Clear Creek Canyon (2BIII)

Location: 7 miles south of Winslow
Rating: Basic Canyoneering 2B II-V
Length: 2-14 hours
Mileage: Up to 60+ miles
Longest Rappel: None
Start: Clear Creek Reservoir
End: There and Back
Permits: None
Wet Suit: Not needed
Shuttle: No

Overview: There are many "Clear Creek Canyons". This Canyon happens to hit our Canyoneering list and is located within Arizona's Mogollon Rim. Clear Creek is a very long creek that begins some 100 + miles in the Coconino National Forest. The creek acts as the border of the Coconino National Forest and the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. The canyon offers moderate sheer walls and refreshing pools to swim through in many sections. Although the canyon itself isn’t high, a flash flood here would prove deadly with very few escape places. The route begins almost at the tail end of Clear Creek as it enters the Clear Creek Reservoir and goes upstream as long as you desire.

Approach: From Winslow, head south on Hwy 87 to Hwy 99. After 4.43 miles, you will cross Clear Creek Reservoir. Continue south along Hwy 99 for a total of 5.27 miles from Hwy 87, where you’ll discover a dirt road on the right. After the Clear Creek Reservoir crossing, many dirt roads split off from Hwy 99. At 5.27 miles from Hwy 87 you’ll find a dirt road that’s 0.3 miles from where you’ll want to park. View the Google map for a better idea below.

Completing the Canyon: To get down into the gorge, simply follow the drainage to the south of the road. Once you hit the valley of Clear Creek, skirt the cliff’s edge upstream past the second drainage. From there, you should find a scramble route to the canyon floor.

Explore as much of the canyon as possible before hiking back to your vehicle.