Friday, August 20, 2010

Video: Agua Fria River Canyon Trip

Date: Sunday, Aug 09, 2009
Where: Agua Fria River
Location: Badger Springs Exit 256 Off I-17
What: Hiking/Canyoneering
Difficulty: Moderate
Time: 13 Hrs
Distance: 7 Miles

I started at 10 AM at Badger Spring Wash trailhead and exited at Sunset Point. Done Agua Fria River hike before though this hike ran into problems - though I made it out ok. Had my helmet, flashlight, and water pump/purifier. No river flow. River bottom up to I-17 was ugly. I got cut up pretty bad going up - severe bushwhacking. Canyon won this time. Canyon:1 Pete:0


I could not locate the hiking trail from the Agua Fria River to Sunset Point. The area was overgrown with native grasses. I did not see any cairn marking the trail! I contacted Yavapai County Sheriff's Office via 911 for help. The Yavapai County Sheriff's Office could not get a ping on my location! The sheriff's office could not locate me when I called them dialing 911! The cell phone I have is a GPS enabled Pro 700 by Sanyo. Rugged, military standard design. My cell phone provider (Sprint) was able to ping my location and the sheriff's office gave me direction via phone to the trail.


Near the top of Sunset Point I had to contact the sheriff's office for an assist. I could not see the trail due to darkness. A Yavapai Sheriff deputy shined a light to help me see the trail. The deputy then gave me a courtesy ride back to the Badger Spring Wash trailhead.

Getting to the Aqua Fria National Monument: From Phoenix (approx 40 miles), drive north on Interstate 17 to exit 256 (Badger Springs Road). Turn right at the exit and continue down Badger Springs Road for about 1.00 miles to the trailhead parking area.