Black Canyon, Nevada/Arizona (Pt 2 of 3)

[Part 1] [Part 2] [Part 3]

Shortly after setting off from Boyscout Canyon in our trusty aluminum Jerkwater Canoe, we arrived at some of the more popular areas in Black Canyon: Whiterock Canyon and Arizona Hotsprings. Though there were two distinct canoe landings for each area, there seemed to be a contour trail on a bluff nearby that connected the two.

Whiterock Canyon was a short, but excruciatingly hot hike for us. At around 230pm, the temperature must have exceeded 95°F while walking into the slot-like canyon.

Fortunately, we decided to end the hike after the canyon opened up to this view, maybe 30 minutes in. I’m sure the trail goes further, but I can’t imagine any better views past this point… at least that would not make us pass out in the process. Paddling another 5 minutes downriver, we docked at the Arizona Hot Springs campsite.

After tying up our canoe, we headed back into the small canyon, where the trail split.

One fork lead to a bluff that looked out over the river (the contour trail can be seen that leads to the Whiterock Canyon landing area),

…while the other fork follows the stream back into the narrowing canyon.

Soon encountering the infamous stainless steel ladder and waterfall, we quickly climbed up to see the hot water springs we had heard so much about.

The first pool was the largest, and also the coolest… temperature wise. I’m guessing it was about 90°F or so. All of them are deepened by stacked sandbags, similar to ones we saw at Goldstrike and Boyscout Canyon… although these ones were much cleaner (clearer).

The next one was much deeper, a lot more narrow, and much warmer… maybe 130°F.

The last one was the smallest of the three main pools and was ridiculously hot!!! So much so, that I couldn’t even sit in it. That thing must have been 150°F or higher. Tea candles were also common in little pockets in the canyon walls… which I assume can definitely set the mood if you bring your girl here (or vice versa), haha.

Despite the sensitivity to heat, I thought the colors and landscape around this cauldron were the best.

There were no sandbags stacked above the boiling pot, but there didn’t seem to be as much water seeping out from the ground / canyon walls further up anyway.

In fact, just a hundred feet away the stream bed was dry as a desert.

Though we didn’t get a chance to soak in any of the pools during the day, we had planned to come back at night when it was cooler.

…and after having some dinner (Pesto salmon / pasta with a cold Boddingtons) next to the river and setting up camp.

We were fortunate to have ton of firewood stacked near our camp from others who had stayed here prior.

I didn’t take my camera back to the hot springs that night, but I should have since the moon and stars overhead were lighting up the canyon. I could describe it for you here, but it’s probably better to just use your imagination… It looked kind of like these photos I took from the bluff, only while having a hot spring to yourself. Yeah, we each had one, and no one else was even around. Ridiculous.

I can only imagine what it would be like if he weather was cooler, ideally in the spring / fall… but likely with larger crowds of people. Our contact from the canoe rental company mentioned that during peak seasons, there can be as many as a hundred people in the same camping area we had to ourselves. I guess we lucked out, because they said it was extremely rare to have the place so empty. Definitely would have been a totally different, and less pleasurable, experience with a bunch of people partying, drunk next to the river. Great times…

Much thanks to Jerkwater Canoe Company for the drop-off at Hoover Dam and pick-up at Willow Beach on this trip, and such great customer service too! Mahalo nui loa to Scott Bowling for suggesting this adventure, surely one of the best over-night camping adventures on the mainland I’ve had thus far!

Aloha and mahalo nui for visiting… Come back again soon!