username
X
password
register
for free!
 help
 Home FAQ Contribute Camp Granada Surveys Shop
 TrailDEX Filter Areas A to Z Easy Hikes in Season Dog Hikes in Season
 MapRoute Editor Route Editor Route CloudRoute Scout Route Scout Foliage DEX Wildflower DEX
Publish a Guide
Trail/Hike Guide
 GPS Route
Recorded Track of a Hike
 Triplog
Review/Journal of a Hike
 Photoset
Photos of a Hike
help
  HAZ Forum
ArticlesGuidesRoutes
 
Photosets
 Recent Photosets
Liked PixelMASTERS
Avatars Tagged Notes
 
 Comments
triplogs   photosets   labels comments more
Towel Creek Ruins - West Access - 8 members in 18 triplogs have rated this an average 3.5 ( 1 to 5 best )
18 triplogs
login for filter options
Apr 28 2024
avatar

 Routes 386
 Photos 49
 Triplogs 792

43 female
 Joined Jun 23 2015
 Phoenix, AZ
Towel Creek Ruins - West AccessCamp Verde, AZ
Towel Creek Ruins - West Access
Camp Verde, AZ
Hiking avatar Apr 28 2024
emilystardust • Triplogs 792
Hiking7.12 Miles 1,622 AEG
Hiking7.12 Miles   5 Hrs   33 Mns   1.48 mph
1,622 ft AEG      45 Mns Break
 
no photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
We found a nice spot to cross pretty quickly that went just up to mid-thigh. We tried a few different routes on the way in and out from there but not sure either was better or worse. We got some nice cloud cover to keep things from being too hot most of the time. Very interesting geology and caves back there.
_____________________
 
Apr 10 2022
avatar

 Routes 175
 Photos 2,335
 Triplogs 191

44 female
 Joined Jan 21 2019
 Pine, AZ
Towel Creek Ruins - West AccessCamp Verde, AZ
Towel Creek Ruins - West Access
Camp Verde, AZ
Hiking avatar Apr 10 2022
jillyonanadventure • Triplogs 191
Hiking3.20 Miles 300 AEG
Hiking3.20 Miles
300 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners partners
wanderingtrails
A few key details seem to be missing from the official guide and follow up triplogs so I’ll go ahead and share to help others looking to attempt this route.

- Crossing the river is precarious. We checked the gauge prior to choosing this hike, but it doesn’t accurately portray enough information about this particular area. It would be wise to bring a floatie, dry bag and prepare for water up to chest deep and/or trekking poles to assist in more shallow (waist deep), yet turbulent water. The water level may also change during the duration of your hike as well. It rose for us. (Note: if you do cross in the shallower location, you reach an island and then need to cross a SECOND time to get to the other side)

-Pants strongly advised unless you don’t care about cuts & bleeding all over your body. There is ample catclaw and other prickly pokey bushes to navigate through.

-Expect to hike through TALL grass that camouflages rattlesnakes. And given it’s remoteness, make it pissed off rattlesnakes. Speaking of wildlife, you may see a giant pack of javelina or a swimming bear on this hike.

-The official route ascends a grassy hill to a mesa, which is also covered in grass… possibly filled with snakes that are camouflaged by said grass.

If you’ve safely endured all of that with the sun beating down on you, continue on to find the ruins. OR decide it’s not worth it and go to your backup plan. Up to you.
_____________________
Restless between adventures...
  1 archive
Apr 23 2021
avatar

 Routes 174
 Photos 471
 Triplogs 184

51 male
 Joined Mar 16 2019
 Phoenix
Towel Creek Ruins - West AccessCamp Verde, AZ
Towel Creek Ruins - West Access
Camp Verde, AZ
Hiking avatar Apr 23 2021
AugustWest • Triplogs 184
Hiking7.33 Miles 1,534 AEG
Hiking7.33 Miles   4 Hrs   11 Mns   1.90 mph
1,534 ft AEG      20 Mns Break
 
1st trip
Linked   linked  
River Trail #517
Towel Creek Trail #67
Partners partners
Abs02
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
The end of FR 574 approximately 15 miles south of Camp Verde leads to a very, very cool area. Multiple access points lead into the Cedar Bench Wilderness and also to one of the key access points down to the Verde River.

