Keywords: arizona coconino national forest coconinonationalforest forest service forestservice fossil creek fossilcreek fossil springs fossilsprings fossil springs wilderness fossilspringswilderness national forest nationalforest red rock ranger district redrockrangerdistrict tonto national forest tontonationalforest backpacking canyon desert forest hiking outdoors spring springs side trail springssidetrail springs trail springstrail springtime trail wilderness strawberry united states unitedstates The first of several spring sources along Fossil Creek. Many hikers stop here to refill their water bottles at this high-producing spring source where the water is likely to be the cleanest along the creek. The top of the springs is accessed by a marked side trail off of Fossil Springs Trail. Fossil Springs begin approximately three quarters of a mile above the old Fossil Creek Dam. A series of springs gush 20,000 gallons a minute year-round at the bottom of a 1,600 foot deep canyon, creating a lush riparian oasis rich with life, and feeding Fossil Creek Wild and Scenic River. Over the years these calcium laden waters have laid down huge deposits of a type of limestone called travertine, creating deep pools for miles along the creek. The Wilderness and surrounding area are on the Tonto and Coconino National Forests, and are managed by the Coconino National Forest. During the spring-summer season, camping is prohibited in Fossil Springs Wilderness and the surrounding area, and a reserved parking permit is required to park at the trailheads that access the Wilderness. See Fossil Springs Wilderness and Fossil Creek on the USFS Coconino National Forest website for maps, regulations, permit reservations, and other details. Photo by Deborah Lee Soltesz. Source: USFS Coconino National Forest. The first of several spring sources along Fossil Creek. Many hikers stop here to refill their water bottles at this high-producing spring source where the water is likely to be the cleanest along the creek. The top of the springs is accessed by a marked side trail off of Fossil Springs Trail. Fossil Springs begin approximately three quarters of a mile above the old Fossil Creek Dam. A series of springs gush 20,000 gallons a minute year-round at the bottom of a 1,600 foot deep canyon, creating a lush riparian oasis rich with life, and feeding Fossil Creek Wild and Scenic River. Over the years these calcium laden waters have laid down huge deposits of a type of limestone called travertine, creating deep pools for miles along the creek. The Wilderness and surrounding area are on the Tonto and Coconino National Forests, and are managed by the Coconino National Forest. During the spring-summer season, camping is prohibited in Fossil Springs Wilderness and the surrounding area, and a reserved parking permit is required to park at the trailheads that access the Wilderness. See Fossil Springs Wilderness and Fossil Creek on the USFS Coconino National Forest website for maps, regulations, permit reservations, and other details. Photo by Deborah Lee Soltesz. Source: USFS Coconino National Forest. |