On Sunday (2-16-2010), we planned to hike to Rocky Gap Boulder and then to an overlook almost 1,000 feet above Lost Creek Canyon. There's a large waterfall about halfway up the canyon that can be seen from the overlook. Unfortunately we were in for an unpleasant surprise.
I knew the canyon would have lots of water from a previous hike when Peter and I descended Graffiti Canyon and I thought we might need a canoe to get through!
I also wanted to see the seasonal waterfall at the start of the south heading canyon. I had been there the previous winter and got some great photos of ice on the surrounding trees.
Well, we did not make it to the waterfall or Rockey Gap Boulder. There was a lot of water in the canyon, but what really made it tough going was all the down trees in the wash. After 0.25 miles or so we got tired of climbing through brush and getting cut up. I am sure someone will clean the canyon. Don't think the BLM or the employees at Red Rock will clean the canyon; they don't know where Graffiti Canyon is located!
We decided to hike to the Upper Falls in Lost Creek Canyon. It's a short hike from Willow Springs parking lot with some easy class 2 scrambling. In no time we were admiring the waterfalls. The main waterfall is still flowing big-time. For the best photos of the waterfall hike to the left (north) on somewhat exposed sandstone to a flat area where you have a better angle of the waterfall. See the photo below. Also there's a video of Lost Creek Waterfall below.
Wow! Great photos. How long will the waterfalls flow for?
ReplyDeleteJust hiked the Liberty Bell Arch trail today. There is considerable construction on the highway in that area. The gravel parking pull-off on the east side of the road where people usually park for the trail had heavy equipment on it and it looks like the "trail head" is being dug under and eliminated. We still hiked the trail by parking at the Arizona Hot Springs parking area and hiking over to the Liberty Arch trail using the old jeep trail that you can find about 10 minutes down the AZ Hot Springs trail. Hiked it today (Wed.) and saw zero other people.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the update. I appreciate it. I hope once the construction is finished, there will be some place to park near the old trailhead.
ReplyDeleteAre you guys not afraid of heights? I never did such climb before and I envy you guys for having such a magnificent experience on top. I also love to hike but just the short distance and simple trail. I hope I got the backbone like you guys.
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