Aravaipa Canyon and Horse Camp Canyon
April 28-30, 2009
Although it's difficult to believe, according to this web site(!), I have hiked Aravaipa Canyon at least seven times:
- from the west end in January, 2003, November, 2003, June, 2005, May, 2006 and May, 2007, and
- from the east end in May, 2008 and March, 2009.
After a spectacular return to the east end and Deer Creek Canyon in March, we decided to give the west end another try. We were anxious to see how much the streambed had recovered from a major flood in 2006 that turned the former tree-lined creek into a stony field and erased all our old swimming holes.
A three-day mid-week trek allowed plenty of time for exploration — including the discovery of spectacular Horse Camp Canyon — and the opportunity to develop a close personal relationship with a blue heron.