West Clear Creek Trail No. 17 - Backpack, Hike, and Swim near Camp Verde, Arizona
Below Bull Pen, Camp Verde, AZ 86322, USA,Camp Verde,Arizona
34.540231, -111.7078
8.5 miles E of Camp Verde, Arizona
Address: Below Bull Pen, Camp Verde, AZ 86322, USA
GPS: 34°32'24.8"N 111°42'28.1"W
Maps | Directions
State: Arizona
Trails/Routes: 16.9 mi

Rivers Fishing Bicycles Motorized Use

Backpack, Hike, and Swim

West Clear Creek Trail No. 17 is a great way to reach the running waters of West Clear Creek. By far the most accessible and popular, it starts from the Bull Pen Ranch parking lot and winds down the creek several miles, and then climbs along the canyon wall until reaching the top of the Mogollan Rim, which is the southern edge of the Colorado Plateau. The portion of the hike that scales the canyon is rated as strenuous, but the remainder is not. There are plenty of spots to fish, swim, and even dispersed camp along the banks of the river, and there are several places to cross as one hikes down, so be prepared for wet feet by bringing wading shoes.

The trail can be impassable in times of high runoff; however, the cool water and shade combine into a great relief during the hot summer months.

2.0K Written by camilledupar

Be courteous, informed, and prepared. Read trailhead guidelines, stay on the trail, and don't feed the wildlife.

Read More
  1. Plan Ahead and Prepare
  2. Travel & camp on durable surfaces
  3. Dispose of waste properly
  4. Leave what you find
  5. Minimize campfire impacts
  6. Respect wildlife
  7. Be considerate of other visitors

Directions

From Camp Verde, Arizona

  1. Head south on S Main St toward S 1st St (0.5 mi)
  2. Turn left onto AZ-260 E (5.4 mi)
  3. Turn left onto Forest Service Rd 618 (2.2 mi)
  4. Continue straight onto Bull Pen Rd
    Destination will be on the right
    (2.9 mi)
to add photos & videos and suggest edits

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West Clear Creek Wilderness (October 16, 2017) courtesy of Deborah Lee Soltesz; U.S. Forest Service Coconino National Forest. West Clear Creek Wilderness (October 16, 2017) courtesy of Deborah Lee Soltesz; U.S. Forest Service Coconino National Forest.↗
West Clear Creek Trail - April 16, 2016 by Exsul
2.0K

Added by camilledupar

Trails

Distance ?

16.9 miles Round Trip

Elevation Gain ?

2,062 feet

Real Ascent ?

2,857 feet

Real Descent ?

795 feet

Avg Grade (3°)

5%

Grade (-32° to 29°)

-63% to 56%

Elevation differences are scaled for emphasis. While the numbers are accurate, the cut-away shown here is not to scale.

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