Was originally Fossil Springs - Backpack Trip

Trip Switched to: Wet Beaver Creek

Note that the planned trip to Fossil Springs must be postponed to next year since the whole Fossil Springs area including the trailheads, trails, springs, creek and Childs/Irving power plants was recently closed by Tonto National Forest Rangers and APS - operator of the power stations. The closures are related to the further decommissioning of the power plant equipment (flumes, water diversion etc). The closure is effective Sept 18th - ~Feb 2009 just impacting our trip dates.

However we will travel to another area for a similar length hike to another great Southwest water location - Wet Beaver Creek in the Beaver Creek Wilderness Area Nr Sedona.  This is a very similar character of hike to Fossil Springs.

Wet Beaver Creek - Backpack Trip 2008

Post Trip Report:

Another Successful Troop 278 backpack trip. This was by far the best attended backpacking trip in my time with the Troop!  We had 27 Scouts and 14 leaders/parents make the trip to Wet Beaver Creek Wilderness near Sedona, AZ.

Weather was ideal - mostly sunny with some occasional cloud - a few drops of water but no real rain... we still got wet - but only by choice in the waterholes we visited!

We had no problems securing our planned camping spot at the weir - our early start time really paid off! We had this site all to ourselves for the whole trip and filled it to overflowing. Its a pretty spot with nice shade at a wide still spot in the creek with a small spring cascading down opposite with fern laden red rock cliffs above.

Most of the crew  hiked the extra ~2 miles up to "The Crack" a huge fissure in the red rock with a superb swimming hole. This year the place was very very busy - mostly with day trippers who started to leave while we were still there. Our large group slowed down our movement a little so we didn't have time to visit Balance Rock & Horseshoe Pool this year - maybe we'll plan a trip to do a longer wilderness adventure backpack further upstream on Wet Beaver Creek some other time. 

On Sunday getting up & out at about 6am, cooking breakfast and breaking camp went very smoothly for a such a big group - the new Scouts did an excellent job for a first time. Hiking out was a little faster than hiking in and we had a group stop on the way back for refueling (cars & people!).

We had no significant injuries, problems or significant gear issues  - everything went according to plan and we saw some interesting food  & gear choices in use!

Scouts & parents - now is the time to discuss & make notes on what worked well - and what needs improvement for next time's backpack... What gear did others have that you think would be good to take, what did you take & not use, what kind of food choices did you see that you might prefer next time, did you get blisters or any other trail problems? do you have any questions for the leaders? Parents if you have any questions about this trip or for next time - ask one of the Scoutmasters or myself.

Even after years of backpacking - I still come back with at least one new idea each time...

Mr. Moore

Original Notice:

Overnight Backpacking Trip September 20th - 21st 2008

Trip Leaders: Mr. Moore (with Mr. Saba & Mr. Kofron)

This is an approx 3.5 mile each way overnight backpacking trip in the Beaver Creek Wilderness area just east of I17 near the Sedona turn-off. At our campsite location there is a creek with a weir, rope swing and several more great swimming holes upstream. Cooler weather, red rock, water holes & great scenery all round.

Suitable for all levels of backpackers - (this a similar length - but a much easier hike than Fossil Springs due to less elevation change).

Please let me know Monday 15th or by email if you no longer wish to participate due to this venue change.

See the Flyer for details
 

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