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| Graver Wash - Apache Creek - FR 95B - FR 95A, AZ | |
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| | Graver Wash - Apache Creek - FR 95B - FR 95A, AZ | | | |
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Graver Wash - Apache Creek - FR 95B - FR 95A, AZ
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| Hiking | 14.61 Miles |
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| | Hiking | 14.61 Miles | 6 Hrs 24 Mns | | 2.28 mph |
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| no partners | | I've been wanting to get out to Apache Creek for a while but I thought the access would be tricky due to the private property along Walnut Creek Rd. I came out here a few weeks prior and hiked up the hill in the northwest corner of the wilderness boundary but once the dogs and I got to the top, descending the steep, rocky, cactus covered south slope did not seem appealing. We ended up hiking along the South Fork of Walnut Creek which was beautiful and flowing nicely for most of its length. On the drive home I took a detour up FR 95 to see if there was access towards Apache Creek and check the road condition. FR 95 is in good condition and easily passible in a 2002 Honda CRV.
So I returned and was eager to explore Apache Creek. I parked at a small pullout (34.90213, -112.85529) off of FR 95A when the road became too rough. The short hike to the Graver Wash Trail and down the Graver Wash Trail to Apache Creek was filled with Pinyon Pine and was very pleasant. Apache Creek is the eastern boundary of the wilderness and gets lots of use from cattle ](https://hikearizona.com/dex2/images/smilies/eusa_wall.gif "Brick wall") . I didn't see any cows on this day but we saw plenty of cow poop.
The Apache Creek trail crossed the creek several times but was never too hard to follow. Once the trail leaves the creek there is less sign of cattle use and more granite outcrops. We took a break on a large low angle granite slab right off the trail about a mile northeast of Granite Knob. There were great view of Juniper Mesa to the north, Walnut Creek and the ranches along it to the east, and Hyde Mountain to the south. There was more cattle sign near the south end of the trail as we neared Hyde Creek. We took FR 95B and 95A on the way back and saw Upper Hyde Spring. It's hard to miss since it is in the middle of FR 95B. |
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On the first part of the journey
I was looking at all the life
There were plants and birds and rocks and things
There was sand and hills and rings |
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