A Visit to Weatherford Trail after the Pipeline Fire

October 6, 2025

The Weatherford Trail in the San Francisco Peaks has been a popular trail for hikers, mountain bikers (outside the wilderness boundary, of course), equestrians, and trail runners. In the fall, the aspens on the sides of the peaks and especially those in Weatherford Canyon are truly photo worthy.

Start of War Dog Run (walk) on Weatherford Trail.

But in 2022 the Pipeline Fire changed everything. The hillsides were burned leaving only a few lucky surviving trees. The canyon suffered not only the fire but massive flooding in the aftermath. The flooding created 10–20 foot deep gullies on the mountain.

The burned slopes of the San Francisco Peaks quickly come into view on the Weatherford Trail.

New growth crowds the Weatherford Trail.

It may be early October but there are still many wildflowers.

Wildflowers along the Weatherford Trail.

New growth of aspen on the burn scar will result in magnificent displays of fall color in the coming years.

I finally visited a portion of the Weatherford Trail in early October as part of the annual War Dog Run + Walk. The hillsides were covered with the skeleton remains of the trees that burned. But new growth is returning. Once there were stands of ponderosa pine but now there are aspen groves. After just three years these aspen trees stand at five to eight feet tall. And the hillsides are covered in them. Where once a trail traveled through an open forest of ponderosa pine, it now has aspen trees crowding the trail.

A deep gash as the result of flooding on the burn scar.

In the years to come these new aspen forests will bring a mountainside of fall color to the south side of the San Francisco Peaks — just as the massive fires in the late 19th century created the magnificent aspen groves in the Inner Basin region.

Stands of aspen trees in the Inner Basin of the San Francisco Peaks are a result of wildfires in the 19th century.

Fire is a natural part of the forests here. It is painful when the scar is fresh but, in time, it heals itself.

A Quick Visit to Wet Beaver Creek

September 22, 2025

A few weeks ago we decided to visit Wet Beaver Creek to enjoy a warm day beside the running waters. Rather than hike a few miles up the canyon to the deeper pools we opted to visit the creek near the Beaver Creek Day Use area. It was a weekday and there were only a couple of other visitors. We were able to secure a spot with no one else around (at least until we decided it was time to leave and have lunch). Sitting in the warm sun and then wading into the cool water was refreshing. It won’t be long before autumn weather makes it too cool for this kind of relaxation–but for now it is still an enjoyable way to spend an hour or two. Here are some photos from that morning.

Wet Beaver Creek on a warm September day.

Plenty of shady spots to sit while listening to the flowing water of Wet Beaver Creek.

Shallow pools of slow-moving water lie on either side of a fast-moving current in Wet Beaver Creek.

Photos shot with a Sony RX100V.

Hiking West Fork Oak Creek—August 2025

September 6, 2025

In a normal year we would not hike up this canyon in the summer because of the threat of thunderstorms and flooding. But this year has been anything but normal when it comes to rain and the monsoon season. So during one of the many long stretches of dry weather we returned to West Fork Oak Creek canyon and hiked up about 5 miles (or about 2 miles beyond the “end of trail” sign) upstream.

Because of the lack of rain some of the canyon vegetation was stressed. Ferns were already withering. Leaves were turning brown and even falling from the trees. The outlook for a vibrant and colorful fall leaf season isn’t looking good.

But the hike was fine and the water was clear and visitor traffic was low–especially beyond the end of trail.

Blackberries can be found at the very beginning of the trail.

A primrose peaks out from a field of ferns. This was one of the better looking patch of ferns showing mostly green.

Numerous large reflecting pools can be found in West Fork Oak Creek canyon.

This is the "subway tunnel" at the end of the maintained trail. Hikers can continue upstream for many miles but there isn't much of a trail. — This is the “subway tunnel” at the end of the maintained trail. Hikers can continue upstream for many miles but there isn’t much of a trail.

This is the upstream end of the subway tunnel in West Fork Oak Creek canyon.

High walls tower above the stream in West Fork Oak Creek canyon.

Upstream there is another set of narrows. This used to be a narrow stream but sand and gravel has dammed the downstream end and now the water is several inches deep.

Looking downstream at the pool and the sinuous curves of the canyon.

Butterflies and wildflowers in West Fork Oak Creek canyon.

A natural amphitheater and wildflowers in West Fork Oak Creek canyon.

Larkspur wildflowers in West Fork Oak Creek canyon.

Lush greenery found in West Fork Oak Creek canyon.

A young deer hides in the tall greenery in West Fork Oak Creek canyon.

Our next hike up the canyon will probably be in mid winter when ice covers the stream allowing passage through the various narrows.

Hiking West Clear Creek Canyon—June 2025

August 28, 2025

Earlier this summer a few of us ventured on a hike into the upper sections of West Clear Creek canyon in the Coconino National Forest. This was a repeat visit for us having done it twice in the summer of 2014. That was long enough ago that all we remembered were the fun parts—and forgetting the hard and unpleasant parts. The latter included the long descent and ascent from the rim of the canyon to the creek and the long hike to the trailhead from where we parked.

But the good parts are good. Very good.

Here are some pictures from both this year and from the earlier trip.

Trail sign at the start of the descent into West Clear Creek Canyon.

Monkeyflowers were in abundance along the stream.

Springs cascading into the creek (2014).

The same springs this year with reduced flow (2025).

At the base of a steep wall in a side canyon.

Entry point from the main canyon into the side canyon (2014).

This is a giant pour off in the side canyon.

Vertical walls and deep pools are abundant in West Clear Creek Canyon.

Vertical walls in late afternoon in West Clear Creek Canyon.

Tufts of grass along the side of the creek in West Clear Creek canyon.

Swimming is always a part of the fun in a canyon.

The creek and canyon floor looked very different compared to our earlier visit. We assume that flash floods have done a lot of work in moving rocks and gravel around as well as sweeping out some of the vegetation. And the water was not quite as clear in 2025 as it was in 2014.

Also, the road driving in from Forest Highway 3 was in worse shape than a decade ago but we were still able to drive as far as we did then—just a lot slower.

Fall Colors in Oak Creek Canyon

December 12, 2024

Fall (or autumn, if you prefer) is over in northern Arizona. Peak fall colors started high on the peaks back in September and have been working their way down to lower elevations. The peak moved through Oak Creek Canyon in mid November.

The North Wilson Trail climbs out of Oak Creek Canyon and goes through a stand of maple trees. Leaves on trees and on the ground make this a favorite for fall photographs.

A few years ago and saw this little guy sitting at the base of the tree on the North Wilson Trail. He was still there on this year’s hike but was starting to lean over a bit so we set him upright. Never know what you’ll find on a hike.