Top 3 Waterslide Hikes: West Clear Creek, AZ
Hike through a winding canyon, then cool off in a whitewater spa.
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Eaton Canyon, CA | West Clear Creek, AZ | Meadow Run, PA
From Bald Hill trailhead in Coconino National Forest, descend 1,800 feet over three miles of talus slopes to the canyon floor and pick up West Clear Creek Trail (#17). Traverse juniper-lined benches above the creek that have three-mile views of the 1,200-foot banded canyon walls, and drop to water-level for four cairn-marked crossings of the cool, Arizona cypress-shaded waters. After seven miles, the trail ends at Bull Pen Ranch trailhead in a collection of swimming holes connected by shallow channels in the red rock—some are perfect for sliding. Want all the water but none of the crowds? Take the social trail to water at mile three, and bushwhack through shore-side vegetation and rock hop upstream for an hour to 10-foot Supai Falls.
Refuel
End a hot day with salsa picante at Las Margaritas in Camp Verde. (928)567-2435
The Way
From Camp Verde, go east on AZ 260 for seven miles and turn left onto FR 618. In four miles, turn right onto
FR 214. After 5.3 miles, turn right onto FR 214A and drive or walk 1.1 miles to trailhead.