Out Hiking Again

Since we didn't make it to the Arizona Hot Springs via White Rock Canyon a couple weeks ago, we decided to head out on Travis' between rotation break weekend down the Arizona Hot Spring trail. This trail doesn't seem as distinguished compared to the trailhead for White Rock but once you're on it, you can tell it's definitely a trail taking you down a different canyon. Out of the 3 hikes we've done to Hot Springs, this one is definitely the most difficult. There is a 30ft drop, class 4 climbing that we had to get down with Lily. The climbing was a sinch, but having to pass Lily down a straight down 30ft drop was a little tricky.


The class 3 scrambles were also more difficult than the ones at the Gold Strike Hot Springs, again only because we had a dog with us. We also took a side-hill off the trail route that looked like it would be easier, but it took me forever to make it across because of the loose rock. I do have to say that I liked this hike better. The views were more interesting and the canyons more narrow. I love the conglomerate rock and this is the only trail that has it, sheer walls of it too. Not as pronounced as Maple Canyon outside of Nephi, UT, but still cool looking and in some places climbable for the more technical climber.

We make it to the hot springs and planned it well. A new ladder was recently installed which allows hikers to access the river and rafters to access the hot springs. It's a really nice ladder with handles too.

The hot springs are super clear and small and sandwiched in between tall narrow canyon walls. Someone also recently set new sandbags creating a damming affect with 3 separate pools. Lily of course loved the water. She'd jump in off the sandbags and swim until it was shallow enough to stand. We'd have to pull her out of the water to cool down because she just loved staying in it. There were a few people there when we arrived-a daddy daughter rafting/canoeing expedition from San Diego. There isn't much room to lounge around with strangers there, so we just waded in the water and sat on the sand bags. It would be the perfect hot springs if you happened to be there alone for awhile.




On the hike back out, a random old guy suggested that about a mile out to take a trail that goes up the mountain, over a saddle to the left. There was still enough light out, so we ventured to take what we later found out is called the River By-pass. It was a good steady uphill hike with no class 3 or 4 climbing. Just regular old uphill hiking. Great booty work out and a lot easier to do with a dog or if you're back packing a baby or kid. It's shorter too, so we got back just as dusk was setting in. This Arizona Hot Springs hike is about a 5 mile round trip hike and probably about 4-4.5 with the by-pass. We could definitely tell the difference after the 7+ mile hike we did a couple weeks ago. 5 miles was just perfect for me. :)