Redfield Canyon to Swamp Springs Canyon • Hike • Arizona • All Triplogs • HikeArizona.COM

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Nov 25 2023

00blackout

Routes 31
Photos 4,724
Triplogs 187

50 male

Joined Mar 14 2016
Gold Canyon, AZ

Redfield Canyon to Swamp Springs Canyon

Tucson, AZ

Redfield Canyon to Swamp Springs Canyon

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Nov 25 2023
		00blackout • Triplogs 187

Hiking	6.11 Miles	1,211 AEG

Hiking	6.11 Miles	4 Hrs 44 Mns	1.29 mph
	1,211 ft AEG

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adilling

Nearly a year ago to the day Andy and I headed down south to Redfield Canyon to see fall colors and to visit the old cliff house in the canyon. The colors were nearly at peak last year at this time so we headed down on Saturday for another visit. After a 3 hour drive we pulled up to the cold, rainy TH, looked down into the canyon and instantly realized mother nature threw us a curve ball. Most all of the trees were green or just starting to turn a little yellow. It was nothing like the colors we saw last year; we were a week or two early this time. We had driven 3 hours to get there, so we put on the rain gear and headed down. The trail down into the canyon is pretty well marked, but just a bit slippery with the rain. Headed downstream at the bottom to check out the cliff house. After checking out the house we headed upstream a couple of miles to the Swamp Springs Canyon junction, took a break and started back. The rain was off and on most of day but finally let up and the sun came out on our way back. While the colors in the canyon were not at peak it is still a very beautiful and tranquel place. Bummed we were too early for colors, but still a good day to get out.

Autumn Foliage Observation Light

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Hiking is just walking where it’s okay to pee.

Nov 25 2023

adilling

Guides 2
Routes 267
Photos 9,816
Triplogs 402

62 male

Joined Dec 02 2014
Mesa, AZ

Redfield Canyon to Swamp Springs Canyon

Tucson, AZ

Redfield Canyon to Swamp Springs Canyon

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Nov 25 2023
		adilling • Triplogs 402

Hiking	6.25 Miles	1,243 AEG

Hiking	6.25 Miles	4 Hrs 48 Mns	1.45 mph
	1,243 ft AEG	29 Mns Break

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00blackout

Route Recorded on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX

Another trip down to an awesome area. Jason and I visited here the same time last year and were treated to a pretty amazing color show. The trees were peaking. So, we figured we would head down here again and explore the area a little more. My son, Johnny, also joined us.

The forecast called for morning showers and partly cloudy skies. The drive down from Mesa/Gold Canyon is a long 3 hours, with about an hour of that along a pretty rough dirt road. The conditions were worse than the visit last time around.

We started down under light steady showers. Once the view of the canyon below became clear, we were greeted with lots of green trees, with some yellow mixed in. The peak down here is still weeks away.

The plan was to hike down, go see the stone house and then hike up to Swamp Springs and see how it looks after that.

The house is looking about the same. Some signs of camping activity and recent fires in the hearth. After looking around the house we started back up the canyon.

The sycamore trees were turning orange and many of them had already dropped there leaves. The cottonwoods were a mixed bag. Some all green, others yellow and many a mix of both.

There were not many pools heading down towards the house, but the higher up we went, the more pools we found and we came across a little running water here and there.

This place reminds me of Aravaipa Canyon. They are similar in many aspects. The biggest difference is the usual running water in Aravaipa. I imagine this place is even more amazing with running streams.

We made it up to the Swamp Springs and had a snack break. We started noticing larger clumps of poison ivy and decided it was a good place to turn around. The rain had mostly stopped and the sun was even making an appearance here and there.

The hike back up is a steep one, but short. We saw a Tacoma at the trailhead when we started, but it was gone when we arrived back. Another group arrived and started down as we were leaving. Last year, it was crowded with hunters and hikers. This time around, we basically had the place to ourselves.

I will come back to this cool area again. Maybe time it with some water running or when the leaves are peaking again.

_____________________

"Jobs fill your pockets, adventures fill your soul."

instagram: @andydilling

Dec 03 2022

ShatteredArm

Guides 12
Routes 192
Photos 863
Triplogs 356

42 male

Joined Nov 30 2015
Phoenix, AZ

Redfield Canyon to Swamp Springs Canyon

Tucson, AZ

Redfield Canyon to Swamp Springs Canyon

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Dec 03 2022
		ShatteredArm • Triplogs 356

Hiking	6.00 Miles	1,131 AEG

Hiking	6.00 Miles	3 Hrs 30 Mns	2.12 mph
	1,131 ft AEG	40 Mns Break

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Got a small group together to check out Redfield Canyon for the first time. Biggest concern was that the weather forecast had been trending towards a wetter solution, which meant higher risk of getting stuck, and possibility of runoff. Dropped a vehicle a couple hundred feet up the 4x4 road from Cascabel Road, then made our way in my Jeep to the TH. The road wasn't too terrible, but there was at least one obstacle that most stock vehicles might struggle with.

