Scouting Woods Canyon

apache-Sitgreaves National Forest

2021-09-22 kingsnake Hiking 0

I love Woods Canyon Lake. I wouldn't mind my ashes being spread here some day.
I love Woods Canyon Lake. I wouldn't mind my ashes being spread here some day.

In July, 2020, I attempted a through hike of Willow Springs Canyon and Woods Canyon. Long story short, I bit off more than I could chew and had to bail, leaving some gear behind. I’ve since wondered if there were better routes into, or out of, either canyon. 🤔

That curiousity was the motivation for my Willow Springs Canyon rim exploration two months ago, and for why I returned to Woods Canyon today. A map recon revealed a side wash that might ease access to the bottom of the middle of Woods Canyon.

My plan was to hike from the Spillway Campground, across the Woods Canyon Dam, head northeast cross-country for ¾ of a mile to decommissioned FR 195M, follow the old road bed east for 1¼ miles to FR 195D, drop into the side wash, follow that down a ½ mile to Woods Canyon, then head down Woods Canyon ¾ of a mile to about where I lost my gear. 🧭

Rather than continue describe my day, here instead is a series of photos:

While I was exploring Woods Canyon, my wife was photographing squirrels at Spillway Campground.
While I was exploring Woods Canyon, my wife was photographing squirrels at Spillway Campground.
After crossing Woods Canyon Dam, I started cross-country. Per usual in pine forests, it was no problemo.
After crossing Woods Canyon Dam, I started cross-country. Per usual in pine forests, it was no problemo.
The old FR 195M bed was old, but obvious. And FR 195M had plenty of shade throughout the day.
The old FR 195M bed was old, but obvious. And FR 195M had plenty of shade throughout the day.
I wasn't expecting a freeway, but the side wash was more tangled than I hoped.
I wasn’t expecting a freeway, but the side wash was more tangled than I hoped.
Woods Canyon is slow, rocky, going. There were pools of water, but no flow. This is where I lost my gear 14 months ago. I spent 30 minutes searching for it.
Woods Canyon is slow, rocky, going. There were pools of water, but no flow. This is where I lost my gear 14 months ago. I spent 30 minutes searching for it.
Oh well ...
Oh well …
I did find hiking garbage: The 2P4004 oil filter was used in the Cat 3306 engine, which was used from the early 70s to late 90s in dozers, scrapers, front end loaders, etc. It was pretty heavy, so I waymarked it, then picked it up on my way back.
I did find hiking garbage: The 2P4004 oil filter was used in the Cat 3306 engine, which was used from the early 70s to late 90s in dozers, scrapers, front end loaders, etc. It was pretty heavy, so I waymarked it, then picked it up on my way back.

After giving up on searching for my lost gear, I headed back up Woods Canyon. Rather than re-negotiate the tangled side wash, I decided instead to climb out on its left bluff. It was a steep 150 ft., but took much less time than the wash. Starting at 8:30 a.m., I met my wife back at the Spillway Campground just before 1:00 p.m. Then it was off to the bait shop for my favorite part of hiking Woods Canyon Lake: beer and, especially, Good Humor Ice Cream! 🍦🤗

Rim Top Trailhead Directions: From Phoenix, head north on AZ-87, the Beeline Highway, to the main intersection in Payson. Head east on AZ-260. In 29 miles, just after AZ-260 tops the Rim, turn left onto FR 300, aka Rim Road. In three miles, turn right onto Woods Canyon Rd. In 1.1 miles, turn right towards Spillway Campground, which is in a ¼ mile, and has a $7 day use fee. Or stay on Woods Canyon Rd. until you reach the bait shop, where parking is free. (Then hike over to Spillway Campground.)

GPS File: Woods_Canyon_Side_Route

Distance: 8.39 mi.

AEG: 501 ft.

Time: 3h 29m

Flower Video

Arizona Flowers: High Country from Preston McMurry on Vimeo.