Backpacking Fossil Creek - Bob Bear / Fossil Springs Trail - The Dam, the Toilet Bowl & the Cave
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- čas přidán 14. 03. 2021
- Backpacking Fossil Creek - Bob Bear / Fossil Springs Trail - The Dam, the Toilet Bowl & the Cave
The best swimming hole in Arizona
Fossil Creek. It's amazing. A spring fed stream in the middle of the desert. Fossil Creek has a waterfall, another waterfall, a unique and terrifying swirling cauldron called the Toilet Bowl and plenty of places to swim.
And it is probably the most confusing hike in Arizona. I saw so many questions about it that I created a short video just to clarify some of the questions I saw over and over online. "How is the road to the waterfall?" "How is the hike to the waterfall?" "It says the road is closed." "Do I need permits?" The answers aren't easy either. And if you haven't been there, it's easy to get confused, and possibly to get yourself into trouble.
Fossil Creek has a permit system in place during the prime hiking time specifically because SAR has to do so many rescues. The hike to the waterfall? It's an easy 1 mile hike. But the road strands many would be hikers. The hike to the dam that is also a waterfall? It's an easy 4.5 mile downhill hike....that then requires you to hike back a brutal 4.5 mile, 1,400 ft elevation gain hike out, all with full sun exposure. People confuse the two. And with good reason.
And then there's the Toilet Bowl. The Toilet Bowl is a unique geological feature that almost begs you to dive in and swim through an underwater outlet. But the swirling waters create a a disorienting and sometimes deadly current, making it easy to get trapped, not knowing what way is up. And the current below the dam is very strong.
But if you can wrap your head around the logistics, Fossil Creek is a paradise.
If you want to visit the waterfall, you come in from Camp Verde and drive down a 14 mile gravel/dirt road. It's kind of rough, but not too bad that I feel a 4WD is needed. However, I've heard plenty of people talk about getting flat tires, so keep that in mind. Once you're there, it's an easy 1 mile hike to the falls.
In this video, I visited the Fossil Spring Trail (now called the Bob Bear Trail) from Camp Verde. The road to the trailhead is short and any vehicle can get there. But the trail is much harder from this side; it's the 4.5 mile (each way) in and out hike with about 1,400 ft of elevation loss (and then gain) that I described earlier. You first come to the spring, which is source of this perennial creek. It's amazing to watch water forcefully bubbling out of the ground, and then see how it creates this rushing stream just yards away.
A short hike and you come to the dam. Or at least it used to be a dam. There was an old hydroelectric plant here, but it's long since been abandoned and the dam demolished. But there is still an amazing waterfall, complete with the toilet bowl and a great swimming hole. Just downstream is a really cool cave you can swim into as well. Just an amazing place all around.
There is a trail that connects the two locations (The Flume Trail), but I have not hiked that yet. There used to be a road that connected both sides as well, but it's been closed for years. And that "road closed" sign (and online notification) creates constant questions from people who want to visit. Yes, you can get to the trailhead as long as you pick the right one. You just can't drive from one to the other.
There's also a permit system to consider. So, in short, there are multiple waterfalls, but one isn't really a waterfall, permits are required unless they aren't and the roads aren't closed except the ones that are. Simple. You'll be fine.
Anyway, I make videos, I'm not a blogger, so enough with the description. Hope you enjoy the video.
#hiking #Arizona #fossilcreek #backpacking
Music by Endemic Sound.
On a Whim - Tigerblood Jewel
Meadow Thoughts - Cody Francis
Out of the Cold - Nashional
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Another great video! Love the "underwater music" effect 😉
You do a great job explaining and adding the text when needed. So one's just a waterfall and then there's a dam waterfall! Either one looked pretty cool! Thanks for the video!
This area and the confusion around it is one of the main reasons I started this channel. I know all the info is on the website, but it's still difficult to understand if you haven't been there.
Yes, Thank you! New sub here! Born raised AZ cant wait to see fossil this summer hope all this rain helped grow back such a beautiful place ❤
love your vids!! so much *USABLE* info... stuff that would be hard to find out otherwise. thank you!!💚
Funny. I used an online blog to find places years ago. When I started the channel, I wanted to make a video version of the written blog. Glad you find it useful.
Thanks for the hiking idea. Just went there this weekend. Didn’t have the courage to dive in the bowl. Maybe next time, with goggles. Water was warm, shivering for a while afterwards.
Awesome as always 🔥
Awesome stuff
Just did a loop at fossil springs March 28th we came in via Bob Bear saw the dam and spring. Then hiked the whole trail to the camp verde side and did the 1 mile trail to the waterfall. We took the "closed" road back. Plotting it on Gaia gps app saids it's about 16 miles for the whole loop, we were hiking from 7 am to about 5. Great video, thanks for the inspiration and info on the trail Jerry.