Pulled up to the TH just as the weather started turning, and there was actually a little big of lightning in the area as we started the descent. That passed quickly, and it was just regular rain on-and-off the rest of the outing (nothing terribly heavy). Cottonwoods and sycamores were bright yellow, maybe a bit past their peak but still vibrant.

Started off heading downstream, followed a good track all the way down to the cliff house. I had seen pictures, but the place still impressed. What a killer vacation home that must have been!

After hanging out there for a little while, we headed back upstream, and spent a few minutes investigating an old dam in a side drainage just downstream from the entry/exit point. Continued upstream for a ways, but the path peters out a few hundred feet upstream. We went as far as Swamp Springs Canyon, and then up a couple hundred feet to a nice little pool.

Hike out was uneventful, the drive out a little less so. Road had turned a little slick, but luckily not enough to cause a serious problem. The real rain started around the time we got to Oracle or so.

Autumn Foliage Observation Moderate
Still a lot of bright yellow on the cottonwoods and sycamores.

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Dec 01 2022

markthurman53

Guides 187
Routes 989
Photos 12,068
Triplogs 864

72 male

Joined Jun 27 2015
Tucson, Arizona

Redfield Canyon Cliff house, AZ

Hiking		Dec 01 2022
		markthurman53 • Triplogs 864

Hiking	5.20 Miles	759 AEG

Hiking	5.20 Miles	4 Hrs 9 Mns	1.42 mph
	759 ft AEG	30 Mns Break

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Redfield Canyon to Swamp Springs Canyon

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mamakatt22

I have been wanting to get back into Redfield Canyon in the Galiuros for over 40 years. When I was there last there was no direct route to get there, the two roads had locked gates. Recently someone posted a hike that did just what I wanted to do. The road south of Redfield Canyon leads to the Trail head for the Cliff House. Last time I was there we took the road on the north side to just above the cliff house and hiked up Redfield Canyon to Jackson Cabin. I think we had to drive up a wash and enter the north side road to bypass the gate, been a long time ago and I just can't seem to recall. Anyway I'm back.

The trail down to the cliff house is well defined and looks to get some use. Steep trail down to the creek but it's short, .7 miles and 600 feet elevation. Once in the canyon we headed downstream toward the cliff house. Parts of the route are defined other sections you just take the best route. Hard to maintain a trail in a creek since they get reset after the monsoons. Can't get lost though since you are bounded on either side of the creek by cliffs. About 1 mile downstream on the northside is the cliff house. Looks the same as it did 40 years ago. Someone has done some work restoring the house and looks like a maid comes in every so often to sweep and clean. The Refrigerator is still there just has a few bullet holes in the door. There is a log book in the front room for you to sign in. Quite an amazing house.

After the cliff house we headed up stream to Swamp Spring Canyon. We were just short by .4 miles from making it to Swamp Spring Canyon, had to turn around as we had a long drive out and back to Tucson. The Cottonwood and Sycamore were in full color. One of the best show of color I have ever seen not counting the Aspens of Santa Fe. Not just Yellow though also a golden brown from the Sycamore Trees. The creek had a light flow but easy to cross.

At the trail head deer hunters had pitched tents and had been there for at least a week. I had come in from Benson and thought I might return via Redington Pass but they highly recommended taking the Benson route back since the pass can be quite rough. The road from Benson is paved for about 13 miles of the 35 mile drive. The rest is dirt but in good condition, 25 to 35 MPH occasionally 45 (you might PO some of the locals of Cascabel with your dust if you go too fast). Anyway expect an hour to do this section. Once at the turnoff it is 8.5 miles to the trail head. This road is rough and slow going, expect 45 to 60 minutes for this portion. High clearance is a must and one section I put it in 4WD. There was a SUV parked on the side of the road that had been there a week you can see the oil on the road where it either cracked a transmission or engine oil pan (I think I would just put a for sale sign on it). Great hike but the drive is a killer, maybe next time I will stay a few days. Does anyone know how the road to Jackson Cabin is.

