Four Forest Restoration Initiative update

Forest Service Provides Early Opportunity to Preview 4FRI Draft Environmental Impact Statement

Coconino National Forest

As avid hikers, we should all be aware of restoration and woodland health efforts planned for the Coconino and Kaibab National Forests.   Today, the forest service released to the public a draft of the plans and how they may impact the landscape.  Our input is encouraged.  Let's be proactive in assuring forest health is maintained while protecting access to public lands.  Here's the press release and link to the draft statement:

FLAGSTAFF,
Ariz. – The Forest Service is providing the public with an early
opportunity to preview the Draft
Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Four Forest Restoration
Initiative (4FRI).  The DEIS for the first analysis area on the Coconino
and Kaibab National Forests has been posted to the 4FRI website at
www.fs.usda.gov/main/4fri/planning.

In
response to public input, the Forest Service will offer a 60-day formal
comment period on the DEIS, which
will begin with the publication of the Notice of Availability (NOA) in
the Federal Register.  The NOA is expected to be published in late
March.

In order to allow additional time for public consideration of this extensive document, online access to the
DEIS is being made available by the Forest Service prior to the official start of the formal comment period.

“There
are numerous individuals and groups with an interest in this document,”
said Coconino National Forest
Supervisor Earl Stewart.  “We wanted to provide as much time as
possible for people to digest the information and begin to form comments
and questions.”

When the official NOA is published, the Forest Service will announce dates for public meetings.  The public
meetings will provide interested individuals the opportunity to learn more about the DEIS and comment on its contents.

http://www.fs.usda.gov/main/4fri/planning

Wildflowers of the wild west

COFFEE FLAT to WHITLOW CANYON

Superstition Wilderness

corral at Whitlow Canyon

Fairy Duster

Early spring brings a magical transition to the Superstition
Wilderness.  It's a time when
winter-worn shrubs and the gray stubble of last year's flora make a yawning
renewal.  Right now, the craggy, hilly
terrain is awash in splendor-hinting shades of green with the first of the
early blooming wildflowers already beginning to show on sunny side of the mountains.  Although most any trail in the
Superstitions would be good for viewing wildflowers, the routes leaving from
the Peralta trailhead are particularly productive due to the way water rolls
down from hoodoo edged ridgelines over loose-soil slopes before settling into
deeply incised canyons where mesquite and Palo verde trees play nurse maid to
myriad fragile perennials.  For our
first wildflower hike of the year, we selected a mostly unshaded route to catch
the early bloomers. This week we observed spotty specimens of wild hyacinth,
fiddleneck, scorpion weed, buckwheat, brittlebush, red maids, filaree and
Mexican gold poppies.  Best of all,
an abundant crop of sprouts teased for a better-than-average wildflower season
to come. Color was best along the Dutchman's Trail, especially where riparian
life zones thrive around lingering pools of water. 
At 2.6 miles, we turned onto the Coffee Flat Trail with the goal of
visiting the mesquite bosque and old stock corral at Whitlow Canyon. The corral is a
collection of knotted barbed wire and rusty signs drenched in rugged old west
character.  Before heading back the way we came, we took a break beneath
a twisted mesquite tree surrounded by greenery that will soon burst into fields
of golden poppies .

Water on the Dutchman's Trail

HIKE PLAN:

From the Peralta trailhead, begin hiking east on Dutchman's Trail #104.  At 2.6 miles veer right at the signed
junction for Coffee Flat Trail # 108. 
Follow #108 for 1.7 miles to the prominent wash of Whitlow Canyon, cross the
wash and within a few yards, look for a cairned "Y"
intersection.  Take the right fork
to get to the corral. See "more photos" for images of these unsigned
waypoints.

LENGTH:  9.2
miles roundtrip

RATING:  easy-
moderate

brittlebush

ELEVATION: 
2287' - 2680'

FACILITIES: restrooms

GETTING THERE:

From Phoenix, travel east on US60 to Apache Junction.  Continue roughly 8 miles to Peralta
Road (FR77) located between mileposts 204 and 205.  There’s also a sign
indicating "Peralta Trailhead". Turn left and follow Peralta Road 7.2
miles to the trailhead. 

