GET Day 12: Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness

Daily Miles: 15.2, Total Miles: 150.1

Mrs. Haze and I set out into the Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness about 7:30am on a day the high temperature was expected to be in the mid-90’s. We quickly got to the ankle-deep, cool creek and headed upstream.

The canyon walls got higher and higher providing good shade further helped by towering cottonwoods and Arizona sycamores. Although not much of a trail, it wasn’t difficult to navigate and you do get your feet wet! Along the creek, we saw two large groups of coatimundi, javelina, deer, wild turkeys and vultures.

Mrs. Haze turned back at about mile 5 and I continued up Aravaipa Canyon until reaching Turkey Creek. I opted to do the alternate route up Turkey Creek Canyon and wasn’t disappointed – checked out the over 700-year-old Salado cliff dwelling and enjoyed the narrow, deep sheer-cliff canyon.

Set up camp on a sand bar on a still, quiet evening.