Top 6 Things to do in Winkelman, Winkelman

Reviewed By anthonyhH8923KT - Phoenix, United States

Aravaipa is a gem, no question about that. To really enjoy this place, I highly recommend planing ahead and get 2 or 3 days of permits. There are plentiful campsites to accommodate whatever distance you want to travel. Most folks camp near Horse Camp, but there are tucked away patches of sand or grass for tents, and trees for hammocks, throughout the Canyon. If you can, for wildlife it's great to get to the stretch between Booger Canyon and Horse Camp. Over several visits this tends to be the spot where I spot the most wildlife. The main trail is lovely with great vistas and fun trails to find and lose. No matter what you will find yourself fording the creek many times. If the flow is normal you could manage to keep dry with waders, but even that's not guaranteed as you may come across a spot or two that go up to the knee. Most of the time you're looking at 6-12" of water. The important thing for the hike is to either have gators or close toed shoes or boots that are tight around the ankle. If not, you're bound to find gravel running into your shoes. Further, pack a second set of shoes to use after you've made it to your campsite. Socks and boots can dry out the same day you hike in and be ready in the morning, but in the meantime you can explore nearby areas with dry feet. Javelina frequent the camp sites, so make sure your food is safely stowed away. You will also have mosquitos descend around nightfall most of the year. Repellent or bug nets can be a big help in the evening. Also the mosquitoes in the canyon are big and strong. I had them biting me through a shirt and heavy sweatshirt. Have thick layers if you're relying on clothes for protection. On this trip I especially enjoyed hiking the west side canyons that offered a variety of terrain - striking out from my hammock hung right across the creek from Horse Camp Canyon. The main creek hike is great, but the side canyons take this experience to the next level. On a prior trip I walked to the end of Hell Hole Canyon. That's probably the most famous of the side canyons and offers a fun experience walking between two straight up canyon walls. The hike is beginner and consists of mostly level sand and gravel until you finally come to a clear end of the hike. This is the only canyon where I see imminent danger in a flash flood. It's very narrow and you have no escape if there is heavy water flow. All canyons can be dangerous with rain, but this is one to completely leave alone if there is a chance of heavy rain. Horse Camp canyon was beginner grade hike that offered gorgeous washed out granite slabs along with several waterfalls and areas of pools dotting the granite. I sounded one big pool and it was at least 20 feet deep. Further up you come to an advanced climbing juncture that will be an all stop for most hikers. You can bypass the pool and waterfall by hiking up to the first ridge of the canyon and going along the top until you find a descent father up, but this is only for the experienced hiker. Walking the top is to go along a 30-45 degree angle for at least a quarter mile if not further. You get to enjoy what the canyon has to offer without this added work. Virgus Canyon is a delightful rockfall hike! This is an intermediate level hike where you will have to scramble over many a huge boulder and often double back to find a way forward. There are many beautiful spots along the way - wall gaps, boulders strewn atop hills, rock tunnels and beautiful trees and pools. Depending on the time of year, you also have a challenge of leaf drifts that can be deep and treacherous. A spot that looks level may hide a 2 foot drop that can twist an ankle or worse. There are also places where the creek winds and you may find yourself inadvertently wet from these hidden gaps. If you pace yourself and seek out seen stepping stones you'll be fine. I had the most fun in this canyon! Javelina Canyon is an intermediate to advanced level hike. This canyon is even more challenging due to leaves, vines and very unstable rocks. Check footing here! You'll find a gem of a waterfall and cave a short distance up. There are some hard climb points here and you will ascend rapidly. This should be saved only for experienced hikers. Do not take children up because they won't have the required reach. Painted Cave is the most "normal" of the canyon hikes. You have to walk along mid sized boulders of a creek bed. It is still neat to see the crumbling concrete-like canyon walls that are crumbling before your eyes. In some spots it's almost spooky seeing where the wall has dropped several feet and there are fresh strewn rocks all along your path. A good way into the canyon you get to some winding bits that are more picturesque than the patently desert landscape of the first mile or so. All in all, it's pretty hard to be disappointed here. You have beautiful views, wildlife in plenty, archaeological site at the cliff dwelling, a creek that saves you from having to pack water (IF you have a purifier!) and many side canyon options. It's a win for the casual traveler who wants to lounge, and it offers great fun for those that want to do some scrambling. Great for families or friends that want to get out to a quiet place and enjoy nature.