Clover Creek - West Clear Creek Wilderness
Details
I typically have a reputation for hosting death marches in the middle of nowhere, but today I present to you a relaxing jaunt through a riparian area that is passenger car accessible.
The Drive:
The trailhead is located just off the junction of the AZ-87 and FR-142, about 6.5mi past the junction of the AZ-87 and the AZ-260. It is fully paved up to FR-142 and well leveled and compacted dirt after. There is a large parking area immediately off of the highway that is accessible to even the lowest clearance vehicles. If you have at least a little bit of clearance vehicle, then the trailhead is just 1mi from here at the end of FR-6374A.
Accessible parking area: https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/1562098325
Trailhead: https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/1562100981
Even though the roads are easy, gas isn't getting any cheaper, so stay tuned for carpool discussions.
The Hike:
Since the hike is so short and easy, I don't plan to meet at the trailhead until noon. You can probably get away with showing up a few hours later and still have time to get to camp before dark.
The hike starts following the abandoned section of FR-6374A until it hits the old collapsed bridge, where the trail heads downstream, switching back and forth across the shallow creek in the tall grasses. We will make camp only 1.5mi from here with almost no elevation gain, so bring all the heavy camping luxuries your heart desires.
Campsite: https://www.openstreetmap.org/#map=19/34.519572/-111.361383
There has always been water here for me, but it can get a bit stagnate in dry seasons; the weather has be wet so I am fairly confident we will be fine. The campsite has plenty of campfire fuel as well as pine trees for you hammock sleepers.
It can be fun to hike a bit further downstream towards Tom's Creek, but just be careful of poison ivy as the creek becomes overgrown about 0.5mi after you pass the campsite.
Disclaimer:
Backpacking and hiking have inherit risks, but most can be largely mitigated with good judgement and preparation. By joining this trip, you are expected to bring both. I am by no means a professional hiking guide; I will make a best effort to ensure the safety and enjoyment of the trip, but I assume no liability for participants nor any guarantees on events of the trip.