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| Hiking | 4.00 Miles |
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| | Hiking | 4.00 Miles | 6 Hrs | | 0.80 mph |
| 1 Hour Break | 15 LBS Pack | | |
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| no partners | | On Monday, April 19, 2021, I finished a hike in the Workman Creek to the base of the falls near Workman Creek Road, FR487, in the Sierra Ancha Wilderness.
I had tried to do this hike six months ago, Oct.19, 2020, but I stopped short; beneath the bridge with the cement barriers. It was my first time in the creek. I began the hike too far back; I did not bring pruning tools; and I ran out of time and energy.
On this trip, I drove and parked north of the Cascade Recreation Site; I brought a lopper; I left home earlier and I brought some Gatorade.
Before I discuss the details of the creek hike, I must mention my side trip along FR489. It is a 3+ mile road that leads to a trail near Asbestos Point and Zimmerman Peak. I had watched a video that showed the road to be rough. I parked the car and began hiking south along the road. After hiking about a mile I had gained 800+ feet to an elevation of 5,350'. I noticed water running across the road. It came from a half circle rock formation on the southwest side of the road. it was also at this point that the road became much more rugged. I decided to turn back. I could drive my Jeep Liberty to this point, but I would need to check out the rest of the road another time. There were other interesting features along this one-mile stretch. I'll post photos.
I drove north along AZ288 a few more miles to FR487; then past Cascade, and parked the vehicle. I walked up the road to the first bridge and back. I re-located the jeep a little farther up. I dropped down into the creek and began the hike towards the falls. There were some pleasant portions of the wash; some not so. I encountered overhanging branches, raspberry bushes, and monster fallen trees with which to contend. But I already knew that from my previous hike. I decided to take my time and enjoy the experience.
It took two hours to reach my turn around point from last October. If you are familiar with the drive to the falls, it is a short distance from the first guarded bridge to the actual falls pull-off and overlook. That was not the case down in the wash below. I admit that I took frequent breaks from start to finish. I estimate, by way of photo and video details that it took about 45 minutes for me to hike directly below the falls from the first bridge. But, I did get there.
What awesome sights and sounds from down under! "Snow? Is that snow I see here?" Indeed it was! I soaked in my surroundings, rested, and pondered the return route. I could take the arduous hike back through the wash (ain't now way) or find the best way to ascend the steep slippery slope to the safety of the road above. I chose the latter (ladder).
I began following a worn path up through loose rocks. That did not last long. I had to take a controlled slide down for about 20 feet. I took another look and decided to hike (crawl) up diagonally, while grabbing anything I could to keep from sliding back down. The higher I climbed the more bushes, boulders, and tree limbs I found to steady my ascent. It took me over 30 minutes to place my feet on the dirt road, actually, my knees first. I was relieved!
The walk back to the jeep allowed me to decompress, and the drive home was restful.
If I were to do another hike to below the falls I may choose this hike's ascent route to make the descent instead of hiking the wash. Have any of you done this? If so, how did you get there? |
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