But that is just a small part of what there is to see in this remarkable place. Refreshing water in the creek, perfect spots to wade in and cool off. It’s a brutal ascent to an upper trailhead located along Forest Road 214A. GO EARLY!! From its western terminus at Bull Pen Ranch at the canyon mouth, the trail leads upstream into the deep, narrow gorge which medium-sized West Clear Creek has cut into the southern edge of the Colorado Plateau. First Post - West Clear Creek - Tramway Trail This beautiful canyon offers natural springs, secret side canyons, and ample pools for fishing and swimming. From Bald Hill trailhead in Coconino National Forest, descend 1,800 feet over three miles of talus slopes to the canyon floor and pick up West Clear Creek Trail (#17). Bring a lot of water! Clear Creek OHV Trails 8348 Redbird Trail Milton, FL 32570 (850) 626-3034 grace.quina@freshfromflorida.com www.freshfromflorida.com: Comment: Contact number for trailhead that is answered on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. This is a trail that is HARD! Water in the desert is always a rare and magical thing. The Stats: Trail Name: Point Trail Distance: 4 miles Elevation Gain: -750 feet Difficulty: Difficult steep climb down to the canyon floor, then easy Dog Friendliness: Definitely dog … at the end is a pool to Wade in or camp. Thinking about doing this trail next weekend. Difficulty: Moderate (along stream). The images on this website are copyrighted. From there, you’ll follow FR 214A and Forest Road 214 for 1.3 miles to the upper end of the Blodgett Basin Trail, which was built to move cattle between seasonal pastures. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. You are exposed to the sun 90% of the time, only shade is at creek crossings. The hike is just as impressive in reverse. hiking views wildlife Keep in mind, if you do find an ancient relic, it’s a federal offense to remove it or disturb it. At a later date, the author and his wife returned with two cars, dropped one of at Bull Pen Ranch, then drove around to the trailhead at the end of 142A. Shade here and there. Visited this trail for the 2nd time in 3 weeks and absolutely love it. This trail provides the only marked and maintained access to the lower reaches of West Clear Creek Wilderness. I started the trail at 720a and the weather was nearly perfect but during the last 4 miles back (around 1230p) the sun was beating down and I ran out of water so it was rough. Then, after about a mile, it cuts south for the first of four stream crossings. There are human artifacts, too, left by the ancient Sinagua people who lived in the canyon hundreds of years ago. Stayed at about the 8th site, you will know it by being 2 tiered and having a stone table, stone fire pit and stone chairs. West Clear Creek Wilderness Area is a deep entrenched canyon with a year round stream flowing through it. In between those two points are three major layers of rock: Supai formation, Coconino sandstone and volcanic deposits. West Fork of Clear Creek Trail is a 3 mile hike in Arapaho National Forest that will take about 4 to 5 hours to complete with Fido. Directions from Flagstaff: Drive 40 miles south on Interstate 17. There are three river crossings in the 8.8 mile hike. There arent any waterfall or slot-canyon type features at this location. Clear Creek Trail . From its western terminus at Bull Pen Ranch at the canyon mouth, the trail leads upstream into the deep, narrow gorge which the medium-sized West Clear Creek has cut into the southern edge of the Colorado Plateau. Ways to get down to the water from near the top. All rights reserved. Difficulty: Easy The West Clear Creek Trail (the longest and most-used trail within the wilderness) has four crossings that range from knee-height to impassable depending on time of year, weather, and flooding. Beautiful creek though! The downstream end of the trail attracts large … unfortunately the trail doesn't follow the creek but instead takes the upper ridge line ans the only way to the river is brushwacking and climbing down steep-ish topography. Bob Bear Trail (Formerly Fossil Springs Trail), Indian Maiden Falls via West Clear Creek Trail. It’s very steep and full of loose rock and dirt. At the same time, Clear Creek was stocked with trout so that visitors could do a bit of fishing. Arizona Office of Tourism, 2702 N. 3rd St., Suite 4015 , Phoenix, AZ, 85004, Phone: 