The Most Beautiful Hike in Southern Arizona: Aravaipa Canyon
I have lived and enjoyed the outdoors in southern Arizona for over the past 35 years. I've hiked many trails and visited some beautiful locations but none of them came even close to last weekend's trip. A couple of Facebook friends, Susan and Howard, had told me about this incredible place many months ago. I took my daughter, Jessica, there for a short hike just to check it out. Within minutes of arriving I knew I would be hiking the entire 11 miles very soon.
My son is in scouting and the leaders mentioned organizing a hiking trip. I over-zealously offered to help organize the trip and told them about this amazing place that so few had heard of. We planned it so half the group would enter from one side of the canyon and half from the other. We would meet in the middle, camp, exchange keys, and continue through. That way everyone would get to see the entire canyon and not have to backtrack. I purchased permits for everyone on the BLM web site. It's $5 per person per day.
Aravaipa Canyon has red rock canyon walls covered in saguaros with the river and many trees below
Our adventure to Aravaipa Canyon began this last Friday at 11am. My group was going to the east entrance through Willcox. It was about a 3 hour drive from Tucson. We were a little apprehensive thinking that it would be quite hot. The BLM web site has a mistake in the directions going from Tucson. From Willcox go north on Fort Grant Road, make a left on Ash Creek and go for about 2.5 miles to Fort Grant Road. Make a right and continue north. The BLM directions say nothing about Ash Creek. The last 38 miles is a mostly good dirt road. Near the end it includes 9 nine crossings if driving all the way to Turkey Creek. When there is plenty of water a high clearance vehicle would be necessary. Water levels were low thanks to a severe lack of rain this year so we were able to park at Turkey Creek. This makes the hike 11 miles. When water levels are high there is parking at the trail head and the hike is 12.25 miles.
Our scout group at the start of the hike
What I couldn't believe upon arriving was how cool it felt, especially along the river. We had just left Tucson and 104 degree weather. But Aravaipa Canyon felt like 80-85 degrees and the water was a brisk 65 degrees. You can't not get your feet wet on this hike. In fact, you are hiking in the water at least a quarter of the time if not more. In our short time here we saw many hawks, herons, butterflies, many deer, frogs, snakes, and even a couple coatimundi. Coatimundi are similar to raccoons only taller, redder and with a long tail. The stream was filled with all types of fish, ranging in size up to one foot. I've heard many people say they've seen big horn sheep, bobcats, and black bear in the canyon.
One of the many beautiful rock formations in Aravaipa Canyon
During our hike we only saw four other groups totalling about twelve people in all. It felt like we had the entire canyon to ourselves.
Additional Pictures from the hike in Aravaipa Canyon:
A Hole in the Canyon Wall
These are actually cattails that I found on the side of the river. Just practicing a little creative photography.
The river flowing through Aravaipa Canyon
Night Photography with the moon lighting up the canyon wall
Two saguaros against the canyon wall
Whew!...taking a rest
Huge Cottonwoods are dwarfed by the massive canyon walls
Moonset over the canyon wall
Hiking through the river
To see all my pictures from Aravaipa Canyon I have uploaded them to Photobucket at http://s1224.photobucket.com/home/saguaropictures/index.
Want to know more about Aravaipa Canyon? Please feel free to contact me. I thoroughly enjoy talking about this beautiful area and all it has to offer. The BLM web site also has additional information and maps.
If you're looking to buy or sell real estate in Tucson, I would love the opportunity to show what I can do for you. Please call me at 520-907-6760.
Greg McCown
Century 21 1st American
(520) 907-6760
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