INFO: Mesa Ranger District, Tonto National Forest,
480-610-3300

http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/tonto/recreation/ohv/recarea/?recid=35495&actid=30

MAP:

http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5163340.pdf

MORE PHOTOS:

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Desert wildflower season 2013

WILDFLOWER HIKING SEASON 2013 GETS OFF TO A COLORFUL START

Mexican gold poppy: Feb. 23, 2013

Red Maids: Feb. 23, 2013

Desert Rock Pea: Feb. 23, 2013

Wild hyacinth, aka Blue Dicks: Feb. 23, 2013

Desert wildflowers are popping up all over the low deserts this week.  With a decent amount of cultivating winter rain and warming temperatures, the show is off to a good start. Here's a sampling of what's blooming in the Superstition Wilderness right now.  Stay tuned for updates and wildflower hike trip reports. Can't wait?  Click on the "wildflower" link in this blog's trail index for dozens of top blossom-viewing trails.

GPS withdrawal at Skunk Tank

SKUNK TANK-CAVE CREEK LOOP

Tonto National Forest

Cave Creek Trail

New River Mesa as seen from Skunk Tank Trail

Except for an A minus I once achieved in a grad school
statistics class, I've never been particularly gifted with numbers.  This might explain my befuddlement over
the actual length of Tonto National Forest’s Skunk Tank-Cave Creek Loop
hike.  Additionally, inconsistent signage and
conflicting published reports didn't help rectify the numbers.    It's pretty common
knowledge that forest service trail signs are rounded up or down to convenient
fractions.  Trail segments that are
actually 0.3 mile might well be posted as .25 mile and 0.6 mile as 0.5
mile.   Yup, that's me
splitting hairs for no good reason, and yet, over 10 miles or more, with 5
trail junctions, the discrepancy can add up and escalate into a hot topic especially
along that last mile which always feels longer than its advertised range.  A check of various hike books, maps and
web sites declare this trail length at anywhere from 9.2 miles to 12
miles.   So, I geared up for a
12-miler, grabbed my GPS and stepped out to get my own read.  Now, I wasn't about to place too much
trust in my GPS either.  That's
because on past hikes, GPS-totting trekkers in my group have all come up with
different mileage reads on their devises----BIG differences, like 2-3
miles.  But, since my devise is
brand new and set up to acquire all those extra Russian satellites, I figured,
why not give it a try.

But, I refuse to be a GPS junkie---checking moving speed and
elevation profiles every half-mile and robotically announcing the results to
bored travel companions as if it mattered.  Nope. Set up, hit track, waypoint when necessary and don't
look again until trail's end.  We
began the loop hiking counterclockwise to take on Skunk Tank Trail #246 (note:
some trail signs mistakenly say Skunk "Creek").  This open-to-the-sky segment makes a
steady climb over rolling desert hills dotted with cactus and the sprouts of what may be a good wildflower season .  At 1.4 mile from the 246 junction, run
off from Quien Sabe (means: "who knows") Spring spills down a narrow
gully.  The spring itself is 0.3
mile up the gully, but it's a bushwhack to get there, and frankly, not
worth the effort.  Skunk Tank Trail
tops out at a 4100' lookout point with dizzying views of New River Mesa,
Humboldt Mountain and Quien Sabe Peak. 
From here, the route plunges downhill toward Skunk Tank on a slim path
cut into sloping, exposed (not for acrophobics) hillsides.  The tank is a lovely willow-ringed
oasis where swarms of birds and other local wildlife---like mountain lions and
deer---gather to quench their thirsts and maybe score a meal. Pass through the
tank's rustic barbed wire fence and soon the junction with Cave Creek Trail #4
comes into view signaling the final leg of the hike.  This is also the best part because trail #4 moves among the
waters of Cave Creek, lofty canyon walls, a lush riparian ecosystem and two
rare crested saguaros.  Back at the
trailhead, my GPS read 10.385 miles. 
I'm gonna call it 10.4-miles, and "who knows" if it's really
10.6 or 10.2. Who cares?

