West Clear Creek Wilderness – Image Gallery
West Clear Creek Wilderness
The West Clear Creek Wilderness is a rugged and remote area in Arizona known for its stunning canyons, clear streams, and diverse wildlife.
Details
West Clear Creek Wilderness
The West Clear Creek Wilderness is a stunning natural area located in central Arizona, just south of the town of Camp Verde. This wilderness area covers approximately 15,000 acres and is known for its rugged canyons, crystal-clear streams, and diverse plant and animal life.Features
One of the most notable features of the West Clear Creek Wilderness is the deep, narrow canyons that have been carved out by the creek over millions of years. These canyons offer incredible hiking opportunities, with trails that wind through towering cliffs and lush vegetation. The creek itself is also a popular spot for swimming, fishing, and camping. In addition to the canyons, the West Clear Creek Wilderness is home to a variety of unique rock formations, including natural arches and caves. The area is also known for its diverse plant life, with a mix of desert plants, such as cacti and mesquite trees, and riparian vegetation, such as cottonwoods and willows.Ecological Significance
The West Clear Creek Wilderness is an important habitat for a wide range of plant and animal species. The area provides critical habitat for several threatened and endangered species, including the Mexican spotted owl and the northern goshawk. The creek itself is also home to a variety of fish species, such as rainbow trout and smallmouth bass. In addition to its ecological significance, the West Clear Creek Wilderness is also an important cultural site for several Native American tribes, who have used the area for thousands of years for hunting, fishing, and gathering medicinal plants. Overall, the West Clear Creek Wilderness is a truly special place that offers visitors the chance to experience the beauty and diversity of Arizona's natural landscape. Whether you're a hiker, camper, or wildlife enthusiast, this wilderness area has something to offer for everyone.West Clear Creek Wilderness
Points of Interest
West Clear Creek Wilderness
The West Clear Creek Wilderness is a stunning area located in northern Arizona, known for its rugged landscapes, crystal-clear waters, and abundant wildlife. Here are some of the most popular points of interest within the wilderness:
1. Maxwell Trailhead
The Maxwell Trailhead is the starting point for many hiking and backpacking adventures in the West Clear Creek Wilderness. From here, visitors can access a network of trails that wind through lush forests, towering cliffs, and meandering creeks.
2. Hanging Gardens
The Hanging Gardens are a unique geological formation within the wilderness, featuring lush vegetation clinging to the walls of a deep canyon. Visitors can hike to the Hanging Gardens and enjoy the sight of cascading waterfalls and vibrant plant life.
3. Bull Pen Trail
The Bull Pen Trail is a popular hiking route that follows the course of West Clear Creek, offering stunning views of the surrounding cliffs and rock formations. The trail passes through shady forests, open meadows, and rocky canyons, providing a diverse and scenic hiking experience.
4. Cedar Bench Wilderness
The Cedar Bench Wilderness is a remote and rugged area within the West Clear Creek Wilderness, known for its towering cliffs, deep canyons, and pristine streams. Visitors can explore the Cedar Bench Wilderness on foot or by horseback, enjoying the solitude and natural beauty of this untouched landscape.
5. Sycamore Canyon Wilderness
The Sycamore Canyon Wilderness is a neighboring wilderness area that shares a border with the West Clear Creek Wilderness. Visitors can hike between the two wilderness areas, enjoying the diverse landscapes and abundant wildlife that can be found in both regions.
Overall, the West Clear Creek Wilderness offers a wide range of outdoor activities and natural attractions for visitors to enjoy, making it a popular destination for hikers, backpackers, and nature enthusiasts alike.
West Clear Creek Wilderness – Images
Description: Panorama overlooking a portion of the West Clear Creek Wilderness area from Forest Road 214 near Blodgett Basin. Taken 7-28-11 by Brady Smith. Credit: U.S. Forest Service, Coconino National Forest.
Image by Brady Smith; Coconino National Forest – CC BY-SA 2.0 – Wikimedia
Description: This little slice of heaven is on the eastern end of West Clear Creek Wilderness. Taken 8-1-12 by Brady Smith. Credit: U.S. Forest Service, Coconino National Forest.
Image by Brady Smith; Coconino National Forest – CC BY-SA 2.0 – Wikimedia
Description: West Clear Creek Trail #17 provides the only marked and maintained access to the lower reaches of West Clear Creek Wilderness. From its western terminus at Bull Pen Ranch at the canyon mouth, the trail leads upstream into the deep, narrow gorge which medium-sized West Clear Creek has cut into the southern edge of the Colorado Plateau. The downstream end of the trail attracts large numbers of anglers, picnickers, and other streamside recreators attracted by the clear pools, slickrock water slides, and tree-shaded riparian areas tucked away between red rock canyon walls. Photo taken April 2016 by Deborah Lee Soltesz. Source: U.S. Forest Service, Coconino National Forest. Visit West Clear Creek Trail #17 and Coconino National Forest for more information.
Image by Coconino National Forest – CC0 – Wikimedia
Description: This little slice of heaven is on the eastern end of West Clear Creek Wilderness. If you look closely, you can see a Turkey Vulture soaring right in the middle of the photo. Taken 8-1-12 by Brady Smith. Credit: U.S. Forest Service, Coconino National Forest.
Image by Brady Smith; Coconino National Forest – CC BY-SA 2.0 – Wikimedia
Description: Colorful cliffs mark the West Clear Creek Wilderness as seen from Forest Road 81E. Taken by Brienne Magee on 7-12-09. Credit: USDA Forest Service, Coconino National Forest.
Image by Brienne Magee; Coconino National Forest – CC BY-SA 2.0 – Wikimedia
Description: Colorful cliffs mark the West Clear Creek Wilderness as seen from Forest Road 81E. Taken by Brienne Magee on 7-12-09. Credit: USDA Forest Service, Coconino National Forest.
Image by Brienne Magee; Coconino National Forest – CC BY-SA 2.0 – Wikimedia
Description: Looking into the West Clear Creek Wilderness near Bullpen at the western end of the canyon. This view shows the beginnings of fall color along West Clear Creek Trail. The trailhead is in the valley just below this viewpoint. Photo taken October 16, 2017 by Deborah Lee Soltesz. Credit U.S. Forest Service Coconino National Forest.
Image by Coconino National Forest – Public domain – Wikimedia
Description: Map of Wet Beaver Wilderness in Arizona's Coconino National Forest.
Image by USFS – Public domain – Wikimedia
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