Road Trip Daily

The nice thing about Canyons is that they look different going the other way.  Having hiked from the west to the east end of Aravaipa the previous day, I got up early  at 6am , had some coffee and protein bars for breakfast, packed up my gear and headed back to my supervan.  The sunlight hitting the top of the canyon walls made the east hoodoo-like section human-like (pic 1).  The cool spring water on my feet was delicate as I sped down the creek. After about three miles I look a right turn to explore Hell Hole Canyon, a dry side canyon that I had read was stunning. The walls were towering and winding and narrow. Being in the narrow dark canyon so early in the day was a bit creepy feeling for some reason. Like other animals I felt safer when I was close to the water. After thirty minutes I turned back around and left the Hell Hole Canyon (pic 2 shows the entrance of Hell Hole) and returned down stream.  It wasn't until noon that I ran into another human being. T...

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 ...