Copper Falls Trail

Copper Falls Trail

Copper Falls cascade over stony shelves.

Chasing winter waterfalls is sort of an unofficial rite of passage for Arizona hikers.

With a few blaring exceptions (hello, Havasupai) most of our state’s waterfalls don’t flow continually.  Experienced hikers know that dark-stained cliffs and jumbled drainages visible along trails hold the potential for spectacular waterworks following episodes of rain and snow melt. Some trekkers even adjust their agendas to sync with the rhythm of the rains.

A rustic corral on the Camp Verde Trail section of the hike.

The spur trail to the falls is a bit of a scramble.

Timing is key to catch the transient desert founts at their best. Pick a day after a storm but pay attention to weather reports and road closures as torrential downpours come with a real threat of potentially deadly flooding.

The tiered flow of Copper Falls.

The fugitive waterworks aren’t hard to find.  

Copper Falls Trail traces a ridge above an ancient lake bed. 

A few famous ones like Encinoso Falls in Sedona’s Oak Creek Canyon, Massacre Falls in the Superstition Wilderness, Grand Falls north of Flagstaff, Bridal Wreath Falls in Tucson and the miles of cascades in Barnhardt Canyon flow reliably along established trails during peak conditions. Others though, reside where you’d least expect them.

One such cascade is the crux of Copper Falls Trail No. 504.  Tucked into a pocket of colorfully-layered sediments that separate the Verde River from Interstate 17, this non-motorized route is the result of grass-roots efforts driven by the residents of nearby Camp Verde.

Following years of working together with Prescott National Forest, the Copper Canyon trailhead project came to fruition with the support of donated materials and volunteer labor.  The roomy, well-outfitted recreation hub officially opened in February 2012.

The new site anchors a popular recreation area south of State Route 260 that’s known for its ATV routes and river-access for fishing and paddling.  Trail No. 504 explores above and within a bowl-like depression of an ancient lake bed where limestone and siltstone deposits disrupted by faults and other geological events have eroded into oddly-sculpted buttes, ridges and gullies.

The trailhead & Verde Valley seen from the switchbacks.

Storm clouds obscure views of Sedona to the northwest.

The 4.1-mile, moderate loop hike begins at a gate in the northwest corner of the trailhead.  Hike a few yards then veer left at a pair of generic trail signs where the route begins a mild 300-foot climb to a crest of a ridge. This scenic segment ascends through a bone-dry landscape dominated by Crucifixion-thorn bushes and acres of cacti.

Crucifixtion-thorn shrubs are common along the trail.

Views of the gaping Verde Valley and the emerald river course backed by the hills surrounding West Clear Creek Wilderness roll out to the north and east. A mile in, the trail tops out on a grassy mesa littered with chalky white stones, a fringe of yuccas and patchy forests of junipers, scrub oaks and pinion pines. 

Water from Copper Falls trickles beside the trail.

The muffled rumble of vehicles traveling on Interstate 17 and views of Sedona’s red rocks mark the beginning of an edgy traverse of the oblong mesa above a deeply furrowed basin.  The airy walk ends with a swift descent on long switchbacks that end at a drainage area where a slim footpath heads into a secluded, stonewalled gorge that hides Copper Falls.

Arizona sycamores thrive in the runoff from Copper Falls.

The 0.2-mile one-way path follows an ephemeral creek cluttered with sycamores, willows, log jams and boulders. Some minor route-finding and scrambling are needed to work your way through to the head of the dead-end canyon where tiered cascades tumble over blocky shelves into shallow drop pools.  

A sycamore leaf floats in a drop pool near Copper Falls.

This leafy oasis stands in stark contrast to the arid high desert that surrounds it.

The return leg of the loop passes through mesquite rangeland

The trailhead officially opened in Feb. 2012.

The trail then briefly traces the fall’s trickling issue before meeting the Camp Verde Trail No. 545. 

Water at the base of Copper Falls.

