Tag: water

Fall Colors in Oak Creek Canyon

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.
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.

Not really about fall colors but we spotted this little gnome statuette off to the side of the trail. Never know what you will find on a hike!
Not really about fall colors but we spotted this little gnome statuette off to the side of the trail. Never know what you will find on a hike!
Water cascades over boulders before entering a large and deep pool at Grasshopper Point in Oak Creek Canyon.
Water cascades over boulders before entering a large and deep pool at Grasshopper Point in Oak Creek Canyon.
A shady stretch of Oak Creek with fall colors.
A shady stretch of Oak Creek with fall colors.
Trees and grasses with reflections at Grasshopper Point in Oak Creek Canyon.
Trees and grasses with reflections at Grasshopper Point in Oak Creek Canyon.sshopper Point in Oak Creek Canyon.
A small cascade at the lower end of Grasshopper Point in Oak Creek Canyon.
A small cascade at the lower end of Grasshopper Point in Oak Creek Canyon.
Brightly colored trees at Indian Gardens in Oak Creek Canyon.
Brightly colored trees at Indian Gardens in Oak Creek Canyon.
Late afternoon colors are reflected in the waters of Oak Creek.
Late afternoon colors are reflected in the waters of Oak Creek.
Late afternoon colors are reflected in the waters of Oak Creek.
Late afternoon colors are reflected in the waters of Oak Creek.

Edit 12/15/2024: Fixed some typos.

Trail Run in Kelly Canyon

A few days ago we did a trail run down Kelly Pocket to the confluence with Pumphouse Wash. This is about 6 miles round trip. We started from the upper end and ran downhill to the confluence then turned around and ran back up to our starting point. It was interesting that my running times were about 1 minute per mile faster on the uphill.

Water flows through erorded channels in the sandstone in Kelly Canyon.
Water flows through erorded channels in the sandstone in Kelly Canyon.
Trees and sky are reflected in the narrow and shallow pool.
Trees and sky are reflected in the narrow and shallow pool.
A shallow pool in Kelly Canyon.
A shallow pool in Kelly Canyon.
Several larger pools can be found at the confluence of Kelly Canyon and Pumphouse Wash
Several larger pools can be found at the confluence of Kelly Canyon and Pumphouse Wash

We stopped to take some photos (maybe that was why the downhill was slower) of the canyon. It was nice to see that there remained some water in several pools and these were very pretty in the morning light.

The trail in Kelly Canyon.
The trail in Kelly Canyon.
This used to be a fun ramp for mountain bikes up and over the downed tree. But time has taken its toll and both the ramp and tree .
This used to be a fun ramp for mountain bikes up and over the downed tree. But time has taken its toll and both the ramp and tree .

In just a few more weeks the leaves will be changing color and this small canyon will be worth another visit.