscrabble Canyon

Light flow

	Hardscrabble Creek	Light flow	Light flow
	Flowing water begins at the upper fork confluence and creates a thriving riparian paradise.

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