Cave Creek water: Feb. 16, 2013

LENGTH:  10.4
loop

RATING: 
moderate

ELEVATION: 
2980'-4100'

FEES: a Tonto Pass is NOT required at the hiker trailhead,
but may be required if you park at other recreation sites in the area.

GETTING THERE:

Cave Creek Trailhead (as described here): From the Loop 101
in Scottsdale, take the Pima/Princess Road exit 36 and go 13 miles north on
Pima to Cave Creek Road.  Turn
right (east) and go 12.5 miles on Cave Creek Road (a.k.a FR 24 and Seven
Springs Road) past Seven Spring Recreation Area to Cave Creek trailhead on the
left located between MCDOT mile markers 12 and 13.  Roads are a mixture pf pavement and good dirt passable by
passenger cars when dry. Two minor creek crossings on cement are required—do
not attempt after heavy rains.

HIKE PLAN:

From the trailhead, pick up Cave Creek Trail #4 and hike 0.6 mile south to the Cottonwood Trail #247 junction.  (NOTE: winter 2013 flooding has washed out much of this area.  Cairns and red trail tape have been placed have been placed as temporary navigation tools).  Follow #247 less than a mile to the Skunk Tank Trail #246.  Follow #246 to Cave Creek Trail #4, turn right and follow it back to the trailhead.

INFO:

Cave Creek Ranger District, Tonto National Forest,
480-595-3300

http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/tonto/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=35249&actid=50

MORE PHOTOS:

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Snow! Snow!

Snow on the McDowell Mountains: Feb 20, 2013

Doesn't  this make you wanna ditch work and go hiking?  Here's the view from my office window in Scottsdale this afternoon.  Rare desert snow on a sunny afternoon. Oh to be on a McDowell Sonoran Preserve trail right  now!

Take your best shot at the McDowell Sonoran Preserve

McDowell Sonoran Preserve 2013
Photography Contest

If you've been reading this
blog for more than 15 seconds, you already know I'm a huge fan of
Scottsdale's McDowell Sonoran Conservancy. We hikers have them to
thank for preserving irreplaceable desert land on the outskirts of
our suburbs and also for building a stunning network of trails for our
enjoyment. And, the work continues with plans to expand recreational
opportunities in the Brown' Ranch area this year. Haven't been there
yet? Now is the perfect time. Spring wildflower season is here and
the McDowell Mountains area's rich biodiversity makes it a premier
location for bloom spotting.  May I suggest the Bell Pass and Gateway Loop Trails.....

As an extra incentive to
draw visitors to the preserve, the Conservancy has launched its 2013
Focus on Conservation photo contest. This year's categories are
biodiversity, sustainability, families and fitness. So grab your
camera and submit your best shot for a chance to be featured in an
online gallery.

Whether you head out on your own or as part of one of the organization's guided hikes, it's a great way to get to
know all about this North Valley jewel of a hiking destination.

DEADLINE: May 31, 2013

CONSERVANCY INFO:

http://mcdowellsonoran.org/home#sthash.3FUHEKX2.dpbs

PHOTO CONTEST INFO:

