Trailblazers at the start of Devils Canyon. [photo by Lisa]

Cindy, Kevin, Tom, Li, Ralph, Peggy, Robert, Debbie, Mona, Scot, Bruce, Lisa.

I listed this hike on the Trailblazers' website only six days before the date, thinking that the weather would be too hot. Given the short notice, I expected to have only a few people sign up. To my surprise, 22 people contacted me. The lack of more 4x4 HC vehicles limited us to 13. The access road has become so rough that only a true off-road capable vehicle can make it to the trailhead. Urban SUVs would not have the clearance required. The area around Oak Flat Campground and Devils Canyon will eventually become the site of the Resolution Copper mine, which will close and permanently alter the area.

Start of Hackberry Canyon leading into Devils Canyon.

Walking around pools in Hackberry Canyon. More water than we expected. Water was remarkably clear.

Kevin, Tom, Li, Mona, Robert.

After parking at the trailhead, our first obstacle was a 40 foot waterfall, which still had a trickle running over it. Most of us went down a series of ledges on the cliff, a few went down a rocky, loose chute on the north side of the falls.

Lisa, Robert.

Making our way down the cliff.

Debbie, Lisa, Tom (in the rocky chute).

We continued down to the junction of Hackberry and Devils Canyon. I last hiked these canyons in January of 2020. The Telegraph fire burned through Devils Canyon in 2021 and a subsequent flood brought down many trees. The canyon bottom is much more open, but the old trail on the east side of the canyon is mostly obliterated beneath piles of debris. This used to be the easiest hiking, now it is slower. Our total distance hiked was only 3.5 miles, which took us five hours.

Our end point was Peninsula Falls, where we stopped for snacks.

Overall, this hike was more difficult than I anticipated. It is definitely an A+ hike, entirely off-trail, requiring experience with climbing and scrambling. I do hope to lead it again in the fall.

Thanks to everyone for contributing their photos to the group album, with special thanks to Li for collecting and put the album together.