Nice! I definitely want to check out the flume trail sometime. Wish they'd reopen the road, but I'm pretty sure they never will.
I’ve always wondered about how close the two are and if hikeable etc. thank you!
Great video explaining the nuisance of exploring the fossil creek area. Thank you!
My first and only visit to fossil creek was in the summer of 2013. I was lucky enough to have some outdoor-inclined friends from AZ to guide me in. What a spectacular place, i wish to return soon and camp.
Unfortunately, it was severely damaged a few months after this video in a fire. I was just up there this past weekend and it's still not opened back up yet.....
Awesome video! I was planning to do this hike soon so I appreciate the tips and advice!
Awesome' Diggin the underwater footage.
For the whole of the video, I was thinking how cold that water had to be! Glad you cleared that up. As always, I enjoy your very informative videos. Thanks!
I love this one during the season. Even with the people. I try to max out the permits.
Good job explaining the quirks. It is definitely confusing. Every time I go there are people in trouble. It is extremely tough in the summer but so rewarding.
Dude...you're adding hikes I'd like to do before I can get down there and do 1! Awesome....keep em coming....
I love this place! The water is gorgeous and the rangers are always nice... but snakes are scary af 😅😂
Your videos are my goto now since we bought property in Payson for learning the area.
wow just wow!
Great video. Great it's 3 am for me right now and I'm having fun. And laughing at your commentary Thank you!!
Glad you're enjoying it. But get some sleep!
Saw you on this trail, was looking forward to the video about it. didn't get in the water myself so very cool to see!
Yeah man! The water was actually great. I was kicking myself for not swimming before. Stays a constant 70ish degrees that close to the spring. Getting out of the water on the other hand.....
Wow, jerry, the water was super cold .. nice video.. almost time to go again..
This place looks beautiful
It is. Unfortunately, a fire ripped through it last year (shortly after this trip) and it's been closed since. I also need to get down to the hot springs there someday.....
Informative Thanks jerry. I drove to that trail head coming from strawberry, and wondered about the trail . that was in summer, But i"d like to go in the
off season to camp a couple nights and stay away from the younger crowd that goes in the summer. You do alot of research and it helps folks like me
that dont do research . much appreciated .
It's a fun place. It was even somewhat crowded in March; three other groups of backpackers when I was there. You can just go further upstream (right after crossing the stream very near the sign to the spring/dam)...turn right after you cross the stream instead of left. I found plenty of empty sites that direction. Further away from the action, but you can get some solitude that way.
Ugh! Wish I had seen this before, thought you could drive to the shorter hike. Not the case! Sad I missed out on the springs but will return soon better equipped for the longer hike! Thank you for the info! ❤️
You can drive there. You just have to go in from Camp Verde. Take the 260 east and look for FR 708 (per my Gaia - not sure if that FR# is right). It's a long, 14 mile dirt/gravel road, but it takes you to the Waterfall trailhead. This one is from Strawberry, and although it's harder, I like it better. You just can't drive straight through.
This was my first hike. Getting out was brutal for me 😂
I camped down there one night a couple of years ago in March with my kid's scout troop. It's a very cool place, but it's definitely work getting in and outta there! We were just up on the lower end a couple of weeks ago and hiked up to the falls just in time to catch some kayakers jumping them!
Some of those people are insane. Looks like fun though.
I like how you got the music to sound muffled when you go underwater.
Fossil Creek is definitely on my lists of places to hike.
Go for it! Great hike. Now that they've reopened from the fire a while back, I need to go again.
Can’t believe they haven’t fixed that road. A small section washed out years ago, was a pretty drive from Camp Verde to Strawberry.
damm waterfall... :)
I'll be there again soon.....SWIMMING! Lol. Timmy C
The water was awesome. I'm so bummed I haven't swam before.
@@JerryArizona Irving flume is my hangout. Awesome cliff jump into deep water....the best!
Great video man. Love your channel. Are there many campsites down around the spring and dam? I know there is no camping after April 1 but I will be planning a November trip there. Thanks
Glad you like it. If you look on their website, they say camping is allowed upstream from the spring (and therefore dam). I think it's 1/10 of a mile? I saw maybe 3~4 spots close to the spring/dam and close by the trail. (Some looked closer than the website says to camp, but I did not bring a tape measure.) When you finally reach the streambed, there's a stone bench on the other side. Just after you cross the streambed upstream of the spring, there is a trail to the left (to the spring & dam) and another to the right going upstream. It was pretty full when I was there this trip, so I went right and quickly found another spot with no one around. Not sure how far that trail goes (maybe look up "Mail Trail" for that area), but the short version of the story is I didn't have any problems finding a spot.
