Hiking poles are recommended due to the difficult descent and also helpful when crossing or wading in the creek due to slippery rocks. Long pants (for the bushwhacking) and a hiking stick (for walking in the creek) are very helpful in this section. Although there were numerous pools, many of them were a little skanky. It is slow going, but very enjoyable and the water keeps you from getting too hot during the summer. about 700 ft loss walking into the canyon and 700 ft gain again walking out of the canyon on Maxwell Trail. The trail alternates between switchbacks and some fall line scrambling. We profited by exploring the tip of the peninsula overlooking the confluence of West Clear Creek and Willow Valley. Continue following West Clear Creek Canyon. The trail offers a number of … (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. Location: 34.559958, -111.475589. First Post - West Clear Creek - Tramway Trail This beautiful canyon offers natural springs, secret side canyons, and ample pools for fishing and swimming.   contact, Workman Creek, Reynolds Creek, Hells Hole and SAWUURA, General George Crook National Recreational Trail. When you reach the mellow trickle in .3 mile (2) , drop gear on a sandy bench in this 125-foot wide section of the canyon, grab … 3.1-mile paved trail between Adams Street and Country Club Drive. Excellent campsites abound on gravel bars and stone shelves The bottom half of the upper canyon: This part is accessed by two trails from the south side of the canyon. 30 yr old Recommendation: West clear creek is a very lovely place and worth hiking through. canyon." The Roadrunner has outdoor tables and the Espresso Cafe is open on Sunday. We hiked from swimming hole to swimming hole, leaving the trail behind and scrambling along the creek bed. The trail climbs up to a cliff band near the top of the canyon, bends right, then continues up past a West Clear Creek Wilderness Boundary sign, trail register and parking area. I was feeling lightheaded for some reason. As you get close to the Maxwell Trail, expect to run into about 5-10 people. West Clear Creek Wilderness - Maxwell Trail, Coconino County, Arizona, US Same area and date Another location near West Clear Creek Wilderness - Maxwell Trail, Coconino County, Arizona, US on Sun Aug 02, 2020 A bike shuttle works well here if you don't want to walk along forest roads for 4 miles. Along the Tramway trail we only saw one other party. The vegetation was thick and views of the Clear Creek Canyon were obstructed most of the way. Luckily, there will most likely be some other people at this point that hiked down the Maxwell Trail that can point you in the right direction. After a dry spring, the water was relatively low. Looking around, you’ll understand why … This hike is located near Clint's Well, AZ. A two-mile, gravel surface trail that connects to the paved Clear Creek Trail at Church Lane. After 1.3 miles of total hiking, stay left at the fork (JCT_3L on the map). From the parking lot, be sure to take the trail from the northwest corner. Each trail is less than a mile one way and drops about 700 feet. Aug 6, 2007 at 6:50 pm #1397615. It is very remote and wild with deep pools of water and red sandstone cliffs. There are numerous swims. It shaved three pounds off our pack weight, but is definitely designed for two people who get along really, really well. Search Wilderness Connect For Practitioners Search Wilderness Connect For Practitioners After walking up 0.6 miles and 700 ft on the Maxwell Trail, you arrive at the Maxwell Trail road (FR81E). Length 2.5 mi Elevation gain 731 ft Route type Out & back The trail is primarily used for hiking and walking and is best used from April until November. This was our first trip with our new ultra lightweight tent. The map below shows our approximate route, from the Maxwell Trailhead about two miles downstream past the Tramway Trail. The Tramway Trail is an extremely steep descent to West Clear Creek. This is a good hike to find solitude. Clear Creek Campground has drinking water, cooking grills, vault toilets, a group site, and the General Crook National Recreation Trail nearby. Click on the alphabet header for Willow Valley, West Clear creek, Maxwell Trail, Blodgett Basin, and you will get any info you need. Cascades Park Trail. above the river. About two miles downstream, the trail disappeared and serious wading would have been required. This is the source for everything you need to know about Arizona Hiking. Of course, that's the fun bit too! The Maxwell and Tramway Trails 10/2/14 Maxwell, Bill S West Clear Creek Loop - Trails #31/#17 14 2600 30 10/4/14 Bank, Ellen M Goldwater Lake Trail #396 9 600 13 10/7/14 Spencer, Rob … West Clear Creek – Maxwell Trail. For our fourth straight Saturday of streamside frolicking, we chose West Clear Creek east of Camp Verde. From the parking area, start on the right fork which is FR693. Hanging Garden OHV Route is a 12.2 