I was in Camp Verde for my second COVID shot and decided to make a day of it. We arrived at the River Trail Trailhead at Double T Ranch at around noon. The property owner came down to ask if we had any questions and was incredibly friendly. 3 of his horses came ambling up the trail as we were starting out. I have been around horses most of my life and these horses were of an extremely high pedigree.

River Trail leads down to the river in about 2/3 of a mile. We crossed just up from some very light class 2 rapids. The water reached my midriff and was not unbearably cold. I crossed too far downstream from Towel Creek and we had to bushwack up about a quarter of a mile.

Towel Creek from the river to the ruins has views of the Verde Rim front and center. Cedar Bench, Pine Mountain, and Mazatzal's are all seen in clear view. The line cabin area was another highlight. It looks more like a storage shed, but the cabin and the surrounding areas are all clearly still actively used. The trail also features massive cairns and lots if them.

Ultimately the trail to the ruins is far more worn than Towel Creek Trail continuing on towards FR 708 in the Coconino NF. The ruins are interesting and the Towel Creek riparian zones were quite beautiful with the shaded canopy.

FR 574 is a 4WD and high clearance road. Maybe not the way in but definitely on the way out. It isn't over the top, but there are some steep sections coming out that the 4WD helped with.

There is so much to explore in this area. Chasm Creek, Oxbow, and Cold Water Trails (leading into the Cedar Bench Wilderness) all start off this road. The Verde River is itself a miracle and worth the drive to experience and swim if you are two or four pawed! We saw one group of 4 hikers close to the ruins which was a suprise and a single truck parked at the trailhead.

water 1 out of 5water 2 out of 5water 3 out of 5water less than max Brown Springs Gallon per minute Gallon per minute
Amazing how much water was coming from this area!

dry Gap Creek Dry Dry
Zilch

water 1 out of 5water less than maxwater less than maxwater less than max Towel Creek Pools to trickle Pools to trickle
Some pools deep enough for Luna to splash in.
_____________________
Wildflower seed in the sand and wind
May the four winds blow you home again
 
May 01 2017
avatar

 Routes 61
 Photos 1,008
 Triplogs 224

44 male
 Joined Aug 19 2009
 The Basin
Towel Creek Ruins - West AccessCamp Verde, AZ
Towel Creek Ruins - West Access
Camp Verde, AZ
Hiking avatar May 01 2017
survivordude • Triplogs 224
Hiking7.40 Miles 1,516 AEG
Hiking7.40 Miles   3 Hrs   24 Mns   2.35 mph
1,516 ft AEG      15 Mns Break
 
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Wanted to go somewhere new, wanted water, and wanted to explore some ruins. Triple check.. Hit the TH at 7AM and made the short walk to the Verde. The crossing was real easy. Only about knee deep and Gabby had no problem crossing either. The trail is well cairned and only got confusing in a few spots, but the topo was real easy to follow. Passed a small empty shack and saw some javelina jaw bones. Made it to the ruins in just over an hour and explored around for a while. Lots of pottery pieces scattered about. There was a huge room with a small wall in front that is now home to many bats because there were piles of guano all over in there. The second and fourth alcove had some very intact walls and very defined entrances. Was great to hang out there imagining what it was like 800+ years ago. Looking west across to the Verde Rim, I could imagine seeing smoke signals or other signals coming from dwellings on that side of the river. Most wildflowers are all gone but the cactus flowers were blooming real nice. Saguaros should be popping real soon. I really enjoyed the solitude here. I really want to start finding and visiting more ruin sites. ..if I ever get some time away from baseball ..which is not likely anytime soon..

water 1 out of 5water 2 out of 5water less than maxwater less than max Brown Springs Quart per minute Quart per minute

water 1 out of 5water less than maxwater less than maxwater less than max Towel Creek Pools to trickle Pools to trickle
_____________________
“There is nothing that exists outside the thought of the immediate moment.”
  2 archives
Feb 20 2016
avatar

 Photos 94
 Triplogs 14

44 male
 Joined Feb 05 2016
 Anthem, AZ
Towel Creek Ruins - West AccessCamp Verde, AZ
Towel Creek Ruins - West Access
Camp Verde, AZ
Hiking avatar Feb 20 2016
phlak • Triplogs 14
Hiking6.08 Miles 712 AEG
Hiking6.08 Miles   3 Hrs   15 Mns   1.87 mph
712 ft AEG16 LBS Pack
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
As of 2-20-16 the water is very dangerous. We crossed but it was extremely cold and dangerous. If it wasn't 80 degrees that day we all would've been in deep trouble with hypothermia. I would not do this hike for at least another month. This is one of my favorite hikes though because no one is around for miles. I like the quieter hikes and if you are like me you'll love this hike. The hike is not for the weak but its not extreme either. Just take your time and be sure to cross the river when its at a safe level and then ENJOY the hike and views! This is an amazing area for photographs! When you first hit the Verde I recommend going south down stream to the first bend and take in some amazing scenery!