Very informative video! I was wondering if this hike is still worth it if we do not plan on going swimming? I have someone in the party that does not know how to swim. Also, is a high clearance vehicle needed to get to the trailhead? I see majority trucks and HCV in the parking lot but I am renting a sedan. Thanks in advance!
Just responded to your comment on my other video. Short answer is yes, it's worth it. (Maybe everyone else swim? But I've gone and not swam and it was still worth it.) For the road, any vehicle can get to the trailhead from Strawberry as long as it isn't pouring rain.
Hi Jerry.
I’m coming from the strawberry side highway 260 getting on to fossil creek road. Would there be two entrances after the road says it’s closed? Just want to make sure as I have some kids with me and need to be on the waterfall trail lol
I don't remember that much detail from the drive. Just that I saw a road closed sign but the road wasn't closed, then I just saw the parking from the road. The turn off from the road to the parking lot/trailhead is at 34.40483,-111.56643 if that helps. It's not tough to find. Be careful if you hike that trail in the summer though. It's a rough hike in and especially out.
I want to be there
How do you get to the water fall from lot #1 and #2? Do you drive through Payson & Strawberry? Or do you take the 17th north of Phoenix & enter through camp verde?
For Bob Bear, I go in through Strawberry. Really short and easy road. But a long and strenuous hike. That leads to the spring and the dam. But the dam was removed (mostly) and it's now a waterfall. The 'toilet bowl' and cave are there as well. I don't think there are any assigned campsites down there. Several miles downstream is the waterfall. You access the waterfall from a long dirt road coming off the 260 outside Camp Verde. Pretty sure they have assigned campsites down there and that the waterfall is a fairly easy hike upstream. Maybe a mile from the bridge (or so).
So there is no way to reach the waterfall and cave from the easy hike? I did the 10 mile round trip and it was hell and trying to find a short cut. I was told there was an easier way. Great video and new sub 😊
No, the cave, toilet bowl dam/waterfall and spring are from Bob Bear Trail outside of Strawberry. That's the shortest hike and it's still brutal, especially on the way out. You can drive to the other side from Camp Verde and see the waterfall (different one than I hiked to in this video) and it's a short and easy hike though. The road from that end is long and rough though. (The road from Strawberry is short and in better condition).
I really appreciate your informative video! We will be backpacking there soon. It looks like you set your tent up before the split between the springs and the dam. Are there campsites closer to the dam/ toilet bowl? Are they easily spotted or tough to find?
If you look at the (confusing) map of the area, it says you're supposed to camp upstream from the spring. There are some campsites (or there were anyway) between the two, but I'm pretty sure you aren't supposed to camp there. When I got down there, I just headed up canyon from the trail where it goes down toward the spring and found the spot in this video. You really shouldn't have much trouble finding a spot that you can make work.
@@JerryArizona Thank you! I appreciate your time. I feel better backpacking this area, because of the info that you provided.
GREAT VIDEO! Where is Tina? 👍
Tina works every other weekend right now and I've been able to get out by myself a lot. She'll be in next week's video though.
How deep is water in the cave? Is it safe for a non swimmer to go?
You definitely need to swim to get into the cave. People were cliff diving right by the cave opening when I was there.
You can still go if you don't swim, but I wouldn't get in the water if I didn't know how.
Does the dam have water open year round or does it dry up
Year 'round. It's also spring fed so it stays the same temp. The spring isn't far upstream from the dam.
@JerryArizona how long was ur backpacking trip just over night?
@@kaydonvail6696 Just overnight. Keep in mind that permits are required for the spring/summer/fall. You can go without permits in the winter. I forget the exact dates but think I put them in the video.
Loved the gorgeous water footage! But um.... weren't you freezing?!
Only when I got out. The water is so close to the spring, it's always around 70~74 degrees.
i lived in the area and still confused i think at one time the was some nudist involved?
That's the hot springs. Haven't been there yet because....well, nudists. And supposedly someone was shooting at hikers out there last year. Not sure if that's true or not. Guess it was an old resort that is now gone and people just hang out in the manmade but naturally fed hot tubs. I'll get there eventually.
@@JerryArizona If you end up going to the springs don't trust Google maps by taking dugas Rd off the i17. Exit general crook instead. I spent 7 hours crawling my f150 down the side of sheer cliffs.
I would like to know how this water source in a usually dry area helped native tribes and the "invading" white men say during 1840 to 1880.
With all the minerals, I don't drink the water when I go. Not sure if it's safe or unsafe, but I don't want to take chances. There aren't any ruins in that area I'm aware of. But there are other perennial streams in the area (Wet Beaver, West Fork, etc.) and defnitely a lot of ruins. I think most were abandoned before that time period though.