The road from Strawberry is very narrow with extreme drop-offs (steep side slopes on both sides) and in some spots two vehicles cannot pass. Trails for hiking and horseback riding, swimming holes, waterplay, unique rock formations, great scenery, wildlife viewing, lush riparian area.Ībout 30 miles southeast of Camp Verde or 86 miles south of Flagstaff off paved and graveled roads some of which are always steep and VERY rough and usually muddy after rains. Many plants and wildlife depend on Fossil Creek for habitat, including otters, beavers, leopard frogs, and common black hawks. You can access Fossil Creek one of two ways: by driving 14 miles down a rough dirt road where youll find access points to the creek, or, the more fun way (in our opinion) - a strenuous four-mile hike one way and 1,500 feet of elevation down to the headwaters of Fossil Creek. In 2005, Arizona Public Service (APS) decommissioned the Fossil Creek Dam and Flume, restoring full flows to Fossil Creek.įossil Creek is a rare riparian area within an otherwise arid landscape. The high mineral content leaves travertine dams and deposits, giving rise to fossil-like features. Over 30 million gallons of water are discharged each day at a constant 70 ☏. These collie dog-sized wild pigs are plentiful in the area.įossil Creek is one of only two National Wild & Scenic rivers in Arizona and is fed by springs coming from the cliffs of the Mogollon Rim. While you're here, keep an eye out for javelina. The lushness of the riparian area strikes a sharp contrast to the brittle desert that surrounds it. It's also a great place to take photographs. Most people come to Fossil Creek to sunbathe, wade, hike and birdwatch. The trail follows the hillside down to the creek and continues along it. The trail starts at the far end of a fence line that was put up to protect rare spring snails. The Fossil Creek Trail offers over 8 miles of paved pathway (in two disconnected segments) on the south side of Fort Collins, a college town at the. Visitors must park in the lot and walk up the road to the beginning of the trail. The parking lot is located a few hundred yards downhill from the entrance to the trail. The trail itself is one mile, but you'll have to hike about a quarter of a mile from either parking area to get to the trailhead. Difficulty rating: 3 o The Fossil Creek trail is a gorgeous trail leading down to a waterfall that provides a great spot for a picnic. The Waterfall Trail on Fossil Creek is one of the most popular areas on the creek. That rock-like substance encases whatever happens to fall into the streambed - forming the fossils for which the area is named. This is a well maintained, graveled, Forest Road, prone to getting a washboard texture. Over the years these calcium laden waters have laid down huge deposits of a material called travertine. The trailhead is located 15 miles along Fossil Creek Road. One way is hiking the 9 mile trail from Strawberry, and this is a strenuous hike that is not recommended for kids. Fossil Creek, one of two "Wild and Scenic" rivers in Arizona, seems to appear out of nowhere, gushing 20,000 gallons a minute out of a series of springs at the bottom of a 1,600 foot deep canyon. You can access Fossil Creek and the waterfall by two ways.
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