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| Hiking | 2.68 Miles |
705 AEG |
| | Hiking | 2.68 Miles | 1 Hour 35 Mns | | 1.69 mph |
| 705 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | While I was at the City of Rocks (about 2 hours southeast), the volunteer at the visitor center recommended this hike to me as I travelled back to Flagstaff (from Deming, NM). A quick google search told me it was just off the 180, so that was my plan.
I'm glad I did this hike, it was really interesting. I didn't have much information when I set out, but I thought I remembered the trail signs saying it was 2.25 miles to the end of the Whitewater Canyon...The signs also mentioned bear and cougar potential, and tips in case of an encounter.
The primary "catwalk" is only about .5 miles from parking lot and is easy and surprisingly lengthy...suspect 30-50 yards of overall "catwalk" length and you are suspended anywhere from 10-30 feet above the flowing creek. Several 5-10 foot waterfalls are along the way. It was very cool.
At the end of the catwalk, I was confused on if/how to proceed, but saw plenty of footprints. I saw a "trail closure" sign on main trail so instead, followed footprints/trail down to the creek-bed. (Looking up about 50', I could see remnants of an older catwalk that had been taking-out by a rockslide...) One could see the trail continue on the other side of the creek, and people were planting rocks/logs to cross.
I passed one miserable soul that had fallen into the creek while crossing, and was soaking wet, from chest down (was about 35-40 degrees in the narrow canyon). He advise me to turn around, but I could tell he was a green-horn and just mad - I pressed on. I found another "local" who had done this hike before and she said it did continue, but she wasn't quite sure how far; I followed her and her partner a bit. She then got to a point where they couldn't cross and set-up to eat their lunch, I was able to use my longer legs to leap across the creek and continue. By this point, it was mid-afternoon and I was completely alone. I ventured another 1/4 mile or so and found some more bridges/anchors, etc...there where still footprints (in the snow) but they were becoming faint. I followed them up the side of the creek and the route started to get exposed (along with slippery ice and snow). Better judgement got the best of me and I didn't want to risk death or broken bones with no-one else was around, so I turned back - figured I had some harrowing creek crossing in front of me, and I'd rather risk getting wet than being injured in a distant canyon w/zero cell service.
Was a fun little adventure and I'd definitely recommend this hike to all!! Would love to return in the spring/summer and get to the finish line... |
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Route Editor
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