★★★★☆ Easy/worrying zone
Follow a soft, sandy wash to a surprise waterfall, nestled between gentle hills. The Blue Wash Hiking Trail is an ideal family outing in early spring when snowmelt from the north sends water south or after a heavy monsoon. This easy trail has many little delights in store.
START OF THE TRAIL: North Cave Creek Road, east of Carefree • DIFFICULTY: Generally easy • DISTANCE: 1.3 miles (3.6 miles round trip) • APPROXIMATELY. TIME: 2-3 RT HOURS • Starting altitude: 3,242′ • ELEVATION GAIN: -425 (-30 floors) • APPROXIMATELY. CALORIES BURNED: 450-500 • BEST TIME OF YEAR: September-April • PETS: Yes • SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN: Yes • FACILITIES: None • COSTS: None
The Blue Wash hiking trail is a generally easy reverse hike. He starts to the top of a gently rolling hillthe highest point of the trail. Here, a breathtaking view of untouched nature The Sonoran Desert stretches for miles. Four Peaks, the Superstitions and Weavers Needle line the distant horizon. THE the first quarter mile of the hike winds moderately downhill on a wide dirt road.
During March and April, bright orange Mexican poppies and Fiddleneck flowers often cover hillsides. This is a great place for camera enthusiasts to take photos of spring flowers.
At the foot of the hill, the path turns left and enters a large blue wash bordered by granite.. This gentle, sandy arroyo becomes the path for the next 0.6 miles.
The rusted remains of a car stick out of the sand further into the wash. It’s crazy to imagine the water that deposited it here decades ago. And a good reminder to stay out of the area during the monsoons!
The path alternates between wide sandy strips and areas dotted with randomly deposited rocks. Trickles of water bubble up unexpectedly in places during weather months. Then disappear just as quickly. And mohawk-like grasses grow in the crevices of granite cliffs.
Sometimes a miniature waterfall flows into a crevasse on the left side of the arroyo, about 0.3 miles into the hike.
A mile into the hike, Blue Wash widens as it approaches the T-intersection with Camp Creek. In the spring or after a good rain, Camp Creek often flows vigorously. A flag atop a small hill marks the intersection. Turn left here and follow Camp Creek Wash. The next 0.3 miles offer plenty of crossings of streams and pretty rivers during weather months. Water shoes are recommended, but certainly not required.
Finally, the hike pays off: 10′ high Camp Creek Falls! In spring, or after a good rain, a solid jet crashes onto the area’s water-smoothed granite cliffs. And a small pool at the base is perfect for dipping a toe in and cooling off. Sit back, relax or splash around for a bit, before turning around to head back the way you came.
Totally cheesy Motorized vehicle entry to Blue Wash and Camp Creek was closed after the Cave Creek Complex Fire in 2005. This helped preserve the area’s natural beauty.
Resources Click here to see a map of the area.
Instructions From the intersection of North Tom Darlington Drive and North Cave Creek Road (in Carefree), travel 8.6 miles (two miles past Bartlett Dam Road) to the Blue Wash Trailhead. It is located on the right side of the road.