Hiking in the West Clear Creek Wilderness

Yesterday my dad, Uncle Jack, Zach, and I ventured into the West Clear Creek Wilderness of the Coconino National Forest northwest of Payson.  Uncle Jack had scouted the area a few weeks before and thought he'd found a good location to get into the canyon and down to West Clear Creek.  We took three tries at it but were unable to reach the creek, which looked awesome.  Despite getting soaked in rain at the end, we had a great time, and plan to try it again soon to reach that elusive creek and its swimming holes.

Venturing forth from the car












These next shots were taken from our starting off point.  This would be an awesome camping spot...

           

         

These next shots and video were taken about halfway down the first side canyon we tried unsuccessfully to get down.  It was the most fun climbing.

        

I snapped this photo of my dad on our second attempt, in a second canyon.  You can see how steep and difficult the ground was.  We had to use the trees to climb up and down.  This hike about did my dad in.

On our third attempt, we followed a much more gradually sloping canyon down and saw some pretty neat things, including a bat.

        

       

       

       

Four Corners

We took the long way home from Pagosa Springs to stop at Four Corners.  Bobbins had been before but I never had.  The Indians have erected quite a little commercial enterprise there and charge just to get into the parking lot.

       

           

        

The drive back to Phoenix was a bear, especially from Four Corners to I-40.  We again stopped in Holbrook for a cheap Mexican dinner, and in Payson for a break.  Coming down the mountains from Payson to Fountain Hills was a blast of hot, humid, dusty air.  The effects of the haboob lingered and reminded us how great Colorado was.

CO: Leaving

It was quite tough to say our goodbyes Friday morning ...  but we had some fun taking photos of all the kids.  Seven girls and one boy.  Clint finally got a boy in, but hopefully we're not too far behind.

       

CO: Last Day, Night

Thursday afternoon, after a quick nap, we ventured down the hot springs that give Pagosa its name.  The price was pretty steep but they had a number of pools, some quite warm.  All the little girls had a good time.  JoJo and I walked around town for a while before joining them in the springs.

Aunt Mel with Stan on the left

MM's still quite the waterbaby, and is now jumping in by herself no problem

JoJo swindles her old Gramps out of some Hershey pie after dinner

     

We hadn't done one of these photos in a while

We finished the night with a ping pong tournament, replete with a scorecard and everything.  Mavis and Mountain Man Monte squeaked by Ryan and I in the final, 21-19.

CO: Piedra Falls

Thursday morning Susan, Mavis, Dallas, and I and our spouses and children drove up to Piedra Falls, north of town.  It was a longer drive than most of us bargained for, about half on dirt road.  The hike was only about ten minutes from the parking area to the falls.  If I hadn't been able to jump into the freezing cold water and swim to the base of the falls, it almost wouldn't have been worth it.

            

          

          

          

       
Reluctant and excited ... but a blast for both of us

       

       

        

       

     
The only downside is that there were a lot of flies on the water.