We like to think we are pretty good travel planners. Now that Slaed’s mom lives in the Phoenix area, we’ve carefully selected the month of March to be our time to visit for a few days. It’s about that time where we just can’t stand the doom and gloom of Seattle, and it’s nice and warm and sunny in Phoenix in a perfect way, not a 113 degree way. It worked out so well last year. This year’s visit was another story.
For 2 out of our 4 (full) days, we were busting out the raincoats and pants instead of slathering on sunscreen and traipsing around in flip flops. You’ll be happy to know though that we didn’t retreat and spend all of our time indoors. We just altered our plans a bit, and it turns out we were able to experience something that rarely comes around in the hot, dry desert of Arizona: A waterfall. We also got to experience another Phoenix area rarity: Cool hiking temperatures.
The White Tank Mountains are located about 30 miles Northwest of Phoenix. The park is part of Maricopa County Parks and Recreation and has about 25 miles of multi-use trails. Since it was our first visit, it was getting late, and we only had a limited amount of time, we chose the short Waterfall Trail (.9 miles out to the waterfall), and instead of going straight back, we hiked part of the Black Rock long loop.
The beginning of the trail is paved, and then the path eventually turns to gravel. Bergen (18 months) hiked for a while, and when we wanted to speed up (and stop worrying about his fingers getting pricked by cactus thorns) we threw him on my back in the ergo.
We viewed petroglyphs all along the trail, and I found them fascinating. It’s believed that they are at least 700 years old and the work of the Hohokam Indians who abandoned the area around 1100 A.D. There are placards throughout attempting to explain some of the designs though no one truly knows the meaning of the various images.
After few easy steps up, we entered a box canyon that is completely dry almost 100 percent of the time. Because of all the previous day’s rain, there was a small pool of water along with a tiny trickle of a waterfall seen once we bouldered over a few rocks.
Unfortunately, I felt the footwork was a little too tricky to take Bergen along on my back, so he stayed back with Grandma while Slaed and I enjoyed the experience. The view was unexpected, and I was really surprised at the true whiteness of the canyon. The rock almost looks fabricated, but is actually white granite.
As we walked away from the canyon with the view of the valley looking towards Phoenix in the distance, we were no longer disappointed with the less than perfect weather conditions. How could we be disappointed, really. The weather played a huge factor in our unique experience, and that was just the first half of our hike! Stay turned for part two where we learned all about the native cacti of Arizona!
Info to Know:
- The White Tank Mountain Regional Park is located about 30 miles Northwest of Phoenix in Waddell, AZ.
- 20304 W. White Tank Mountain Road
Waddell, AZ 85355 - Park Hours: Sun-Thu: 6 am – 8 pm, Fri-Sat: 6 am – 10 pm
- Park Entry Fee: $6/vehicle for day use
- 20304 W. White Tank Mountain Road
- Strollers: While it wouldn’t be my first choice for transporting little ones, it is possible and doable on the Waterfall Trail. We saw a family navigating with a regular stroller just fine.
- We really didn’t need water or snacks for such a short hike given the weather conditions, but on a regular hot, sunny Arizona day, you’ll want plenty of water to keep you hydrated.
Where have you hiked in Arizona? Tell us about your experience!
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Love how muted the colors look and you don’t have to travel too far from Phoenix to do this hike. Great shots.
Thank you! Yes, it’s amazing how much beauty and nature is surrounding Phoenix, and it’s nice to have the contrast of landscape to our usual Western Washington. We have so many ideas for our next visit to “Gramma’s”.
The cooler temperatures would be perfect for hiking. It is always nice when it rains where it is usually parched for it. I don’t think I have ever seen white granite. Glad your stay wasn’t a washout and thank goodness for Grandma. I love the road photo with cactus. It sets the scene well.
Yes, we felt very lucky actually (despite being bummed about the rain) that we could hike in such comfortable conditions. “…thank goodness for Grandma”—You said it! A whole different experience with an extra set of hands with us! I wish we lived closer. Thanks for stopping by the blog & for your comment!
Must have been a surprise to find a waterfall in such dry land! Pretty photos.
– Maria Alexandra
What a find! Must have been fabulous to find such a refreshing waterfall in dry lands.
– Maria Alexandra
Thank you! I really didn’t know what to expect, but we were more than excited & in awe of the waterfall & box canyon.
Pretty cool to see a waterfall near Phoenix of all places! We visited Phoenix in August(yeah I know, awful timing) but it was kind of a stop on the road elsewhere so we couldn’t do too much hiking. This trail looks great though!
Yes, you really wouldn’t expect that, and we certainly didn’t expect to have rain during our visit. August…ugg! I don’t know how my mother-in-law does it! I guess that’s when she comes to visit us in Seattle when the weather is perfect!
I visit my father once a year in Scottsdale and will have to keep this hike in mind.
Don’t miss a drive on the Apache Trail on one of your visits – not a hike but what incredible scenery not far from Phoenix.
Yes, it’s a great hike, and a beautiful park! I hope to explore it much more when we visit again. Nice to have a place & someone to visit in Scottsdale–we didn’t stop there this time, though we caught a Spring Training game there during our visit last year.
I will definitely look into the Apache Trail–thanks so much for your suggestion. Have you hiked camelback?
I always love seeing photos of petroglyphs. It must have been even better in person. And thanks for clarifying that you weren’t bouldering with the kiddo on back. I was originally thinking, “Wow, they’re brave.”
The petroglyphs were fascinating to me…so amazing to think they are hundreds and hundreds of years old & still visible. Yes, I definitely wanted you readers to know that we like to get out and be adventurous when our boy, but we’re not too crazy! Again, thank goodness for Grandma 🙂 Thanks for stopping by & for your comment!
I guess the upside of not having great weather is being able to actually see the waterfall! I’m quite surprised to actually see white granite in Arizona – the parts of the state that I have seen are all so red! Would love to see the petroglyphs – fascinating!!
Very nice article, and beautiful photos. FYI, for readers who are considering visiting the White Tanks after reading this nice write-up: The White Tank Mountains are actually NORTHWEST — not east — of Phoenix. Happy trails!
Sheesh! Thank you so much for that correction, Chris! Not sure what I was thinking there. I’ve updated the article.
its sad that the falls don’t flow like they used to when i was a kid and we visited them a few times a year, we used to have to FIGHT the water on our climb up the 10-15 feet to the first little flat-ish spot and slide down it for fun, i was around 8 when we first visited them and went until i was about 14 when i moved to Maine, now there is more waterfalls than i could ever visit in a lifetime up here. regardless this was one of my best memories as a child going on hikes and whatnot, it always seemed like 100 miles in and 2 miles back out when i was young… short feet or the burning urge to get in the water always made the trip in seem like i was never going to get there. hahaha. but it was ALWAYS worth it. If anyone ever comes to maine and wants to be shown some AMAZING waterfalls / places to swim… Let me know! dan ackerley @ yahoo
Thank you so much for sharing! I love hearing about memories like this. We visited a little more recently this past spring, and there was a TON of water. Unfortunately, it was so crowded that we had to hightail it out of there! We hope to visit Maine someday soon–neither my husband or I have been, so it’s way up on our list. Thanks again! -Kate