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| Barnhardt - Mazzy - Rock Creek Waterfall Loop, AZ | |
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| | Barnhardt - Mazzy - Rock Creek Waterfall Loop, AZ | | | |
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Barnhardt - Mazzy - Rock Creek Waterfall Loop, AZ
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| Hiking | 21.18 Miles |
5,158 AEG |
| | Hiking | 21.18 Miles | 8 Hrs 2 Mns | | 2.86 mph |
| 5,158 ft AEG | 38 Mns Break | | | |
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| no partners | | I headed out to see some of the ephemeral waterfalls after the big storms the past few weeks before the drought takes over again. I considered a few options but decided to visit Sandy Saddle/Deadman Falls since I'd only seen them trickling in the past, and a big loop that included Rock Creek would make for a fun day and should have plenty of water.
I set out from Barnhardt at 7AM, and the trail was moist to downright wet right off the bat, a good sign for flow at the falls later. There was lots of water flowing down in Barnhardt Canyon, Hawaiian Mist had more water than I'd ever seen, and Big Kahuna was also flowing nicely. [ youtube video ]
As soon as I left Barnhardt and connected with Mazatzal Divide, the trail was a muddy swamp past Chilson Spring, with standing water and algae in places. That continued on and off to varying degrees for most of the loop. There were a few smaller falls in the drainages on the way to Sandy Saddle/Deadman, and the creek bed that feeds Sandy Saddle was full of water [ youtube video ] . I made my way to an overlook where I could see both falls and took my first food/water break there. That spot was about as good as it gets, with the sound of flowing water and incredible views of both falls and down into Deadman Canyon. [ youtube video ]
I wandered upstream a little toward Horse Camp Seep and then got back on Mazatzal Divide, which remained nicely cleared in most places but was occasionally soggy. Rock Creek Trail was very wet and muddy, especially below Hopi Spring. I'd never hiked that part of the trail, and it was steeper and rockier than I expected. The brush was cleared reasonably well...a few overgrown areas and more muddy stretches higher up, but not too bad. I debated detouring over to peaks 7559 and 7571 but decided to just stick to the loop. Rock Creek Falls were also flowing better than I'd ever seen them. I took another short break there above the falls, then scrambled down to get the view of the double falls from below.
Rock Creek Upper: [ youtube video ]
Rock Creek Lower: [ youtube video ]
After the steep but scenic descent leaving the falls, I paused again briefly at Rock Creek Trailhead before finishing the loop on Half Moon Trail, the only trail today that was completely new to me. Again, brush wasn't much on an issue, just occasional overgrowth. The trail itself has a little of everything and passes through manzanita/catclaw, briefly follows a two-track, traverses narrow ridgeline for a while, drops into forest and crosses a creek, then leads through open desert/grazing land, then a final crossing at Barnhardt Creek just before the trailhead.
I finished at 3PM...there were two other vehicles it the lot, but I hadn't seen anyone all day. Not much wildlife, either--a few deer and a tarantula. The forecast said clear today, but clouds hung around all day--never too threatening, but they did provide some sporadic shade, and the temperature was comfortable from start to finish. Nice day to be out enjoying the effects of those rare tropical storm remnants--this choice certainly didn't disappoint. |
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Garden Seep |
Gallon per minute |
Gallon per minute |
| |  Steady flow |
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Hopi Spring |
Quart per minute |
Quart per minute |
| | | Spring box full and overflowing | | | |
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