888-520-3434, Fax: 602-240-5432, mfioritt@pni.com. What’s more, it’s a good way to shatter any lingering stereotypes. The Civilian Conservation Corps built the trail to Clear Creek in 1933. This is our recommended turnaround point. Lots of debris (leaves, dirt) in Sheridan underpass; otherwise clear: Jul 2, … The trail is nice and the water crossings are fun. The views of the canyon are impressive. Traverse juniper-lined benches above the creek that have three-mile views of the 1,200-foot banded canyon walls, and drop to water-level for four cairn-marked crossings of the cool, Arizona cypress-shaded waters. Anything you step on will be slippery. The dirt road to get there is bumpy and only wide enough for a single vehicle in places. Jul 16, 2018. This trail provides the only marked and maintained access to the lower reaches of West Clear Creek Canyon Wilderness. Kind of a scouting trip for later anyway. Obviously, you’ll get a bigger notch in your belt for taking the long way, but there’s no shame in staying down by the water. Your trail feedback and ratings are an important resource for fellow hikers and provide a personal account of your trail experience from which others may learn. The cairns will guide you down but look for orange tape when the brush thickens. Make sure you take a hat, WATER, and hiking boots they really saved my toes. The place is difficult to get to, but absolutely worth it. At the bottom you'll end up at West Clear creek… Those looking to follow the creek beyond the maintain trail should prepare for more than a dozen pools, which sits between both canyon wall sides and can be up to a quarter mile long, requiring wading or swimming. The wilderness area is located in the Coconino National Forest and is 12 miles east of Camp Verde, Arizona. Scenery is beautiful. All Star Lanes Trailhead. It was not crowded on a Thursday mid-morning. We started the trail around 8a and finished by noon. There are 4 water crossings. Can’t wait to go way back in sometime. To access upper West Clear Creek from the north, near Happy Jack, AZ, you should plan to enter on the Tramway Trail, accessible from Forest Road 81E, off Lake Mary Road, 7 miles north of the split from state highway 87. The trail is primarily used for hiking and is accessible year-round. West Clear Creek Trail #17 provides the only marked and maintained access to the lower reaches of West Clear Creek Wilderness. Long and strenuous if you try to complete the entire trail in one day (not recommended). Trailhead GPS: N 34˚32.338', W 111˚41.510' Don’t touch. This trail is steep as it drops into West Clear creek and there is some scrambling involved, but nothing too scary. The views of the mountains, rivers, and forest are just breath taking and this was one of the best hikes I've done so far. There are 4 hard trails in West Clear Creek Wilderness ranging from 3.5 to 12.4 miles and from 5,692 to 6,863 feet above sea level. Well-marked trail, pretty exposed to the sun at first. The end is the peak which is a gnarly and a difficult climb! Challenge Level: Easy. Although it’s less than 2 miles wide, the canyon winds for nearly 40 miles through some of the most scenic and least visited terrain in Arizona, making it the longest of the many canyons that cut through the Mogollon Rim. Looking around, you’ll understand why Congress protected 15,468 acres of this canyon in 1984. update trails status or condition Clear Creek (West) Trail Reports. The Lower Supai was laid down in the Pennsylvanian Period of the Paleozoic Era. couldn’t believe how beautiful it was the entire hike. Everything from black bears, elk, mountain lions and mule deer to skunks, badgers and bobcats. Keep an eye out for snakes and Gila monsters. West Clear Creek is a gorgeous walled-in stream within Verde Valley, some distance south of Flagstaff. From the top of the rim to the bottom is 0.7 miles and about 750 ft of elevation loss. The first 1/4 mile will be mostly hike a bike. You’ll get a sense of just how spectacular it is as you drive in. Overall, West Clear Creek Trail is the 3rd most popular hiking trail of all 49 hikes in Arizona. Also careful with jumping on rocks in the water very slippery!! Be careful, though. great morning!! Hike up West Clear Creek using the Bull Pen Ranch trail on the Mogollon Rim in Arizona. From its western terminus at Bull Pen Ranch at the canyon mouth, the trail leads upstream into the