http://mcdowellsonoran.org/content/pages/contestEntry2#sthash.vU42smVx.dpbs

Hike to Devil's Kitchen and the Seven Sacred Pools

SOLDIER PASS-BRINS MESA-CIBOLA PASS-JORDAN TRAIL LOOP

Coconino National Forest, Sedona

Devil's Kitchen

Seven Sacred Pools

For a short trek, this little loop packs in plenty of
variety.  First up, is Devil's
Kitchen---Arizona's largest sinkhole. Formed by a series of catastrophic
geological events, the hole will continue to grow over time and the AZ
Geological Survey considers the area unstable and hazardous. Although it might
look tempting, the sinkhole is just not safe to explore beyond the trail. A link below leads to an AZGS article
about Devil's Kitchen and includes lots of interesting maps and data.   Beyond the slump, head left and hike less than a mile  to see the "seven sacred pools", a chain of shallow ponds scoured
from red sandstone that reflect both blue sky and colorfully-layered canyon
walls.  Once done exploring the pools, follow the trail through a calming landscape of cypress, juniper and yuccas to the sign for Red Rock Secret Canyon Wilderness. 
Here, an unsigned, but obvious footpath heads right for a mildly steep quarter-mile
side trip to the Soldier Pass Arches. Past the arches, the route makes its final ascent to the
Brins Mesa Trail junction.  At just under
5,000' the views here are breathtaking and breath saving as it's all downhill
trekking from here.  Continuing
southeast on the Brins Mesa Trail, the route dives into a canyon land of
Paleozoic-age sandstones singed by the 2006 Brins Fire.  A haunting landscape of blackened
stubble mixed in with healthy high desert flora splatters the gorges in
earthy shades of green.  A mid-segment
lookout point provides unobstructed vistas of Sedona, and sometimes, graceful
waterfalls can be seen washing over distant crags. 

HIKE DIRECTIONS:

From the trailhead, follow the access path 0.2 mile to the
first junction and turn left to pick up the Soldier Pass Trail.  Hike roughly 0.7 mile to the wilderness
sign where an optional side path leads to a series of natural arches.  This side trip will add 0.5 mile to the
hike.  Continue another 1.0 mile on
Soldier Pass to Brins Mesa Trail. 
Turn right here and hike 2.0 miles to the Cibola Trail, turn right and
go 0.6 mile to Jordan Trail, turn right again and hike 0.3 mile to the Soldier
Pass junction, turn left and hike 0.2 mile back to the trailhead.

LENGTH:  5-mile
loop (5.5 with arches detour)

RATING: moderate

ELEVATION: 
4,450'- 4,930'

FEE: A Red Rock Pass is required.  $5 daily fee per vehicle.

http://www.redrockcountry.org/passes-and-permits/index.shtml

HOURS: the Soldier Pass trailhead is gated and open only
from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

There's alternate access off Jordan Road.

GETTING THERE:

From Phoenix, go north on I17 to exit 298 for Sedona/Oak
Creek. Turn left (west) onto SR179 and continue to the traffic circle
intersection at SR89A.  Veer left
through the circle heading toward Cottonwood on SR89A.  Between milepost 372 and 373, turn
right onto Soldier Pass Road, drive 1.5 miles to Rim Shadows, turn right and
continue 0.25 mile to the short drive to the trailhead on the left.

INFO: Coconino National Forest, Red Rock Ranger District
,928-203-2900

http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/coconino/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=55392&actid=50

GEOLOGY ARTICLE

http://azgeology.azgs.az.gov/archived_issues/azgs.az.gov/arizona_geology/winter09/article_devilskitchen.html

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

MORE PHOTOS:

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A beautiful suburban treadmill trail

PINNACLE PEAK TRAIL

City of Scottsdale

Winter storm over Pinnacle Peak Trail: Feb. 9, 2013

Traversing the north face of one of Scottsdale’s signature
geological wonders, Pinnacle Peak trail is as manicured and swanky as the tony golf
communities lapping at its base. 
It's a beautiful trail for sure, but don't expect solitude—this suburban
route is the north Scottsdale equivalent of Piestewa Peak---replete with
elbow-to-elbow crowds and buff bodies intent on maintaining target heart rates.  More of an outdoor tread mill than a
hiking trail—most people come here for a workout---except for me, who comes to
take photos and indulge in a post-hike beer at nearby Greasewood Flat saloon.
The trailhead is nicely outfitted with restrooms, drinking water, visitor
center and picnic tables.  An
informative sign marks the start point followed by mileage posts every quarter
mile and lots of little plaques identifying points of interest like plants and landmarks visible from the trail.  Like a sky island jutting
above an emerald sea of country club homes, the trail gets just high enough
above civilization for a decent desert experience  but stays close enough for
comfort when hiking alone or with winter visitors. 

