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BELL TRAIL
Wet Beaver Creek Wilderness
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| Wet Beaver Creek |
The weather is heating up and soon we'll be heading to higher elevations in search of cool summer trekking. But right now, with temperatures hovering between warm and torrid, a visit to the high desert, swimming holes of Wet Beaver Creek is just the ticket for a refreshing day trip. Few things are more invigorating on a
sweltering day than a dip in a canyon stream. The Bell
Trail #13 leads to one of the most beloved of all Arizona swimming
holes—“the crack”. Tucked into a slender slot canyon where the
chilly, spring-fed waters of Wet Beaver Creek flow year-round, this
natural water park attracts droves of visitors.
The hike in is completely exposed to
the sun, but never strays far from the creek with its lush riparian
vegetation, numerous shallow pools and slick-rock water chutes. At
the 3.25-mile point, the trail comes to a junction near Bell
Crossing. Although the official route veers right, crosses the creek
and climbs 1,200 feet to the top of the Mogollon Rim, those in search
of plunge must hang a left instead and head for the red cliffs that
form “the
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| Rapids at Bell Crossing |
crack”.
LENGTH: 6.5 miles roundtrip
RATING: moderate
ELEVATION: 3,880 – 3,980 feet
FACILITIES: restroom, nearby camping
DRIVING DISTANCE FROM PHOENIX: 115
miles
GETTING THERE:
From Phoenix, travel north on I-17 to
exit 298. Go left (east) onto Beaver Creek Road (Forest Road 618)
and continue 2.1 miles to the trailhead on
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| The Crack |
INFORMATION: Red Rock Ranger District, Coconino National Forest, 928-203-7500,
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