At the junction that’s marked with only a “504” sign, continue straight ahead passing some old native stone foundations. Soon, the terrain transitions into mesquite-covered rangeland with a rickety corral bolstered by ashen limestone embankments.  Just beyond the corral at the 3.9-mile point, another junction marks the final decision point of the hike.

A plaque at the trailhead recognizes contributors.

Head left for a slightly longer return trip to the trailhead or veer right onto the Saloon Trail No. 9833 (not signed) for a shortcut.

MacDougal's Biscuitroot bloom near the trail.

LENGTH: 4.1-mile loop

RATING: moderate

ELEVATION: 3190 – 3533 feet

GETTING THERE:

From Interstate 17 in Camp Verde, take the State Route 260 exit 287. Go 1.6 miles east (toward Payson) on SR 260 to Oasis Drive, turn right (south) and continue 0.3-mile to Forest Road 136, turn right again and go 0.8-mile to the trailhead on the right. FR 136 is washboard-rough dirt but is passable by passenger vehicles.

There are picnic ramadas with grills and a restroom at the trailhead.

The trailhead is open year round from dawn to dusk for day-use only. No fees.

INFO:

https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/prescott/recarea/?recid=80069

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Massacre Grounds Trail

Massacre Grounds Trail

Weaver's Needle on the horizon seen from Massacre Grds.

It’s curious that even though geologists say that the Superstition Mountains are an unlikely source for rich deposits of gold, myths and legends of finding, loosing and raiding the precious mineral in the unforgiving back country persist. 

Hill 2636 is a distinctive feature along the trail.

From territorial times to the present day, people have been fascinated by the strike-it-rich rumors and tales of ill-gotten gains that ring as loudly and off-key as cymbals in the hands of a restless kid.

Rock pinnacles (L) above Lost Dutchman SP.

Exposure, accidents and violence have claimed the lives of many who followed the lure of greed toward the proverbial mother lode.  For those who believe in ghosts, Massacre Grounds is a good place to find them. 

This rough chute is the most difficult part of the hike.

If you could pick a place to meet your maker, the yucca-studded volcanic mesa surrounded by rolling grasslands, abrupt canyons and sheer cliffs would make for a glorious sendoff.  

The hauntingly beautiful spot at the far northwestern edge of the Superstition Wilderness near Apache Junction is the site of a legendary 1848 ambush where a group of Spanish miners met their demise at the hands of a band of irate Apaches.  Hazy historical accounts suggest that the Apaches took the miner’s pack animals but left the gold—further stoking the quest for hidden treasure.  A good place to tease out the vague, conflicting but always intriguing history of the area’s rough-and tumble past is the Superstition Mountain Museum. The small, but packed space located along State Route 88 not far from major trailheads has regular educational events and exhibits. 

Hikers on the saddle. (R) beneath Hill 2636.

The museum’s new exhibit “The Gold Seekers” uses photos and artifacts to give an overview of the area’s infamous fortune hunters while adding incentive to take a hike into them thar hills.

Gory history notwithstanding, Massacre Ground Trail is a real treat to explore.

Yucca and agaves at the massacre grounds.

View from Massacre Falls

Volcanic structure of the Massacre Grounds site.

Climbing gently along a well-defined path, the route cuts through the remnants of 35-million-year-old volcanic activity. Contorted lava flows, volcanic necks and rugged washes shaded by desert trees and shrubs complement wide-open views of the surrounding wilderness. 

Desert holly grows in  moist drainages on the trail.

The first mile makes a mild ascent of the foothills at the base of craggy mountains. Acres of chain fruit cholla cover the flats that provide a platform for viewing the Four Peaks on the northern horizon and the colorfully layered mounds of the Goldfield Mountains to the west. 

Chain fruit cholla frame views of Four Peaks.

Once past the wilderness boundary fence, the climbing intensifies as the route swings over the saddle of Hill 2636—a dominant conical butte. 

From this point, the distant urban profile of Downtown Phoenix is barely visible to the southwest. 

