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| Hiking | 8.80 Miles |
861 AEG |
| | Hiking | 8.80 Miles | 4 Hrs 56 Mns | | 2.23 mph |
| 861 ft AEG | 59 Mns Break | | | |
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| no partners | | This weekend, we were looking for somewhere to see fall leaves. Being a little late in the season, all the usual places like Oak Creek Canyon, Lockett Meadow, and Horton Spring trail are too far gone. With a little sleuthing, and using Hike AZ's foliage report, we came across the Bell Trail in the Wet Beaver Creek wilderness. The wilderness is perhaps misnamed--with all the crowds, it certainly didn't feel like wilderness. That being said, we got an earlier start than most people, so there were only about 8 vehicles at the trailhead (as opposed to 40-50 when we got out). Also, just as a side note, most people were very underprepared for this length of hike (like a group of 20 teens starting at 2 PM with no backpacks (meaning no first aid, no emergency gear like headlamps, and probably not much food or water). I was more than a little worried about them.) The sign at the trailhead said that over 120 rescues were performed this summer alone, and I can see why. All that to say, please hike smart and be more prepared than these kids were.
The trail itself is a nice hike, very easy, being an old Jeep road. The elevation gain is only a few hundred feet each way. The fall leaves were just a little too far gone...we were maybe one week late. But then some were still green, so I guess they don't all turn the same time.
When we got to the main junction after 3.5 miles, we did what no one else does and went downstream! After a good 5-10 minutes of hiking downstream, we found this nice area with waterfalls, bright yellow trees, and beautiful red cliffs. That was a lunch stop I'll never forget. No crowds, and just about everything that can make a hike perfect! 
After a nice break there, we went over to "The Crack" and explored another good half hour. In case you're looking at the GPS track and see that I followed the same exact path up there twice, I did. The first time was to explore, the second time to hunt down my missing sunglasses.  No success, so Walmart will be getting my business again!
The hike back to the car passed even quicker than the hike in, with many a good dialogue to keep the mind and soul engaged. The scenery actually improved from a photographic perspective, as the sun in the western sky lit up the valley for nice pictures looking back.
The day was completed not at the trailhead, but after scouting potential river access points for our next Verde River kayaking expedition. Having done the section from Bignotti to Rezzonico twice (once at 300 CFS and once at 5700 CFS [yes, you read that right! It was quite the wild ride!]), we're thinking Tuesday or Wednesday next week, we'll go from Rezzonico Park to Clear Creek. Seems like a nice section with great autumn colors this week! |
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Autumn Foliage Observation Moderate
A little past their peak, but down in Camp Verde and all along the Verde River, they are just about at their peak. |
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Long Canyon |
Dry |
Dry |
| | | Both canyons to the left and right of the main creek were dry. But on the left canyon, there was a pool large enough to filter from. Of course, you'd be a fool to filter from that little pool when you have the whole Beaver Creek to get nice clear water from! :) | | | |
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