View of the final mile  from near the trail's high point

LENGTH: 3.5 miles out-and-back

RATING: moderate

ELEVATION: 2,366' – 2,889' (trails climbs both on the way in and out)

DOGS: not allowed

BIKES: not allowed

HOURS: dawn to dusk and variable---check web site before
going

GETTING THERE:

From Loop 101 in Scottsdale, take the Pima/Princess Drive
exit 36 and go 4.5 miles north on Pima Road to Happy Valley Road.  Turn right (east) and go 1.8 miles to
Alma School Road, turn left (north) and continue 1 mile to Pinnacle Peak
Parkway turn left and follow the signs to the park.  Turn left (west) on PPP and go 0.5 mile to the park.

INFO: City of Scottsdale 480-312-0990

http://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/Parks/pinnacle/

MORE PHOTOS:

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Take the Sedona Hike Challenge

Hike in Sedona for a chance to win prizes.

No doubt---Sedona is a world-class hiking destination. So, why aren't you getting out there more?  Perhaps the Sedona Hike Challenge will inspire you to make a couple of trips to Red Rock Country this winter.  Sponsored by The Hike House, Sedona businesses and hiking equipment companies, the challenge is easy and some lucky winners will walk away with an AWESOME prize package just by hiking 2 Sedona trails.  Plus, its PRIME hiking season---so, this is a win-win challenge.

Here's how it works:

1.  Go to http://www.sedonahikechallenge.com to learn about the event and prizes.

2.  Bring your camera and hike 2 Sedona trails.

3.  Upload your hike photos to http://www.facebook.com/SedonaHikeChallenge to be entered into the prize package drawings.

Event runs through March 15, 2013.  Check the web site for deadlines and details.  Good luck!



The Hike House

431 SR 179 #B-1

Sedona, AZ 86336

928-282-5820

http://thehikehouse.com

http://www.sedonahikechallenge.com/



The author is not participating in this event and has not received trade or payment for this blog mention....it's just a cool opportunity worth a mention. :)

An "upside down" river ramble

HASSAYAMPA RIVER PRESERVE

The Nature Conservancy, Wickenburg

River Ramble Trail

Palm Lake

Tucked between 
US60 and  BNSF railroad
tracks on the outskirts of Wickenburg, an enchanting forest thrives in a rare
riraprian corridor of an "upside down" river. Like many desert
waterways, the Hassayampa River--which runs 100 miles from Prescott to the Gila
River southwest of Buckeye--flows underground except in only a few places, thus
earning its Yavapai moniker "upside down" river. One place in the river's course  where water flows year-round is The
Nature Conservancy's Hassayampa River Preserve. More than two miles of hiking
trails wind through this 700+- acre property.  The paths range in difficulty from barrier-free (Palm Lake
Trail) to mildly challenging (Lykes Lookout) and each showcases a particular
aspect of the site's ecological diversity.  The most wild of the trails is River Ramble  which  wanders along the waterway in a tangle of gigantic
cottonwoods and Goodding willows with a carcophony of bird songs drifting through the canopy.  Here, it's easy to spot herons and
other water fowl lurking among cattails. Along the muddy banks, a frenzy of
racoon, opossum, skunk and fox prints betray the critters skulking in the
underbrush.  Other preserve trails
focus on endangered mesquite bosques and a spring-fed lake replete with
water-loving vegetation.  It's no
wonder this place is a magnet for birds both common and rare.  In February, Cedar Waxwings and
Yellow-rumped Warblers splatter flicks of lemony color through trees and shrubs.  More common aboreal winged creatures
like brilliant scarlet  Northern
Cardinals and vociferous Curve-billed Thrashers add familiar sounds to the bird
convention.  February is a terrific
month for viewing either on your own or as part of a guided tour.  Either way, plan on spending several
hours exploring this incredible roadside gem.