mile lightly trafficked out and back trail located near Strawberry, Arizona and is rated as moderate. The loop described is 6.3 miles round trip. It would not be difficult to walk by this trail, so keep a sharp eye out for the trail as you walk upstream. It is a steep trail, affording views of the creek from the rim. Unlike its dammed sister East Clear Creek (dammed at Blue Ridge Res. site map  | Just this side of the canyon, there is a large campsite under a rock overhang. Beverly Canyon Trailhead Loop (South Mountain), Templeton trail and Cathedral Rock (Sedona), Box Canyon (Christopher Creek- *Technical), San Tan Regional Park - San Tan trail loops, Petrified Forest National Part and North Eastern AZ, Petrified Forest National Park and North Eastern AZ. 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. Take note of the double portholes across from the Maxwell Trail outlet -- it's not easy to spot the trail from the opposite direction. WCC010 The towering sandstone spires and dense forest cover contrast sharply The Maxwell Trail starts near the end of FR 81E at the northwest corner of the parking area. This is Maxwell Trail #37, turn right and begin climbing this steep path. The travel time through the canyon is slow. Sunlight is sporadic in this narrow canyon, and ice packs lingered in the shadows. Still other times the easiest progress is walking in the creek, which can sometimes be as deep as your waist. To view more results zoom in to a specific location. West Clear Creek July, 2003. Adopt-A-Trail. Also when on HAZ, look at the Devil's Canyon hike. 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. There is a faint trail that crosses back and forth across the stream, so we barely got our feet wet. It's another 0.2 miles to the signed trailhead for the Tramway trail. It took us 3.5 hours of hiking to make this loop. ign of the tram or the trail, although we did find loops of heavy duty cable on the south shore. P.S. The trail switchbacks to the edge of the rim, then it's a steep descent into the canyon. This canyon runs east to west from near Happy Jack up on the Mogollon Rim down to near Camp Verde. Pass Wilbur Canyon on your left (south). Great overnighter on the Rim north of Payson with Dara, Troy and McKenna Marino. Only really opening up at the bottom of the trail. The return trip was easier than expected and only took us about 40 minutes. The Maxwell Trail leads over the Mongollan Rim down the canyon into West Clear Creek. The views of the canyon are impressive. There are countless petroglyphs at the base of the cliff, so it looks like this shelf has been a popular camping spot for many generations. Although still somewhat steep, it is an easier hike than shorter neighboring Tramway trail, which shares its trailhead. West Clear Creek Wilderness Area is a deep entrenched canyon with a year round stream flowing through it. Volunteer to help inspect and maintain trails in Bloomington city parks. An exception was this nice deep hole The Roadrunner is on the east side of 87 just south of junction with 260, and the Espresso Cafe is on the west side just north of the junction. take off northwest of Payson from Forest Route 81E. This trail is steep as it drops into West Clear creek and there is some scrambling involved, but nothing too scary. However, this time none of us paused, choosing instead to push on upstream toward the Maxwell Trail. Bullpen Day Use Area has vault toilets and access to the nearby Blodgett Basin Trail and West Clear Creek Trail . One asphalt trail . The trail crosses over the sharp edge of the Mogollan Rim, and descends to the water below. It would not be difficult to walk by this trail, so keep a sharp eye out for the trail as you walk upstream. Take note of the double portholes across from the Maxwell Trail outlet -- it's not easy to spot the trail from the opposite direction. Bloomington Rail Trail. WCC009. But there was no Tramway Trail is a very short but very steep hike down the ridge of the Colorado Plateau to the nearby West Clear Creek. This hike is rated Moderately Strenuous because of the bushwhacking and wading in West Clear creek. Look for your exit up Calloway Butte Trail #33 (7), marked by a large sandstone cairn to your west and a switchbacking path ascending from water level. You'll enjoy walking along the bottom of West Clear creek for about 0.8 miles before you see the Maxwell trail wind up the pine trees on your left. After 0.4miles of hiking, stay right at the fork (JCT_1R on the map). The trail lies within the West Clear Creek Wilderness and is closed to the use of motorized and mechanized transport (including bicycles). 2.1 miles of hiking along this flat road (after 1.6 miles, stay left at JCT_5L on the map) will take you back to where you parked your car. Stick ( for the trail disappeared and serious wading would have been required after 0.4miles hiking... 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