Crazy Horse Canyon (?) - Safford area

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I'm not sure Crazy Horse Canyon is the correct name, but this was described to me as a slot canyon in the Safford area, somewhere near Bonita creek (but not Midnight Canyon). Does this ring a bell with anyone?

[azhiker96]

I'll check with my brother who lives in Safford. I did find the Grand Enchantment trail which has some slot sections. http://picasaweb.google.com/blisterfree ... 7193104450

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@azhiker96 Midnight Canyon was one of my favorite bits of hiking, perhaps because I didn't know anything about it in advance. It just shows up out of nowhere, with a big oasis on the other side. It was a little tougher going back in the other direction.

[Moovyoaz]

There's a Crazy Horse WASH just east of Klondyke and Bonita Road (west of Mt Graham). I drove parallel to it last week on on our annual Aravaipa east TH backpack.
I found a reference here to it here:
http://www.topofusion.com/diary/2007/04 ... ted-recon/

You're right, Midnight Canyon is beautiful, a remote oasis that's seldom used. Gotta go back someday..

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@Moovyoaz Hmmm, I guess I need to get in touch with the guy from the Graham County Historical Society who mentioned it. He said it was narrow enough to touch both sides at once and, according to legend, got its name from a horse that spooked at the confinement.

[SkyIslander18]

I just got back from the Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area and think this could be the place your looking for. Bonita creek runs through a portion of it and I have been told that there are slot canyons (and cliff dwellings) deep within by many Safford residents.

http://www.blm.gov/az/st/en/prog/blm_sp ... /gbox.html

[sirena]

@AZWaterRat
Loved your photos! Looks like you hit it at peak color.

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I just got back from the Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area and think this could be the place your looking for.

I guessed that one, too, but he said that wasn't it. Maybe it was a ploy to keep me coming back to Safford. I've dayhiked a little in there, but haven't begun to seriously explore it.

[nonot]

How about 32.760998 110.216782?

[nonot]

Or 32.679424 109.853668?

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@nonotHe didn't describe it as being that far west. Gila Box is probably warmer. He may have been referring to a side canyon off of Bonita Creek farther up into the reservation.