Spent the long weekend in and around West Clear Creek AZ.
I have only driven through this area in the past and was anxious to do some hiking and exploring along this part of the Mongollon Rim. The cooler climes of higher elevation was a wonderful reprise from the Vegas heat.
Our most notable day was Sunday. We did a loop hike that started at a car spot above the rim of West Clear Creek just down stream of the notable area known as the Red Boxes. We traveled on foot across country several miles to a drop-in point above the White Boxes area. Well, that is where it started to get interesting.
None in our party of four had ever been in this area but being good little map readers ans GPS holders we found our way through the forest and to our designated drop in, sort of. Once in the right area we found a break in the small cliff band and started down the slope in what was moderately brushy terrain but nothing terribly hard. The further we went the worse it got. The terrain became VERY steep and full of cactus, scree, interspersed cliff bands and all other sorts of things that succeeded in removing ample amounts of my skin. I’ve always had good luck avoiding cactus, yuka and the like. Well, I now have a story of one of those days. I pulled more spines from myself in a short hour than I care to talk about. After continuing to press a bad line we cliff’d out 100′ above the now tempting cool waters of West Clear Creek. One of our party members pressed a bad line in a cactus chocked gully with lose rock and exposed falls at every turn and maybe luck favors the bold or foolish because we where rewarded with a 4th class break in the rock that allowed us access to the river. YEAH. The prospects of ascending what we had just descended would have been truly miserable at a new scale. Cheers to Bret for getting us off that God forsaken hill.
The moral? I should have had one more quick look at the quad prior to dropping off the hill. I would have noticed we where only about a tenth or two of a mile south of the much easier walk-in. The route we had intended to take. We hit the river a hot, tired and bleeding bunch and the hike had only started. It was now 11 AM and time to fall into the water and recuperate from my little route finding fiasco. If there was ever an entrance that needed to be followed by clear cool water and deep refreshing swims this was it. Well, that is just what we got.
The water bolstered our spirits and it wasn’t much longer until we where back to having fun. A concept completely lost on us only a half-hour previously. the hike through WCC was beautiful and once at the hanging garden springs all cameras where out. This is an incredible natural beauty. We boulder hopped and swam our way down canyon for a couple miles until we hit the Red Boxes and promptly found a nice 25′ cliff where we could jump into a deep swimming hole. We had turns taking pictures of each other doing what boys do (and canyoneets too) playing! There where simu-jumps, triple jumps and all such of tom foolery until we had our fill.
After several more long beautiful swims the Red Boxes ended as beautifully as they began. We turned the corner and the canyon turned from red sandstone cliffs to Riparian in a flash. Time to start thinking about an exit. We found a spot of shade and filtered water ate and reveled in our superiority to lessor mammals. A short adventure up a narrow canyon was feeling all wrong. After the events of earlier that day we pulled the map out sooner than later. Sure enough, we need to go another 1/4 mile down river. Next drainage to the west and the description I got was matching perfectly. YEAH. While this drainage went with no problems the climb up the steep boulder field was its own form of fun for the next hour. I had been told about the 5.4 up-climb at the bottom. The fact that right at the head of the drainage it cliffs again was a surprise. Another 20′ 5.easy climb on lose crappy rock found us on the rim. Have I mentioned I hate unprotected face climbs? Why do you always feel safer while wedged in a crack, even if the fall height is the same?
Ten and a half hours after bidding it farewell we found the truck with no problems. We did encounter one mature adult rattlesnake on the walk back to the truck. The snake rattled aggressively and toke up a striking stance even though we where a good three feet away. It’s pose was impressive, pulled back holding it’s head a good 8″ off the ground and looking very menacing. This is the first rattlesnake I have seen that could be described as almost completely black. It’s coloring is very fitting to the dark volcanic like rock that is so prevalent on the canyon rim.
The other days where spent exploring other side drainages in the area and we had a fantastic time. I owe much thanks to a couple friends who where so willing to help me gather information on this area. So, thanks … you know who you are.
Till later,
Neil
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