BADGER SPRINGS WASH TRAIL

BADGER SPRINGS WASH

Agua Fria National Monument

Confluence of Badger Springs Wash & Agua Fria River

Petroglyphs along Badger Springs Wash Trail

Anybody who has travelled  Interstate 17  between Phoenix and Prescott has inevitably sped past the Agua Fria National Monument. The placid rolling hills and boulder fields that are visible from the freeway belie a wilderness of wind-swept grasslands, deep canyons, extinct volcanic features and hundreds of historical resources.

Hikers on the Badger Springs Wash Trail

Proclaimed a national monument by President Bill Clinton in 2000, the 70,900-acre, Bureau of Land Management supervised tract is rich in Native American cultural sites that date to between 1250 and 1450. A.D. 

Steep cliffs flank the Agua Fria River

The remains of more than 400 structures and petroglyph (rock art) panels dot the area. Although most of these delicate and irreplaceable sites reside off-the-radar far from even the worst of the rough roads that criss-cross the monument’s remote mesas and tree-lined drainages, two official trails offer short hikes to some of the area’s most impressive sights.  For those with a high-clearance vehicle and the fortitude to get through a white-knuckle section of edge-clinging dirt road, the massive footprint of Pueblo La Plata on the rim of Perry Mesa above Silver Creek offers walkable exploring. But for a longer, tougher hiking experience, take the Badger Springs Wash Trail.

Willows and cottonwoods thrive in the moist sandy soil.

 

Trees on Badger Springs Wash Trail turn gold in early winter

Located just over a mile from the freeway, the mile-long trail follows a sandy drainage corridor that empties into the Agua Fria River.  Just before trail’s end, petroglyph panels on crags flanking the wash’s east side bear dozens of etchings of animals, humans and artful designs.  As with all archeological resources, please to not touch, alter or remove anything.  The river’s edge marks both the end of the official route and the beginning of a memorable backcountry adventure into a steep-walled gorge with numerous obstacles. Hiking beyond the confluence of the wash and the river is safe to do only when water levels are low.  Do not attempt this hike during rain storms as there is a high potential for deadly flooding. Also, during very wet periods, the route may be impassible.

Perry Tank Canyon seen from Richinbar Mine

Petroglyphs date to between 1250 and 1450 A.D.

High water levels foiled our canyon exploration on 12-8-18.

From the river-wash confluence, it's possible follow the waterway  in either direction, but the most dramatic scenery can be found when you head right (south).  This bend in the river is flanked by the inky black basalt spewed by 4042-foot Joe’s Hill—a dormant shield volcano.  (Joe’s Hill is visible as a low mound directly to the east across from the Black Canyon Rest Area on I-17.)  The twisting course is a mix of soft sand, parched mud fields, acres of boulders, drop pools, rivulets and islands of cottonwoods.  Running water continually changes the landscape, so you’ll need to hunt-and-peck your way through the quagmire. Be alert around puddles and sandbars because groundwater can create invisible sinkholes and spots of quicksand. Use a hiking stick to test ground stability. Throughout the trek, rusty relics of area mine operations rest crumpled in crevasses. Roughly 2 miles from the confluence, Perry Tank Canyon flows in from the east and, although not visible from the canyon floor, the ruins of Richinbar Mine sit on the lip of the canyon 700 feet above.  Even though the hike to this point hasn’t been very long, the irregular route and constant scrambling will tax your stamina more than you think.

When accessible, the canyon hike is rocky and challenging

Highly-skilled, properly outfitted trekkers can opt to continue slogging through either canyon, but for a day hike, this makes for a good turn around point. 

Running water scribbles lacy rivulets in Badger Springs Wash

LENGTH: 1-mile to the river

RATING: easy, then difficult

ELEVATION: 3100-2900 feet

GETTING THERE:

From Phoenix, travel 40 miles north on Interstate 17 to the Badger Springs Road exit 256.

Continue 1 mile east to the trailhead.  A high-clearance vehicle is recommended on the rough dirt and gravel road. 

INFO:

Bureau of Land Management

https://www.blm.gov/visit/badger-springs-trail

Friends of the Agua Fria National Moument

https://friendsoftheaguafrianationalmonument.wildapricot.org

HIKING WITH TOURISTS : PART 2

BADGER SPRINGS WASH

Agua Fria National Monument

Air travel these days is a real bear. What with the body scans, shoe searches and the outright abuse  of  overhead bin space, trying to cram a decent pair of hiking boots and a backpack into weight-restricted luggage is certainly not at the top of the “to do” list of many holiday travelers.  Yet, with so much to see in the great Arizona outdoors, we simply should not let the lack of good equipment put a damper on treating our winter visitors to a hike.  Here's one local favorite that's not too rough but has a nice wilderness feel to it.  Badger Springs Wash Trail is a short, sandy gateway to Agua Fria Canyon ending at the mouth of the gorge just before the going gets tricky. One of only two  “official” trails in Agua Fria National Monument, the route delves into a world of steep granite walls and gangly scrub with a panel of ancient petroglyphs at trail's end serving as the outing's  piece de resistance. Although properly-equipped hikers can stumble through the full length of the boulder-strewn canyon, tourists are usually thrilled by the unfamiliar sights

and satisfied with the enormity of eye-candy along this abbreviated trek. 