Culture

Culture [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Vintage Hikers

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Nov 26 2022

00blackout

Routes 31
Photos 4,724
Triplogs 187

50 male

Joined Mar 14 2016
Gold Canyon, AZ

Redfield Canyon to Swamp Springs Canyon

Tucson, AZ

Redfield Canyon to Swamp Springs Canyon

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Nov 26 2022
		00blackout • Triplogs 187

Hiking	4.50 Miles	1,051 AEG

Hiking	4.50 Miles
	1,051 ft AEG

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adilling

Andy and I made the drive on the long rough dirt road to the Redfield Canyon trailhead yesterday. I attempted to hike down into the canyon back in September, back the tall grass and a very close encounter with a rattle snake turned me around. To my surprise there were several vehicles at the TH with a small group had tents set up, stating it's 'deer' season. Although a bit steep in the beginning the trail was in great shape all the way down to the bottom of the canyon. As we got closer to the bottom of the colors from the massive Cottonwoods started to pop. Although we were probably a week or so early from peak the colors were absolutely beautiful! Once in the creek, we headed left following the creek to the cliff house. Tons of water in the creek, but not difficult at all to cross. A group of 8 backpackers were coming out as we got near the house (they had a couple of mountain goats that were carrying there packs, which was cool to see). About a mile and a half in, we got to the cliff house. The house started being build in 1936 and was finished in 1939. I'm not sure when the house was abandoned, but the house was pretty extravagant for being in the bottom of a canyon in the middle of no where. After checking out the house for a bit, we started back, hiking the canyon in the other direction before making the climb back out. Redfield Canyon is absolutely gorgeous and seeing the cliff house was an awesome sight! Great day hiking with perfect weather and great company.

Autumn Foliage Observation Extreme
Another week should be peak.

_____________________

Hiking is just walking where it’s okay to pee.

Sep 30 2022

GrangerGuy

Guides 34
Routes 138
Photos 931
Triplogs 111

68 male

Joined Dec 26 2018
Phoenix, AZ

Redfield Canyon to Swamp Springs Canyon

Tucson, AZ

Redfield Canyon to Swamp Springs Canyon

Tucson, AZ

Hiking		Sep 30 2022
		GrangerGuy • Triplogs 111

Hiking	4.00 Miles	830 AEG

Hiking	4.00 Miles	5 Hrs		1.33 mph
	830 ft AEG	2 Hrs Break	15 LBS Pack

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I spent more time researching this trip than I did hiking it, not counting the hours it took to get there. I wanted to make sure I did not go on private land, either driving or walking, and since there are no trails, I scoped out a reasonable hike plan. There will be an HAZ guide when I am done today. Hope someday someone can extend the guide all they way up Swamp Springs Canyon to Jackson Cabin. That would make a great traverse of this wilderness.

This area was on my to-do list as one of the Arizona Wilderness Areas without much information available. The access path from trailhead down to the canyon was pretty easy to map from aerial photos, although I did get off a couple times, plus it was hidden at times in the tall grass. There are a few tiny cairns showing the way.

I didn’t have time to go as far up Swamp Spring Canyon as I wanted, as I had some errands to do in Tucson before I headed home to Phoenix, but it really was gorgeous and cool under the trees in the canyon compared to the heat at the top. I even had a breeze blowing in my face both going in and coming out.

At one point while walking along the bank, a rattler insistently warned me off. I couldn’t see him/her/them, but I did the valiant and respectful thing and stepped into the stream until well clear.

I’m not the fastest 4x4 driver in the world. It took me 1 ¾ hours each direction from N. Cascabel Road. The views along the road will make you stop for pictures, as I did, as you can see all the way from the Catalinas and Rincons to the Galurios, with big sky and canyons in between.

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Ivy Leaf Morning Glory

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Redfield Canyon Wilderness Swamp Springs Canyon

Autumn Foliage Observation None
Not yet.

Wildflowers Observation Isolated
Exactly one

Dec 12 2011

nonot

Guides 107
Routes 249
Photos 2,067
Triplogs 514

male

Joined Nov 18 2005
Phoenix, AZ

Redfield Canyon Wilderness, AZ

Hiking		Dec 12 2011
		nonot • Triplogs 514

Hiking	22.00 Miles	4,200 AEG

Hiking	22.00 Miles	12 Hrs 20 Mns	1.78 mph
	4,200 ft AEG

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Redfield Canyon to Swamp Springs Canyon

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HAZ - Group

RedRoxx44

The Redfield Canyon Wilderness has a lot of interesting history and some great views. There was still a twinge of fall. Thanks to RedRoxx for the invitation to explore the area and act as tour guide. The long drive out there does take patience, high clearance, and 4x4 if you want to get back out, but it seems to keep the visitation down, which may be the whole idea to start with.

Autumn Foliage Observation Isolated

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http://hikearizona.com/garmin_maps.php

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1 archive

WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.

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