Dog Friendly! My lab had the best day of her life down here!
_____________________
  1 archive
Dec 01 2015
avatar

 Triplogs 2

63 male
 Joined Jan 30 2004
 Cottonwood, AZ
Towel Creek Ruins - West AccessCamp Verde, AZ
Towel Creek Ruins - West Access
Camp Verde, AZ
Hiking avatar Dec 01 2015
dgroat • Triplogs 2
Hiking6.08 Miles 712 AEG
Hiking6.08 Miles   6 Hrs      1.01 mph
712 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
River was up. Spent an hour looking for a "safe" place to cross. Spent an another half hour trying to find the trailhead on the other side. It's just south (downriver) of the power lines that cross the river. There's a large cairn but it kind of blends into the lava rock background. Promptly lost the trail at the top of the first mesa. It kind of disappears through a thick mesquite thicket. Finally got on track although the trail is VERY faint in places and looks like some of the cairns have fallen down. Had to backtrack and circle a few times to stay on course. I was running out of time when I finally came upon the tin line shack where the trail crosses the creek bottom. I thought about making that my turnaround point, then looked up to the Northeast and could plainly see the ruins on the cliff wall. Made it up to the main ruins and the smaller one to the east, but didn't have a lot of time to explore. Looked like an interesting area. Some huge pot shards, many colors, all over the place. Had to hump back because I didn't want to cross the river in the dark
_____________________
 
Jan 04 2013
avatar

 Guides 5
 Photos 1,229
 Triplogs 181

female
 Joined Mar 18 2008
 Flagstaff, AZ
Gap Creek to Verde River, AZ 
Gap Creek to Verde River, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Jan 04 2013
fotogirl53 • Triplogs 181
Hiking2.00 Miles 200 AEG
Hiking2.00 Miles
200 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Oxbow Trail #163
Towel Creek Ruins - West Access
Cold Water Springs Trail #27
Partners none no partners
Since I'm spending alot of time in Camp Verde these days, I've been exploring the area along the river. Today I took Salt Mine Road aka FR 574 to its end at what the forest service calls the Brown Springs Cabin. This is where Gap Creek crosses the road and where the Verde can be accessed. The trailheads for Oxbow Trail and Cold Water Trail #27 are here, too.

Water was running down Gap Creek, with more pouring out at the parking lot. I think this is Browns Cabin Spring. I went through a gate and followed the trail down the little canyon, crossing the rocky creekbed a couple times keeping with the trail. Three horses were in the little canyon, but they were tame (horse shoe prints) and the bay on the trail let me pet him as I went by.

I came upon another spring near the gate at the bottom of the canyon. Don't know the name of this one, but it was putting out alot of water. Then the canyon ended onto a floodplain and the Verde River.

I explored the area a bit, making note of where Jake had noted access to Towel Creek for a future hike. The river is very high right now and I wouldn't want to try to walk across. It seems unusually high and fast this winter.

After hiking upriver for a ways, looking at some rapids where the river is split around an "island", I made my way back. The horses were now in the corral by the cabin, but there were several other horses at the parking area.

The road out here is in really good shape, with a small dozer and a grader parked by the Chasm Creek trailhead. BTW, that area is closed til June 30 for eagle protection--I think it's called the Ladders. Sometimes F&G opens it earlier if the nesting is unsuccessful.
 Fauna
 Fauna [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  American Kestrel  Cicada  Mallard Duck
 Named place
 Named place [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Gap Creek
_____________________
Allergic to cities.
 