LENGTH: 2.54 miles (6 short trails)

RATING: 
easy-difficult

ELEVATION: 1900'- 1980'

FEES:  $5 per
person ($3 for members). Kids 12 & under get in free.

DOGS: pets are not allowed in the preserve

HOURS:  Sept -
May: 8 a.m - 5 p.m. May - Sept 7 a.m. - 11 a.m.. Hours/Days vary by season, so
visit the website or call ahead. Closed on Mondays,Tuesdays and most major
holidays.

GETTING THERE:

From Phoenix, go north on I17 to Carefree Highway
(AZ74)  at exit 223.  Turn left (go west toward Wickenburg)
and continue 30 miles to US60. 
Turn right (north) and go 6 miles to the Conservancy turn off on the
left near milepost 114.

INFO & MAP: The Nature Conservancy, 928-684-2772
http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/arizona/placesweprotect/hassayampa-river-preserve.xml#thingsToDo

MORE PHOTOS:

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Mountain lions and waterfalls

DOUGLAS SPRING to BRIDAL WREATH FALLS

Saguaro National Park, Rincon Mountain District

Bridal Wreath Falls: Feb. 1, 2013

Douglas Spring Trail

Sometimes, timing is everything.  This is particularly true in the desert where spectacular
waterfalls appear like raging liquid phantoms after periods of rain, only to
dissolve into trickles and knat-loving muddy drop pools within days.  One of the most accessible transient
water shows happens in Saguaro National Park East.  Almost anybody with a pair of decent hiking shoes, a few
liters of drinking water and a spare afternoon can marvel at the wonder of an
ephemeral desert water chute by way of the Douglas Spring Trail to Bridal
Wreath Falls.  Because it's so easy
to access, the trailhead is a busy place, especially on weekends.  A shaded kiosk marks the trail gateway
into a sunny land of cactus and scrub backed with views of Tucson’s Rincon and
Santa Catalina Mountains, which tower to over 8,000 feet.  The route is tantamount to a 2.5-mile
staircase. It’s a constant and sometime steep climb through a landscape that morphs
from classic desert into a massive grassland with the feel of an African
savannah.  Although there are no
wildebeasts or giraffes roaming these plains, it’s prime habitat for mountain
lions.  A sign posted at the trailhead
warns of numerous recent mountain lion sightings and as of January 30, 2013, the
Three Tanks Trail, which connects with Douglas Springs, is closed due to their
high activity in that area.  In
addition to the big cats, javalina, rabbits, and deer share the wilds with gila
monsters, raptors and desert tortoises. 
The turn off for the short hike to the falls shows up at the 2.3-mile
point. Here, surrounded by miles of shadeless, mesquite-dotted prairie, the
only clue that a waterfall is nearby is the park service sign pointing the way.
 A mild descent leads to a grotto
of polished stone where a mild boulder scramble is required to get to the
50-foot cascade plunging over bare rock like a wind blown ribbon.  Alas, the falls were more like a dripping
faucet on our February 1, 2013 visit, however, they are known to rage like a white
water river after heavy rains and during high snow-melt season.

Snow on the Rincon Mountains

LENGTH:  5.2
miles roundtrip

RATING: moderate

ELEVATION: 2745' - 3827'

DOGS: sadly, canine hikers are not allowed on Saguaro NP
trails.

FACILITIES: none

FEE: no fee at this trailhead

DISTANCE FROM PHOENIX: 
137 miles one way

GETTING THERE:

From Phoenix, travel south on I10 to Tucson.  Take exit 257 at Speedway Blvd and head
east (go left).  Follow Speedway
Blvd 17.5 miles to where it dead-ends at the Douglas Spring Trailhead.  Roads are paved all the way.

INFO & MAP: Saguaro National Park

http://www.nps.gov/sagu/planyourvisit/upload/new-hike-in-word-pg-2-map.pdf

MORE PHOTOS:

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