Four Peaks are visible throughout most of the hike.

Goldfield Mountains on the western horizon.

After a dip into a damp, shady corridor, the trail meets its most difficult challenge—a 0.1-mile slick rock chute. The loose rock and high-steps of this short section look intimidating but getting through isn’t too tough for anybody with nubby footwear and the smarts to take it slow.  

A primitive trail leads to the base of Massacre Falls.

With the climbing mostly in the rear view, the final trudge to the massacre site is a breathtaking journey up a sloping mesa to a junction above a precipice that meets a hoodoo-topped wall of stone. To the south, the signature stone pinnacles of Lost Dutchman State Park appear as giant slabs falling away from the massive cliffs that encompass the Massacre Falls. Dark stains on the rock veneer show where waterfalls cascade over the cliffs after heavy rains. A well-worn path to the right heads down the escarpment to the base of the falls. To the left, a slender footpath traces the edge of the mesa’s broken brim, culminating at the purported location of the miners’ bloody last stand.  Trail’s end is a desolate platform at the cusp of sky and stone with no signs of conflict and no pot of gold.  But the site’s aura resonates in eerie canyon echoes and the calls of ravens passing overhead.

View from Massacre Grounds.

The trail to the massacre site.

LENGTH: 6 miles round trip (including side trip to the falls)

RATING: moderate

ELEVATION: 2116 – 3185 feet

GETTING THERE:

From U.S. 60 in Apache Junction, take the State Route 88 (Idaho Road) exit 196 and continue 7.5 miles on SR 88 to First Water Road (Forest Road 78) located just past Lost Dutchman State Park on the right.  Go 0.5 mile on FR78 to the signed Crosscut-Massacre Ground Trailhead on the right.  FR 78 is rough dirt passable by carefully-driven sedans.

INFO:

http://superstitionmountainmuseum.org/

Tonto National Forest

https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/tonto/specialplaces/?cid=fsbdev3_018739

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PERMITS REQUIRED: FOSSIL CREEK & FOSSIL SPRINGS

FOSSIL CREEK & FOSSIL SPRINGS moves to RESERVATION SYSTEM

On February 26, 2016, the Tonto and Coconino National Forests announced that access to the Fossil Creek and Fossil Springs Area near Pine-Strawberry will require reservations during high season. In order to park at any of the access lots  from May 1^st (April 1^st, beginning in 2017) and October 1^st, you'll need to secure a permit. This extremely popular recreation area has been negatively impacted by over-crowding that creates pressure on the natural resources, traffic backups, mountains of trash (and worse) as well as safety concerns. The goal of this program is to better manage these problems.

The reservation system will go live on March 1^st. You can book online up to 6 months in advance at

www.recreation.gov or by calling 877-444-6777. Permits are $6 and there's a limit of 6 reservations per person per year. 
FULL MEMO & MAPS:
http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd492908.pdf

PICTURE CANYON

PICTURE CANYON NATURAL AND CULTURAL PRESERVE

Flagstaff

A petroglyph panel in Picture Canyon

Vociferous flocks of waterfowl and warblers are just a few of the more than 150 species of birds that   inhabit the wetlands of Flagstaff's Rio de Flag.  A favorite destination for birdwatchers, Picture Canyon Natural and Cultural Preserve is a 477.8-acre, city-owned property along the Rio undergoing habitat restoration, which will return the site to a more natural and sustainable condition.  This section of the Rio--located in Flagstaff's industrial east side--is fed by effluent discharge from the Wildcat Hill Wastewater Treatment Plant. The shallow stream drifts through pine-bolstered riparian greenery before tumbling over the vertical volcanic rock walls of Picture Canyon in a series of cascades that can be viewed from lookout areas along the rim.   Restoration plans include proposed recreational trails to complement the existing state-traversing Arizona Trail and 44-mile city-circumnavigating Flagstaff Loop Trail, both of which cut through the property, adding to the site's potential as a major hiking destination.

