Aravaipa is one of the prettiest canyons in the world and it is basically unknown. Only 50 people are allowed in per day making it feel like a true wilderness. I packed my backpack with all the overnight essentials-layers of clothing, shelter, food and water and set out to Aravaipa early Monday morning. I started the hike with a group of other people but quickly was alone in the great wilderness as I hike quickly.
The trail follows a creek bed on narrow paths through grass (pic 1) or through rock and brush but often the path just dead ends into the creek. You simply just cross the slow-flowing, ankle-deep water to the other side and proceed along the path. The 90 degree high temp midday mixed with the cool but not cold water made hiking through the creek refreshing and fun.
At some parts you simply had to walk through the creek as the canyon walls narrowed. Pic 2 shows me in my hiking gear through such a section. The creek would weave around east west north and south but getting lost was impossible as you simply just followed the creek. The canyon changed as I continued hiking up stream. Pic 3 shows a pretty middle section with cactuses high on the upper ridge. Pic 4 shows the end section with Bryce-canyon hoodoo-like walls.
After seven hours of hiking I finally made it to the end of the 14 mile canyon. I explored up the access road beyond and then came back and setup camp near the far entrance (see my modest but lightweight shelter in pic 5). I prepared dinner and was eating just as darker clouds rolled in and the sun was setting (pic 6). Just as I got under my tarp shelter a light rain started falling-- the first rain all trip.
The trail follows a creek bed on narrow paths through grass (pic 1) or through rock and brush but often the path just dead ends into the creek. You simply just cross the slow-flowing, ankle-deep water to the other side and proceed along the path. The 90 degree high temp midday mixed with the cool but not cold water made hiking through the creek refreshing and fun.
At some parts you simply had to walk through the creek as the canyon walls narrowed. Pic 2 shows me in my hiking gear through such a section. The creek would weave around east west north and south but getting lost was impossible as you simply just followed the creek. The canyon changed as I continued hiking up stream. Pic 3 shows a pretty middle section with cactuses high on the upper ridge. Pic 4 shows the end section with Bryce-canyon hoodoo-like walls.
After seven hours of hiking I finally made it to the end of the 14 mile canyon. I explored up the access road beyond and then came back and setup camp near the far entrance (see my modest but lightweight shelter in pic 5). I prepared dinner and was eating just as darker clouds rolled in and the sun was setting (pic 6). Just as I got under my tarp shelter a light rain started falling-- the first rain all trip.
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