Arizona Trailblazers Hiking Club
West Clear Creek Day Hike
| when? |
Trip Report :
September 12, 2009
|
| where? |
Mogollon Rim |
| the hike |
At the east end of West Clear Creek we’ll hike down a steep hill and
then follow the creek to the right where we will see petroglyphs and a
grotto. Return the same way. This will not be a fast paced hike and we
will be hiking alongside and in the creek.
We are using an un-named, unmaintained trailhead. The trail goes down on
the south rim of West Clear Creek, descending steeply about 800 feet to
the canyon floor. The trail down requires climbing over and under some
fallen trees. Once on the canyon floor the trail goes upstream to the right
about 1/2 mile or less. There is a very nice little side canyon (grotto)
that is worth exploration and then return to the main trail and continue
upstream, crossing Clear Creek several times until we reach the
Petroglyphs, where we will have lunch and then return the way we came.
Come prepared to wade in water that could get as high as waist deep
depending on prior rainfall. Bring dry clothes to change into when we
get back to the cars. You will get wet, but the scenery is well worth it!
|
| distance |
6 miles round trip |
| time |
4-5 hours |
| EC |
+-1000' elevation change |
| elevations |
6513' (Trailhead) to 5962' (West Clear Creek) |
| type |
round trip |
| starting at |
| FR142E Trailhead |
34° 32.753' N, 111° 25.978' W [NAD27]
|
|
| on trail |
20% |
| hike rating |
"B" [moderate] |
| cost |
When car-pooling, share the cost of gas. The club
also allows voluntary contributions of $1/member or $3/non-member. |
| dogs allowed |
no |
| weather |
Pine |
| meet |
6:00 AM in Fountain Hills at Wendy’s on the north side of Shea Blvd.,
just west of Highway 87 (Beeline).
|
| drive |
| • |
Take Beeline 87 miles Through Payson, Pine and Strawberry to Route 260. |
| • |
Turn left on 260 and take it for approximately 3 miles, past milepost 249. |
| • |
Then turn right on FR 144 for 2 miles. |
| • |
Left onto FR149 for approximately 1.3 miles to a “Y”. |
| • |
At the Y make a right turn onto FR142 for approximately 1 mile and there
make a left turn onto FR142E. |
| • |
The trailhead is 2.8 miles at the end of the road. |
Recommend high clearance vehicles although it is not a bad road and can
be done with regular cars. Total round trip distance is around 195 miles.
|