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Weekend Warriors Arizona Hiking Guide
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If a hike to a desert wash with views of Lake Pleasant appeals to you, then this is the hike for you. This hike is located near Peoria, AZ. To get to the trailhead: from the Phoenix area, take the Carefree highway (SR-74) West to Castle Hot Springs Road (Lake Pleasant exit). Turn right and drive 10.9 miles to the trailhead. This road eventually becomes a well graded dirt road. The last mile is in a wash, which is OK if there is no recent rain. Passenger cars are probably OK on this road. At 10.9 miles, you will pass over a cattle guard. The small pullout for parking is immediately on your left. Castle Hot Springs road is a popular place for ATVs and dirt bikes, so keep vigilant while driving here. Be Aware of: ATVs. 30 yr old Recommendation: It was a very pleasant walk in the desert with surprising solitude considering how close we were to civilization. I've seen this hike also called Spring Valley, although I think this is very misleading, as it does not go to Spring Valley. This is an Easy hike. Elevation change: about 250 ft elevation gain.
Distance: The hiking distance to Garfias wash is 5.6 miles round trip. Time: It took us about 3.5 hours to complete this hike. Time of year: Winter is best. Spring or Fall could also be nice. Solitude: Surprisingly good, considering how close we are to the popular Lake Pleasant. We only saw two other hikers. Map: Click here for a map One of the many things I enjoy about hiking in Arizona is that even the most average sounding hike can still hold surprises. This hike fit that description well... From the small pullout, there is a brown hike marker continuing along Castle Hot Springs Road for about 50 yards. If you look at the dry wash, you'll see two huge cairns in the wash. Head to the cairns to the signed start of the trail on the opposite side of the wash. After signing in at the trail register, start walking along the easy to follow path into the Hells Canyon Wilderness. This hike travels through the typical sonoran desert, complete with Saguaros, Barrel cactus, Cholla cactus, and other desert vegetation. If you're lucky like we were, recent rains will add green grasses to add to the color of the area. At the first trail junction (marked as Jct 1 on the map), soon after you cross the wash and about 0.2 miles from the start, you'll stay left here. There are many large rock cairns here to enjoy and it makes it quite difficult to get lost. After 2.8 miles of hiking, the trail drops steeply into Garfias Wash, which is a nice place to stop for a break and serves as a good turn around point for this easy hike. If you are lucky enough to get the same surprise as us, be sure to wave hi to the wild burros. If you've still got energy, explore up the Garfias Wash. Otherwise, when you're ready, return the way you came.
[Wild burros say hi]
[A pleasant walk]
[heading towards Garfias Wash]
[View of Lake Pleasant]
This hike was done in January of 2009.
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