Jan 10 2011
avatar

 Guides 25
 Routes 36
 Photos 2,890
 Triplogs 658

39 male
 Joined May 30 2008
 Peoria, AZ
Towel Creek Ruins - West AccessCamp Verde, AZ
Towel Creek Ruins - West Access
Camp Verde, AZ
Hiking avatar Jan 10 2011
hippiepunkpirate • Triplogs 658
Hiking8.00 Miles 1,300 AEG
Hiking8.00 Miles   5 Hrs   45 Mns   1.39 mph
1,300 ft AEG
 
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Went with my friends Brian and Kat, and their friend Jesse. Gap Creek was flowing, but just a bit. Crossing the Verde was cold, but did not seem nearly as cold as last winter crossing it on an overcast day to get to the hot springs. We lost the trail twice going in, which actually saved us about 200 of elevation gain. Made it to the ruins, and explored further up-canyon about a half mile to try to find a larger ruin that Brian had only seen in pictures. Didn't find the bigger ruin, but spooked a herd of javelina that booked it down a drainage below us. Brian had a better angle than I, and estimated about 30 javelina, including 3 babies. Managed to follow the trail the entire way on the way back. It was a nice hike, and good to see Brian and Kat again. I really liked Towel Creek, nice solitude and interesting metamorphic geology. The route was pretty well-cairned, but very faint in sections, and thus easy to get off trail. The trail seems to do at least one very unnecessary climb. As I said, going off-trail saved us about 200 feet of elevation going in, and could've saved another 200 going out doing the same. Brian was pretty familiar with the area, I had a GPS, and the weather was very mild...in other circumstances I would not have been so comfortable, and probably wouldn't recommend off-trail travel to those unfamiliar to the area without reasonable route-finding and physical abilities, or during the hot months.
 Fauna
 Fauna [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Dog
 Named place
 Named place [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Towel Creek  Towel Peaks
_____________________
My blog: Mountain Tripper
My book: Arizona: A Photographic Journey
 
Nov 13 2010
avatar

 Photos 214
 Triplogs 59

49 male
 Joined Nov 02 2006
 Sabattus, Maine
Towel Creek Ruins - West AccessCamp Verde, AZ
Towel Creek Ruins - West Access
Camp Verde, AZ
Hiking avatar Nov 13 2010
scottfyfe • Triplogs 59
Hiking6.08 Miles 712 AEG
Hiking6.08 Miles
712 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
First hike after a 7 month injury. It felt great. I love this hike. The 8mile dirt road drive in, the river crossing and the ruins all give this hike a real feeling of true adventure.
_____________________
 
Oct 19 2009
avatar

 Photos 214
 Triplogs 59

49 male
 Joined Nov 02 2006
 Sabattus, Maine
Towel Creek Ruins - West AccessCamp Verde, AZ
Towel Creek Ruins - West Access
Camp Verde, AZ
Hiking avatar Oct 19 2009
scottfyfe • Triplogs 59
Hiking6.08 Miles 712 AEG
Hiking6.08 Miles
712 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Very fun hike full of beautiful scenery. Glad I hiked this on when I did because route finding was difficult so with assistance from my GPS I was able to simply navigate up the dry creek bed to the ruins. Use caution I saw what I believe to be a bear swimming in the river from a distance, It was black in color and dove under water briefly like it was after fish, he cam up and shook the water from his head then I lost sight of him. Also something is living in one of the cliff dwellings, not sure if it was just the bats as described in the book Hiking Ruins Seldom Seen. It had a strong odor when I was about 5 feet from the entrance. It smelled more like urine to me plus biased on the books info its the wrong time of year for the bats to be living there.
 Fauna
 Fauna [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Wild horse
_____________________
 
Jun 16 2007
avatar

 Guides 4
 Photos 2,750
 Triplogs 402

60 male
 Joined Nov 13 2005
 Cave Creek, AZ
Towel Creek Ruins - West AccessCamp Verde, AZ
Towel Creek Ruins - West Access
Camp Verde, AZ
Hiking avatar Jun 16 2007
cabel • Triplogs 402
Hiking6.08 Miles 712 AEG
Hiking6.08 Miles
712 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Temps over 100 had to turn back,
_____________________
All who wander are not lost...just me.
 