deep, narrow gorge which medium-sized West Clear Creek has cut into the southern edge of the Colorado Plateau. Lots of snakes. Most times of the year, Cheyava Falls is a mere trickle, but after a wet winter it gushes from the cliff face in a series of cascades. Backpacking gem for sure, coming back to stay another week and fish This trail offers solitude, as it is a bit off the beaten path. This trail is phenomenal! The easiest route to explore its mysteries is from FR215 and the trailhead at Bull Pen ranch. Vehicle Requirements: A high-clearance vehicle is recommended. camped close by and started around 8. not much close to the water so that was okay for us. Long, hot, rocky but end point was worth it! Wear a wide rim hat and long sleeve sun shirt! USGS Maps: Walker Mountain, Buckhorn Mountain Although Forest Road 215 is a little rough in places, the road offers terrific views of the canyon into which you’ll be hiking — as you look down, your Lewis and Clark impulses will shift into overdrive. I use quotes because this isn’t much of a trail at all. Directions: From Phoenix take I-17 north to Camp Verde to exit 285. Then, after 5.5 miles and a fourth creek crossing, you’ll come to a point where the trail veers north, away from the water. I brought my pups and thankfully they are trained for this but I'll never do it again, it was just too darn hot. It’s one of the most beautiful places anywhere. West Clear is a easy hiking trail with some shaded areas. Turn right onto FR 215 and continue approximately 3 miles to the trailhead at Bull Pen Ranch. Which is a cool canyon area Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. A lot of ppl swimming in the water holes so parking can be limited. But my dog couldn’t get out of there quick enough, between the hot pads on the feet and fox tail burrs all over him he was very stressed. West Clear Creek Wilderness’ measurements are kinda cool: 2-miles wide by 20-miles long by 1000′ feet high – making it one of the skinniest and most gorgeous primitive canyons in Arizona. The West Clear Creek Wilderness is a 15,238-acre (6,167 ha) wilderness area in the U.S. state of Arizona.West Clear Creek is formed by the junction of Willow Creek and Clover Creek in the Mogollon Rim, which is part of the Colorado Plateau; the Mogollon Rim is the major part of the Arizona transition zone at the southwest of the Colorado Plateau of Utah-Colorado, Arizona-New Mexico. The Clear Creek Trail was built in 1934 and 1935 by the Civilian Conservation Corp (Company 818). © Copyright 2020 Arizona Department of Transportation, State of Arizona. Whatever might have been swimming in that water is long gone, but fossils remain. Length: 11 miles round-trip Follow this primitive road about 1 mile to a rock-pile cairn that marks the trailhead. So beautiful throughout whole trip. West Clear Creek Day Hike; when: Trip Report: June 1, 2013 : where: West Clear Creek Canyon Wilderness east of Camp Verde: the hike Flowing for 30 miles east of Camp Verde through the spectacular West Clear Creek Wilderness area, West Clear Creek is … Lots of pretty scenery in the valley and along the creek. The east side utilizes a vacated road as trail to the Pedestrian Bridge. We took our Jeep, I would be scared to take a small car, just make sure you have some heavy duty tires for all them rocks!!! The trail is pretty level through with a few inclines and river crossings. Copying and downloading images from this site is strictly prohibited. Resources is rocky and bumpy at several spots; we drove a Honda CRV and drove slowly to maneuver jagged rocks. Sand dunes, snakes, scorpions ... there’s a long list of stereotypes about Arizona. I went Memorial Day weekend and got there early. I have a subaru crosstrek and felt very safe driving. The cumulative trail ratings for the V-Bar-V or West Clear Creek submitted by fellow hikers is located above with the Trail Data. so much contrast on this hike. the trail requires some river walking and the water also feels amazing and is super clean. Hi! I went 7.1 miles one way (so 4 miles farther than whats mapped in AllTrails) because there's a trail that forks off to the right and goes nearly straight downhills (where you have to butt scoot) to an amazing spot on the river with tons of swimming holes and small landings to jump from. Looking around, you’ll understand why Congress protected 15,468 acres of this canyon in 