In past hikes we went in through the more accessible West trailhead, but this time we went via the East, which requires a high-clearance vehicle to get to, and involves driving through the stream a bunch of times. It takes at least an hour longer from Tucson to get to than the West entrance, and technically you're supposed to park about 1.5 miles west of the actual wilderness boundary and hike along the road into the wilderness. Because of those issues, I'll probably just stick to the West entrance in the future, and just plan on hiking further if I want to get to the Eastern end (the Canyon is only ~10 miles long).
The first night, we camped at Turkey Creek, just outside of the wilderness boundary. We hiked in the second day and set up camp near Booger Canyon, a side canyon feeding into Aravaipa, which was about 4.5 miles in from the wilderness boundary. We originally planned on exploring a bit in the afternoon, but there was a lot of clouds and thunder, so we decided to stick to our high-ground camp rather than risk getting caught in a flash flood. On the third day, we hiked back out towards the East, stopping at Hell Hole Canyon which feeds into Aravaipa from the North, and hiked a few miles into it.
Pictures from my hike in fall 2007 are here, and those from my fall 2008 trip are here.
The official BLM web page for Aravaipa Canyon, with info and an online permit request form, is here. Further information, including free topo maps of the Canyon, can be found here.
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Our campsite at Turkey Creek |
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Starting the hike into the Canyon on day 2 || || \/ |
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Our campsite, across from Booger Canyon |
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The sky got fairly cloudy, and there was a lot of thunder, so we decided not to stray too far from camp || || \/ |
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In the end, the sun came back out.... |
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...then started to set |
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My view, waking up on day 3 |
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Beginning the hike back to the trailhead || || \/ |
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This fairly large rattlesnake surprised Joe, who was unlucky enough to be at the head of the line || || \/ |
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Small natural arch (above and to the right of center). You can see part of a Saguaro through it. |
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Hell Hole Canyon, which is a neat side canyon that cuts a deep, narrow, and winding path through the layers of conglomerate rock in that part of the Canyon || || \/ |
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Small plant taking advantage of water seeping out of the rock |
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A 'hanging garden' where water seeps from the rock |
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Spring near where we turned around |
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Bighorn Sheep! |
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More opportunistic plants |
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Note the natural arch near the top |
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Heading out of Hell Hole || || \/ |
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Lunch break |
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Last shots on the way out of the Canyon || || \/ |
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