Waterfalls in the canyon

In addition to its wildlife habitat and geological significance, petroglyphs (the "pictures") and other evidence of ancient Sinaguan inhabitants are peppered throughout the corridor.

Although the Arizona Trail is signed, most of the other roads and paths within the preserve are not. This makes finding your way around the roughly 6-miles of hike-able dirt roads and paths somewhat of a challenge. To help with navigation, a map kiosk at the trailhead provides an overview of the layout and landmark beacons Mt. Elden and Sheep Hill to the east and Wildcat Hill on the southwest can be used to find your bearings.   Even with miles of trails and wildlife viewing opportunities, it's the "pictures” that most people come to see.  Here's the quickest way to get to them for a 2-mile round trip hike.

From the trailhead, hike on the main road trail and stay straight at the first fork. Go right at a second fork located past the gas plant near a "246" sign  and continue to where the Arizona Trail crosses the road. Turn right here and hike on the AZT to a 4-way junction just before a wooden bridge.  Go left here to reach the rock art gallery.  As with all cultural sites, artifacts should not be disturbed.

Rio de Flag

LENGTH: up to 6 miles

RATING: easy

ELEVATION: 6630' - 6766'

Flagstaff's only waterfall

GETTING THERE:

From downtown Flagstaff, travel 5 miles east on Old Route 66 (a.k.a. Santa Fe) to El Paso Flagstaff, turn left and continue 1 mile to the trailhead on the right. Roads are 100% paved.  No fees.

Arizona Trail passes through the site

INFO:

City of Flagstaff

http://www.flagstaff.az.gov/index.aspx?NID=2881

Preserve Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/PictureCanyon

Friends of the Rio de Flag:

http://friendsoftheriodeflag.org/picture_canyon.html

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BLUE WASH-CAMP CREEK

BLUE WASH-CAMP CREEK

Tonto National Forest, north of Carefree

Sycamores along Camp Creek

The sandy, canyon-bound courses of Blue Wash and Camp Creek provide an interesting twist on desert hiking. During rainstorms, turbulent sheets of water pummeling off of the Cave Creek Mountains rush through these natural funnels that channel moisture into the Verde River. But, on most days, the rocky corridors are hikable mazes of boulders and rock jams settled in a soft-floored, multi-armed gorge that supports a community of willows, sycamores and bamboo plugged into precious groundwater. There's no "official trail" but well-worn footpaths ambling among house-high blocks of granite are reasonably easy to pick out in this quiet section of Tonto National Forest between Cave Creek Road and Bartlett Dam Road that's off limits to motorized traffic.  From the Cave Creek Road trailhead, the hike begins with a passage through "boulder alley" where there are three tricky spots that require some minor scrambling. At the 1.1-mile point, Blue Wash intersects with Camp Creek at a wide "T" junction. Turn left (northeast) here and hike 0.28 mile to visit Camp Creek Falls---a box canyon grotto with spring-fed water cascades and drop pools. Once done exploring the falls, return to the "T" and hike south down the wash another 3 miles to the turnaround point at Bartlett Dam Road. Actual mileage may vary slightly because there are multiple paths through the canyon.

"boulder alley"

LENGTH: 8 miles roundtrip

RATING: moderate

ELEVATION: 2640' - 3200'

GETTING THERE:

NORTH (Cave Creek Road) TRAILHEAD:

From Loop 101 in Scottsdale, take the Princess/Pima exit 36 and go 13 miles north on  

Camp Creek Falls

Pima to Cave Creek Road (a.k.a. Seven Springs Road and FR24). Follow Cave Creek Road 6.5 miles to the gravel lot on the left just past the "Blue Wash #1" sign. Trail begins near the cottonwood trees across from the parking place.

SOUTH (Bartlett Dam Road) TRAILHEAD:

From Loop 101 in Scottsdale, take the Princess/Pima exit 36 and go 13 miles north on Pima to Cave Creek Road (a.k.a. Seven Springs Road and FR24). Follow Cave Creek Road 4.1 miles to Bartlett Dam Road, turn right and continue 2.8 miles to the trailhead on the left.