1984. Name: West Clear Creek Trail #17. Although there is sand in the state, along with venomous reptiles and eerie invertebrates, there’s more to the landscape than that. This trail provides the only marked and maintained access to the lower reaches of West Clear Creek Canyon Wilderness. You have to take a dirt road about 10 miles to get to the trail head, I have a Subaru Crosstrek and felt VERY safe but think you can manage with a smaller vehicle (I wouldn't personally but it's doable). So bring tons of sun screen, water, and snacks! | Derek von Briesen. Summary: An interesting hike that takes you to a nice creek. Pick up your trash ppl. Fido can roam off leash on this trail that is faint yet hard to get lost on. Bathrooms were locked (7/23/2020), sadly saw lots of trash left behind. and again, in Winslow) this creek offers clearer water, bigger pools, chub fishing, and to me what seems like more resilient trout overall. Took 2liters and had to use lifestraw on the way back at stream crossings. And one of the most impressive creeks is West Clear Creek. This trail leads back up the canyon and can be turned into a 5-mile loop hike with the Maxwell Trail (see trail map below). Just retrace your steps and enjoy the views. Heading east on the south side of the perennial creek, the trail meanders through a lush riparian forest and quickly comes to the second creek crossing, followed by the official boundary of the West Clear Creek Wilderness. crossed it about 3 times. (Brush Creek trail will probably see some improvements in the near future) At the top you will come to a dirt road. Continuing on, the trail parallels the beautiful creek. Will definitely be going back soon and doing the full 8 miles (with proper water shoes), This is one of my favorite places in the entire world! The towering sandstone spires and dense forest cover contrast sharply with the classic high desert environment on the west end of West Clear Creek. Camped 2 nights at this spot and traveled further in without much gear and swam through areas. This trail provides the only marked and maintained access to the lower reaches of West Clear Creek Canyon Wilderness. West Clear Creek Trail is a 8.8 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Sedona, Arizona that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. status date description; Jul 16, 2018 @ 5:15pm. Visit … There is parking available on the west side of the creek behind the businesses even during business hours. The trail is primarily used for hiking and is accessible year-round. Beautiful water pool! Area Status: Open. We decided to head back to the trailhead and hiked along the creek downstream instead. (34°33’28.7″N 111°25’13.7″W)Source: USDA.gov From here you have options to swim, river hike, and fish, although the best swimming holes are deeper into the canyon. Look. A few miles further up the canyon to the east are the more popular Maxwell and Tramway trailheads accessible from the north rim of this canyon. Dogs Allowed: Yes (on a leash) Cool water and green trees fill this this shady oasis in an otherwise rugged desert. Several of the better hiking trails are nearby West Clear Creek Trail including Huckaby Trail, West Fork Trail, Hot Loop Trail, Cathedral Rock / Templeton Trail, Wilson Mountain Trail and Jim Thompson Trail. From its western terminus at Bull Pen Ranch at the canyon mouth, the trail leads upstream into the deep, narrow gorge which the medium-sized West Clear Creek has cut into the southern edge of the Colorado Plateau. It’s an unexpected oasis that shatters stereotypes and nourishes an array of plants and trees, including hanging gardens of maidenhair ferns, scarlet penstemons, columbines, cottonwoods, sycamores, bigtooth maples, Douglas firs, Arizona walnuts, willows, ash and ponderosa pines. West Clear Creek Trail Hike. We hiked West Clear Creek back to Bull Pen ranch in 2.5 days with a total walk time of 22 hours. The trail is mostly clear and blazed, but not bike friendly. West Clear Creek Trail is a 8.8 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Sedona, Arizona that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. West Clear Creek Trail No. Does anyone know who has been there recently if there is water? Back then, Arizona was mostly under a shallow sea. The West Clear Creek wilderness is truly worthy of extended exploration. 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