| |
|
| | |
| |
| |
| Partners |
|
none
[ show ]
| no partners | | Water flow was 52cfm a week after a winter storm that brought monsoon levels of rain - we found it easily manageable and never above knee height. Deeper pools did exist, and some basic route finding is required, but nothing complex. The current is surprisingly swift for such a small creek, but never so much that we felt uncertain. My trekking poles only vibrated twice and never hummed and footing is solid and straightforward. We wore ~knee high waterproof socks, so were glad to keep it below that. ;)
We pre-filtered with a banana from the creek once as it was slightly cloudy from the rains, the side creeks tend to be clearer but water isn't an issue. It'd normally be a bit clearer, but always has a little sediment just from the flow rate.
Got on trail from the western trailhead around 11:30am, hit some traffic/accidents and a quick errand to run on the way from Phoenix which derailed waking up at 5:30am. The lower portion would be a lot nicer in spring or fall when there's more leaves, but still pleasant in winter. The first few miles are pretty thrashed from previous flooding, so either hiking the river itself or moving a bit off to look for washes speeds things up a lot. Near Hell's Half Acre the walls start to get interesting and only get better. Saw a group of dayhikers across from the camp near HHA (and packed out their vape device on the way out they dropped), but had the canyon to ourselves otherwise. 
After enjoying the dry falls and alcoves along the northern wall, and some gorgeous seafoam lichens colored sections on the south (Virgus & the hard turn SSW of Javelina were gorgeous) we arrived at Horse Camp around 4:20 and made a leisurely camp (sans marijuana despite the timing). Saw 3 rather cavalier Coatis a bit before Virgus and marveled at such wonderful strange creatures. Two doe kept appearing near our camp, and we saw three buck heading up canyon the next day.
After a somewhat late start (chilly morning, but the sun hit early - yay reading topo maps) we headed up for a dayhike to Hell's Hole canyon, bumping into the backcountry ranger on the way up. He said the literature mentions 30-50cfm being problematic, but he gets concerned around 70cfm. We had our permit and volunteered it, but he looked up my name on an up-to-date printout he had, so don't try and fake it. ;) Enjoyed chatting with him and we met again near HH later - didn't see anyone else that day. Near Horse Camp heading upstream is a lot faster than the section before it - there's a lot of remaining nice shoreline and less obstacles in the canyon itself.
Got a little ways up HH canyon, then headed back to make sure we'd get back at a reasonable time, and did.
The next morning we wandered up Horse Camp Canyon, which was well worth it, keeping to the right of the creek and making it to a large pool that seemed like it'd have a sketchy bypass to the left. Heading back down we bumped into one group of dayhikers near Virgus, and two more closer to the entrance. Still a lot of solitude!
The two night limit is a shame, as I'd love to explore Virgus & Hell's Hole canyons more but that'd be tough to do without a shuttle vehicle on one trip, though having warmer longer days and less flow would help in that respect. |
  |
Booger Canyon |
Light flow |
Light flow |
| | | Flowing a brief distance up from Aravaipa Creek. |
 |
Cave Canyon |
Dry |
Dry |
| | | Didn't go far up the canyon, but this was dry where it met the river. |
|
Deer Creek |
Light flow |
Light flow |
| | | Flowing steadily but not very deep. |
|
Virgus Canyon |
Heavy flow |
Heavy flow |
| | | The strongest flow we encountered. | | | |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Route Editor
Route Scout
