|
||
|
Woods Canyon Although this canyon dumps out in Village of Oak Creek, the best place to start from is I-17. From the Rocky Park exit, drive as far as you can (the road is really bad), then hike, using a map find your way accoss the rim to where a major side canyon joins Woods from the south (there are no trails in Woods until the last few miles). Descend into Woods Canyon here. Proceed downstream, eventually coming to an icy, unavoidable pool in a short narrows. Swim this and continue a few more miles until you come to a specatular section of red-rocks, about 5 miles in. There is permanent(?)water in the narrow steam channel(not flowing, though) and beautiful slickrock ledges to camp on, surrounded by red-rock cliffs. This is by far the best part of Woods Canyon. Below this the canyon is still nice, but not very interesting for the remaining 10 or so miles to Village of Oak Creek. The best time to do this would be late spring after a good winter - warm weather and nice flowing water, which might be stagnant or even dry other times. The amount of water in the upper narrows may change w/ seasonal precip, so be warned, and prepared! |
||