Mar 04 2007
avatar

 Triplogs 71

48 male
 Joined Mar 12 2003
 Pheonx, AZ
Towel Creek Ruins - West AccessCamp Verde, AZ
Towel Creek Ruins - West Access
Camp Verde, AZ
Hiking avatar Mar 04 2007
Raddu • Triplogs 71
Hiking2.00 Miles 712 AEG
Hiking2.00 Miles   2 Hrs      1.00 mph
712 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
I went with my friend Bobby. We hiked up and down the east side of the river, but couldn't find the large cairn or Trail 67. We crossed the Verde just north of the confluence in some shallow (knee deep) rapids and hiked up the river, we found two large cairns, but they were almost directly across the confluence and there was no trail near them. At one point we couldn't hike any farther north due to a cliff entering the water, so we turned around and went home after spending two hours looking for Trail #67.

I'll take a GPS with me next time, hopefully her GPS location of Trail 67 is correct.

I had the book Hiking Ruins Seldom Seen, which had similar directions as this site, but it wasn't much help either.
_____________________
 
Dec 14 2005
avatar

 Photos 132
 Triplogs 131

female
 Joined Aug 13 2003
 Phoenix, AZ
Towel Creek Ruins - West AccessCamp Verde, AZ
Towel Creek Ruins - West Access
Camp Verde, AZ
Hiking avatar Dec 14 2005
cyn • Triplogs 131
Hiking6.08 Miles 712 AEG
Hiking6.08 Miles
712 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
_____________________
 
Dec 07 2005
avatar

 Photos 132
 Triplogs 131

female
 Joined Aug 13 2003
 Phoenix, AZ
Towel Creek Ruins - West AccessCamp Verde, AZ
Towel Creek Ruins - West Access
Camp Verde, AZ
Hiking avatar Dec 07 2005
cyn • Triplogs 131
Hiking6.08 Miles 712 AEG
Hiking6.08 Miles
712 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
_____________________
 
Dec 00 2005
avatar

 Photos 81
 Triplogs 47

58 female
 Joined May 02 2004
 Phoenix, AZ
Towel Creek Ruins - West AccessCamp Verde, AZ
Towel Creek Ruins - West Access
Camp Verde, AZ
Hiking avatar Dec 00 2005
ADIE • Triplogs 47
Hiking6.08 Miles 712 AEG
Hiking6.08 Miles
712 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
_____________________
 
May 31 2003
avatar

 Triplogs 9

56
 Joined Oct 09 2002
 Avondale, AZ
Towel Creek Ruins - West AccessCamp Verde, AZ
Towel Creek Ruins - West Access
Camp Verde, AZ
Backpack avatar May 31 2003
rsalisburyaz • Triplogs 9
Backpack6.08 Miles 712 AEG
Backpack6.08 Miles   5 Hrs      1.22 mph
712 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Tough trail on a 100+ degree day.
_____________________
 
Apr 16 2003
avatar

 Triplogs 5

51
 Joined Mar 29 2003
 Phoenix, AZ
Towel Creek Ruins - West AccessCamp Verde, AZ
Towel Creek Ruins - West Access
Camp Verde, AZ
Hiking avatar Apr 16 2003
James M. Poehner • Triplogs 5
Hiking6.08 Miles 712 AEG
Hiking6.08 Miles
712 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Never found the ruins this way. Though, If you've never seen the ruins and would like to they are easy to find using Towel Creek Trail #67.
_____________________
 
Nov 23 2002
avatar

 Photos 4
 Triplogs 1

66 male
 Joined Nov 15 2002
 Orange, CA
Towel Creek Ruins - West AccessCamp Verde, AZ
Towel Creek Ruins - West Access
Camp Verde, AZ
Hiking avatar Nov 23 2002
T150 • Triplogs 1
Hiking3.00 Miles 712 AEG
Hiking3.00 Miles   3 Hrs      1.00 mph
712 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Traveled from California to search for the Towel Creek Ruins from the West access. Unfortunately the Verde was just too full to cross. We hiked all the way north from Gap Creek to Punk Rock Rapids (as referred to by some local rafters), which is as far as you can go on the river's edge; about 1.5 miles and no sign of a place to cross less than 3-4 feet deep with a strong current. Had lunch and called it a day. Nevertheless the scramble/walk along the beautiful Verde was great and we had gorgeous weather. We'll be back to try again, but a warning to others - November may be too late to cross the Verde.
_____________________
 
average hiking speed 1.47 mph

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.

FAQ
helpcommentissue

end of page marker