Aravaipa Canyon (Galiuro Mts)

 

Our preference to backpack Aravaipa Canyon is via the east entrance which is 149 miles by car (3 hrs) or, 50 miles as-the-crow-flies.

 Our adventure opens with the normal visit to Klondyke AZ...pop 12. We always drop in on the folks who run the small store and make a purchase. It's the kind of place where the dusty screen door slamming behind you wakes the storekeeper snoozing behind the counter. If you're ever needing to avoid the law, on the lam, or need a place to lay low for awhile.  Klondyke fits the bill.

 Map to east trailhead.

Reaching the east trailhead and Turkey Creek requires driving across the creek about a half dozen times.

As we continue to head towards the canyon, we come into the tiny town of Aravaipa where we pass several homes, the Salazar family Church, and an open range 😏. 

To gain an early start to backpack in the morning, our first planned night was to camp (in Thundra) at the trailhead in Turkey Creek, which when flowing, empties into Aravaipa Canyon. Looking up from the campsite, is the oddest tree burl - twin burls shooting from a single one! 

 Cliff dwelling/structure in Turkey Creek.

Next morning: 

With hiking gear on our backs and snacks-in-pockets, we hit the trail and set hiking through water almost immediately. Such is the norm in Aravaipa Canyon. 

We have many pics of dramatic views, but you get the gist.

Sometimes it's not all "Glory and Glamor"

NOT TO MISS a photo op, Noreen quickly snapped the event, then hurriedly went to Rick's side to help get him upright. (true event)

 
Though it was 1/4 mile shorter than our initial aim, we located a grand spot (overlooking the creek) to set-up camp for our 3-day/2-night excursion. Noreen prefers sleeping in her hammock. This vantage point allows star-gazing all night long! Early one dawn, she was awakened to soft splashing in the creek, 8 deer were passing through.

This year, we opted out of taking a day-hike through Deer Creek; instead, we continued to hike further west into the canyon. 

An interesting view is what we dub "Saguaro Window". The natural formation frames a saguaro on a hillside behind it. Though we attempted to get closer to the saguaro, Noreen felt best to view it from a safe distance and climbed part way (🐔) while Rick casually walked over the sketchy 60' drop (💪).

Rick's point-of-view

For preservation purposes, Aravaipa Canyon requires a recreational permit. A total of 50 people are permitted daily into this 12-mile canyon - whether entry is via west or east end. A permit will gain a hiker 3-days/2-nights or, one can op for a day-pass. Permits can be obtained at recreation.gov and may be purchased up to three months in advance (highly recommended). Permits can be difficult to obtain during the fall and spring. Summer is just too hot in the canyon and winter is too cold. Several years ago on a January trip, condensation froze to the interior surface of Noreen's tent.

What we did not encounter on this trip, but have on others, are Coatimundi (Coati), Javelina, Rattle snakes, and a variety of birds.

Pictures from previous trips in Aravaipa:

There are many side-canyons within Aravaipa Canyon. One is Deer Creek (aka Hell Hole Canyon).

Autumn picture

"Hell Hole" in Deer Creek Canyon

Slot canyon in Deer Creek. 

Our two eldest grandchildren at a spring in the "Grotto" in Deer Creek.

This is such a special spot for us. Water is springing forth from a pocket in the base of a cliff which, is about 100 feet high. This water is so clean and fresh that we don't filter it; the infiltration process has already taken place as the water has soaked into the rock - we collect it straight from the rock! The grotto is the ultimate prize of hiking one-mile into Deer Creek! A great spot to stop, hang out, and have lunch.                               

                                                                        Let's do it again!