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The little trails at Tonto Natural Bridge State Park

TONTO NATURAL BRIDGE STATE PARK TRAILS

Payson

Waterfall Trail

Hikers who visit this natural wonder on the Rim often make a beeline for the Gowan Trail.  That's not a bad plan as it is widely considered the "best" trail in the park for those looking for a challenge.  The half-mile dirt route makes a steep dip into Pine Canyon where a plank bridge leads to an observation deck at the base of the world's largest tavertine arch.  If park rangers feel conditions are safe, hikers are allowed to walk through the arch, but if water levels threaten, that's not an option---so call ahead if you're dead set on the full experience.  Although Gowan Trail is the big deal, it's a mistake to ignore the park's four other hiking trails because of their short lengths.  For instance, the Waterfall Trail is a stunning walk on a 300' staircase that hugs the canyon wall above Pine Creek with a remarkably lush wall of ferns and brambles fed by spring water trickling from the rock.  The Pine Creek Trail follows the canyon-bound water that carved the bridge culminating at a tiny swimming area and junction with the Anna Mae Trail. Finally, the paved, accessible trail that leads to four viewpoints is worth a look for the viewing scopes and interpretive signs that give deeper understanding of the park's wildlife and unique geology.

The Bridge

LENGTHS:

Gowan Trail: 0.5 mile one way

Pine Creek Trail: 0.5 mile one way

Waterfall Trail: 300' one way

Anna Mae: 500' one way

Viewpoints Trails:  0.75 mile

NOTE: some trails may be closed when water levels are high

RATING: barrier-free to difficult

ELEVATION: 4530' - 4300'

HOURS: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. daily

FACILITIES: restrooms, water, picnic tables, swim area, gift shop

FEE:  $5 per adult, $2 ages 7-13, Free for ages up to 6 years

GETTING THERE:

From Phoenix, travel north on AZ87 to Payson.  At the AZ260/87 junction in Payson, continue 10 miles north on 87 to milepost 260 and turn left at the park sign.  Follow the winding road 5 miles downhill to the entrance.  Park in the 15 minute area, go into the gift shop to purchase your pass and then move your vehicle to any of the signed trailheads. 

INFO: Arizona State Parks, 928-476-4202

http://azstateparks.com/Parks/TONA/

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Wilderness waterfalls

BARNHARDT FALLS

Tonto National Forest

entrance to the grotto

inside the grotto: March 16, 2013

view of the trail with "chevron folds" on left canyon wall

Late winter snowfall followed by suddenly warm days of spring combine for  a perfect storm for waterworks in the Mazatzal Wilderness.  Because of this, Barnhardt Trail #43 is a busy place from March through early April--peak season for snowmelt waterfalls. In addition to its spectacular display of cascades, the totally canyon bound route zigzags through a complicated stew of geological delights including some spectacular "chevron folds"---accordion-style bends in the canyon wall created by millions of years of tectonic forces.  Also, look for "fossil" waves in the quartzite.  These stone ripple marks are either preserved ocean-bottom wave action or fingerprints of currents of shallow rivlets. Throughout the hike, outcroppings of blush-colored quartzite and dragon-scaly shales are drenched by trickling springs, puddles of melted ice and roaring cascades of water plunging 2000 feet over rough cut cliffs.  Several stony ledges along the way offer excellent views of water flowing at the bottom of the canyon and the contorted rock formations.  A particularly grand vista can be seen at a the 2.80-mile point where a natural rock shelter embellished with clumps of pincushion cactus teeters above a vertical drop with big views of the Mogollon Rim.  Although trail #43 runs for six miles one-way, we like to hike up to the large slot canyon falls at the 3.14-mile point, climb to the semi-hidden grotto and then return the way we came.   Amazingly, some hikers walk right past the slot without even noticing the 100-foot, three-tiered cataract visible around a bend in the rock. The entry is marked by a gushing, double water chute as shown in the photo on the left. It takes a bit of scrambling to get into the grotto at the base of the falls, but the effort pays off in a memorable shower of icy spray and crystal clear plunge pools. 

