Update: Fossil creek waterfall

[Azgunlover69]

Anyone been to fossil creek trailhead? Want to take my girlfriend there for our anniversary and the closest parking available is homestead lot 5 which is about 2 miles from the trailhead. So it would be a 6 mile round-trip hike. I am thinking instead of hiking we take mountain bikes and bike from the lot to the trailhead but wondering if the trailhead has anywhere to lock up our bikes? Anyone been recently and know?

 

[AZ_Five56]

I haven't been in years, but from what I understand, visiting Fossil Creek is by reservation only now. I'm not sure about locking up the bikes.

 

[Ballistic Therapy]

Don't they have trees there ?

 

[Azgunlover69]

Don't they have trees there ?

Yes but everything im reading it sounds as tho they are very strict about the permit area. This is where I'm hoping to propose so I don't want to buy a permit and not be able to do what I need

 

[superdrag67]

I was there last year but wasn't at that lot/location. If you're on an actual trail and not following a road, keep in mind that it might not be very wide and it could be a pain if you're on bikes with other people on the trail. They are strict about permits, I can't imagine having a bike would cause any issues but it might not hurt to try and find a phone number to call and find out.

Are neither or you really hikers/outdoorsy type people? 4 miles seems like a lot but it's a beautiful area and even at a slow pace you should be able to walk 2mph, so an extra hour each way.

 

[Azgunlover69]

We are outdoorsy for sure, was more looking to save time so we can spend a good chunk of time at the waterfall. Is the road up there flat or uphill?

 

[QuietM4]

We are outdoorsy for sure, was more looking to save time so we can spend a good chunk of time at the waterfall. Is the road up there flat or uphill?

You won't be able to drive within several miles. It's walking or nothing.

They should have kept the dam...I loved jumping off it.

 

[Azgunlover69]

We are outdoorsy for sure, was more looking to save time so we can spend a good chunk of time at the waterfall. Is the road up there flat or uphill?

You won't be able to drive within several miles. It's walking or nothing.

Won't be able to drive a bike ?

 

[QuietM4]

There is a road from the old power plant, but I have never seen anyone on a bike...don't know if they allow it. Call the forest rangers. Red Rock Ranger District and Visitor Center, (928) 203-2900

 

[Azgunlover69]

I called they said a bike shouldn't be a problem but to ask them when I arrive. Well now, I don't want to lug bikes for no reason. Here's the map. Now the only available lot is 7 and 8, so 3-4 miles away from the trailhead. Im looking to park in the lot, ride the bike on the forest service road to the trailhead.

 

[Azgunlover69]

I called they said a bike shouldn't be a problem but to ask them when I arrive. Well now, I don't want to lug bikes for no reason. Here's the map. Now the only available lot is purple mountain, so 3-4 miles away from the trailhead. Im looking to park in the lot, ride the bike on the forest service road to the trailhead.

 

[QuietM4]

Now, I haven't been to Fossil Creek since before the dam was taken out (waste of money/time/resources). The original trail head, now the Bob Barker or something trailhead, has plenty of trees capable of securing a bicycle. You could just take them a little bit off the beaten path and lock them up out of sight. Sucks that they make you take the long way around now...I wonder why they closed that little section of the road down.

 

[Firemoose]

I was up there a couple years ago and just wanted to point out that the road in is long and VERY rough. A small car could gash an oil pan pretty easy.

As far as I remember, the permits is only for vehicles. I'm pretty sure you could bike in no problem.

 

[Azgunlover69]

Update: the drive in is rough but I flew down and beat the hell out of my Cummins lol. We parked in lot 7 about 4 miles from the trailhead. Biked 3.5 miles and couldn't do it anymore. So we locked our bikes in lot 2 and hiked the last half-3/4 mile to the trail. Then we hiked the mile trail to the waterfall. It was stunning! Well worth it! Proposed and got engaged at the smaller less crowded waterfall and swam with the fish. Hiking back at 2pm in 90 degree full sun was not fun. Luckily a nice family offered us a ride back to the ranger station which saved us 2.5 miles. Then we hiked the last 1-1.5 miles by foot, drove up to get our bikes and took off. All in all I can't believe I have never been there before!

 

[AZ_Five56]

Update: the drive in is rough but I flew down and beat the hell out of my Cummins lol. We parked in lot 7 about 4 miles from the trailhead. Biked 3.5 miles and couldn't do it anymore. So we locked our bikes in lot 2 and hiked the last half-3/4 mile to the trail. Then we hiked the mile trail to the waterfall. It was stunning! Well worth it! Proposed and got engaged at the smaller less crowded waterfall and swam with the fish. Hiking back at 2pm in 90 degree full sun was not fun. Luckily a nice family offered us a ride back to the ranger station which saved us 2.5 miles. Then we hiked the last 1-1.5 miles by foot, drove up to get our bikes and took off. All in all I can't believe I have never been there before!

Congrats! It sounds like it went well.

 

[knockonit]

fossil creeks on fire or near it so far as of shortly ago about 150 acres, bummer huh
Rj

 

[Brlux]

Bummer, Looks like it is called the Backbone fire and it started near midnight last night a little down river from the Child's/Verde hot spring campground.

 

[Gunslinger808]

Already up to 6000 acres.
Hunts ranch and Strawberry are under evacuation orders.

 

[Azgunlover69]

Yeah very sad to see. Have friends in payson and they are under a state of emergency. Glad I got to see the waterfall before it all got torched

 

[jledman]

Access is by permit only now. The fire not withstanding they were pretty easy to get and it keeps the yahoos out. Anybody have an update on the fire there.