Head of Agua Fria Canyon, Dec. 9, 2011

Boulders & Sand define Badger Springs Wash

LENGTH: 2 miles roundtrip

RATING: easy (some rocky spots)

ELEVATION: 3,100' – 2,900'

GETTING THERE: From Phoenix, go roughly 40 miles north on I-17 to exit 256 for Badger Springs Road.  Turn right and continue about 1.2 miles (past the restroom) to the circular parking area. This last mile is on rugged dirt/gravel, so a high-clearance vehicle is recommended.

The trail begins at the southeast side of the lot.  You'll see a sign and register box about 50 yards in.

INFO: Bureau of Land Management, 623-580-5500

http://www.blm.gov/az/st/en/prog/blm_special_areas/natmon/afria.html

AGUA FRIA CANYON

AGUA FRIA CANYON Agua Fria National Monument North of Black Canyon City You never know what you’ll encounter when visiting this amazing canyon. Sometimes, running water makes the way treacherous and/or impassible, gushing over boulders and floodplains and collecting in 10-foot-deep pools at the base of vertical basalt cliffs. During dry times, however, the canyon transforms into a rugged wash. Either way, this is not an easy hike. Here are a few photos from our November 2009 visit. ALSO SEE MY PRIOR ENTRY FOR A MORE DETAILED TRIP REPORT FROM APRIL 2005 LENGTH: 8-12 miles (optional) RATING: easy then DIFFICULT ELEVATION GAIN: 560 feet GETTING THERE: Take I-17 north past the Sunset Point rest area and then take exit 256 (Badger Springs Road). Turn right at the exit (east) and drive about a quarter of a mile to the signed Agua Fria National Monument kiosk. There are free maps and an interpretive sign there. Once you have your maps, continue down Badger Springs Road for about a mile to the obvious parking area where there is also a “Badger Springs Wash” sign. The hike starts there. No fees, no facilities, no water, no mercy…come prepared!

AGUA FRIA CANYON

AGUA FRIA CANYON Agua Fria National Monument North of Black Canyon City The guidebooks don’t mention the quicksand. The treacherous little sinkholes, disguised to look like normal sand, lurk along the beaches and in the sandbars of the Agua Fria river like so many land mines poised to suddenly grab onto a hiking boot and pull its occupant knee-deep into a mucky suction-hold. Quicksand is just one of the reasons why exploring in the canyon is not for the unadventurous or inexperienced. Following the rugged canyon where riparian vegetation flourishes on the shores, is quite difficult and requires complicated water crossings, boulder-hopping and route-finding skills. The hike starts out easy enough along a well-defined dirt road that merges into footpaths along Badger Springs. About a mile in, Badger Springs dumps into the Agua Fria river. There, ancient rock art on the northeast canyon walls signals the beginning of the difficult portion of the hike. At the confluence, head right (west) and follow the water into the canyon, taking time to scope out the landscape ahead as rapids and vertical rock faces present a continual maze of hazards. A good pair of gloves and sturdy boots with traction help in spots where climbing the ledges high above the river is necessary to circumvent obstacles. It’s also a good idea to place cairns or trail flags at “critical move” locations to assist on the way out. Lots of sweat, determination and use of smart hiking skills will get you through the canyon safely and with a bit of luck, you may even spot some of the pronghorn and bald eagles that the guidebooks promote to a fault. We didn’t see any pronghorn, or eagles on our-April visit, however, two vultures riding the air currents above served as a reminder to tread lightly and with caution. LENGTH: 3-12 miles (optional) RATING: easy then DIFFICULT ELEVATION GAIN: 560 feet BEST TIME TO HIKE: fall thru late spring GETTING THERE: Take I-17 north past the Sunset Point rest area and then take exit 256 (Badger Springs Road). Turn right at the exit (east) and drive about a quarter of a mile to the signed Agua Fria National Monument kiosk. There are free maps and an interpretive sign there. Once you have your maps, continue down Badger Springs Road for about a mile to the obvious parking area where there is also a “Badger Springs Wash” sign. The hike starts there. No fees, no facilities, no water, no mercy…come prepared!