the rock shelter

LENGTH: 6.5 miles roundtrip

RATING:  moderate

ELEVATION:  4210' - 5580'

GETTING THERE:

From Shea Blvd and AZ87 (Beeline Hwy) in Fountain Hills, travel 51 miles north on 87 to FR 419.  This road is located just beyond the sign for Barnhardt Trailhead and roughly 0.25 mile south of the town of Gisela.  Turn left and go 4.8 miles on FR 419 to the trailhead.  FR 419 is a rutted one-lane track.  Although sedans are frequently sighted at the trailhead, a high clearance vehicle is recommended.

INFO: Payson Ranger District, Tonto National Forest

http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/tonto/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=35281&actid=50

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Video: Barnhardt Canyon waterfalls

BARNHARDT CANYON
Mazatzal Wilderness
The waterfalls along Barnhardt Trail #43 were running wild today. I'll be posting a trip report and photos from today's hike later, but, here's a video of the waterworks in the big grotto.

A waterfall for all

WATERFALL CANYON

White Tank Mountain Regional Park

Pool at the base of Waterfall Canyon: Feb. 12, 2013

Approaching the slot canyon

How many people can fit into the 12' x 12' box canyon at the end of White Tank Mountain Park's Waterfall Trail?  By my observations, at least 16--while a constant que waits on deck to rotate in.  Perhaps a better question might be; what on earth could possibly be so interesting that 16 people would want cram into such a place?  Welcome to one of Arizona's premier mostly-barrier-free hiking destinations. This extraordinary trail's popularity is bolstered by its wide, flat surface which is advertised as suitable for strollers, wheelchairs and walkers for at least the first 0.6-mile.  However, I've seen wheeled trekkers make it all the way up to the final 300 yards where a set of stone stairs leads to the box canyon---and beyond with a little assistance.  This is a beautiful thing.  Because so many of Arizona's special hiking trails require physical stamina and equipment lists beyond the scope of casual day trippers, it's good to know that Waterfall Canyon offers a glimpse of desert splendor to anyone willing to get out of  their car.  Besides the sometimes-flowing-sometime-not waterfall, galleries of ancient rock art line the entire route. "Petroglyph plaza"--an open-air amphitheater with benches--displays several major design panels with trailside signs explaining their significance.

Just below the waterfall, another considerable heritage site includes an eclectic mix of astronomical, hunting and magical designs tapped into boulders.  Here, the trail meets stone stairs for a short climb to the waterfall box canyon.  Inside, a trio of  stone walls, worn smooth by a million rainy seasons, jut vertically skyward from a  white sand beach and plunge pool echoing a serinade of digital camera clicks and whizzes.

Crowd in Waterfall Canyon

LENGTH: 2 miles round-trip

RATING: easy, barrier-free up to the last 300 yards.

ELEVATION:  1500' - 1700'

DOGS: leashed dogs are allowed

FACILITIES: restrooms

FEE: $6 daily fee per vehicle

GETTING THERE:

From Phoenix, go 18 miles west on I10 Loop 303.  Go north and contnue on 303 to Olive.  Turn left (west) on Olive and proceed 4 miles to the park entrance. Once in the park, follow the main road (White Tank Mountain Rd) 2 miles to Waterfall Canyon Road.  Turn left and go 0.4 mile to the signed trailhead on the left.  NOTE: 2013 road construction plans may cause detours.  Visit the  park web site or call ahead for details.

Art in "petroglyph plaza"

INFO: White Tank Mountain Regional Park, Waddell AZ 623-935-2505

http://www.maricopa.gov/parks/white_tank/default.aspx

MAP:

http://www.maricopa.gov/parks/white_tank/pdf/2012/white-tank-8x11.pdf

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