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| Hiking | 8.32 Miles |
1,185 AEG |
| | Hiking | 8.32 Miles | 5 Hrs 8 Mns | | 1.82 mph |
| 1,185 ft AEG | 34 Mns Break | | | |
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| partners | | Chivo falls has been a favorite of mine since the mid 60's. There is a west and north route for this hike, This hike will be from the western end. I call it a route because there is no trail, just a connection of FSR and cross country with many variations possible. We hiked in using the route I was shown many years ago and our return trip was along FSR for the most part.
Started the hike on top of the hill along FSR4417 just east of the new parking area for the trail. From the top of the hill rather than follow 4417 we head down hill and reconnect up with 4417 (short cut) then follow 4417 a short distance but when 4417 heads north toward the Chute we head down the hill to reconnect up with 4417 (another short cut). Follow 4417 to the high point, about 1 mile (.2 before Chiva Tank) and head cross country to FSR4405. From here we follow the FSR up to Chivo Falls. On the return Trip we pretty much stayed on 4417 past Chiva Tank and up the chute. I have heard about the Chute but never seen it, figured it was time I check it out.
We did not see anybody all day with the exception of one motor cycle and a few people at the trail Head. FSR4417 is pretty chewed up but looks like there are still off roaders that use it. The last .3 miles to the falls use to be a trail but it is now a mess of off road trails. I guess the .3 miles was too much to walk so they created a hodgepodge of routes to the falls. They can only drive to within 100 yards of the falls because of massive rocks so they do have to walk a bit. Thanks to the massive rocks the falls isn't a parking lot.
Chivo falls had a good flow with a large pool at the bottom. Hasn't changed much in 60 years. Tanque Verde Creek had a light flow but not as much as I expected. Ginny made it across Tanque Verde and Juaquine Creek with out getting wet. The cross country route from 4417 to 4405 was covered in low catclaws that tore at your pants so we opted to just follow 4417 back. Did not see any cattle that are normally grazing this area and is probably the reason the grasses were quite high. Of the many times I have been to the falls this was one of the best, good amount of water but not too much to make access a problem. |
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