The Crack Swimming Hole

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Description

The Crack on Wet Beaver Creek is an oasis in the desert. There are many spots to stop at along the way early in the hike and each requires a short hike off the main trail. If you choose to hike along the creek on the way in, it will definitely lengthen your time but is well worth the trip. The creek itself is shaded by a canopy of trees which many people enjoy instead of hiking all the way back to The Crack.

There are some informational signs at the parking area that explain the wildlife you might encounter along with the usual safety points. There is a short checklist on one of the info boards but the most importantly is the reminder to bring in at least a gallon of water per person per day. I wouldn't suggest this hike for small children.

You have to pass through a gate at the start of the hike and make sure the gate latches as you pass through. The trail is nice and wide most of the way in until you reach the short ascent just before the hole. Most of the elevation change happens after the swimming hole itself. You begin the trek at the historic Bell Trail which was and is still used to move cattle to the top of the Mogollon Rim (see image below). A mile and a half you will reach the White Mesa Trail on the left. At the 1.75 mile mark you hit the Apache Maid Trail. You hit a fork in the road approximately 2.3 miles in. The Bell Trail leads to the left and the Weir Trail off to the right. Stay left at this point unless you want to do some exploring here.You start ascending at this point and there are a few more ups than downs, but the trail gets more interesting from this point on. Once you reach the Crack, grab a spot and get ready to cool off. The water is cool to cold. and will take your breath away for a second or two. There are two side of the crack and several places to jump from ranging from 8 feet or so to as high as 30 feet. There is access to the pools at the water level on both sides.

To make the hike in easier, bring a nice sized backpack to lug everything in.

If you parked at the overflow parking area you will begin on the Bruce Brockett trail (blue line on the map) at the entrance to the overflow area which will meet up with the Bell Trail over the hill to the south after a mile. Keep note of this spot where the Bell Trail meets the overflow trail if you parked in the overflow parking as you might not notice it on the way back and add an extra mile to your hike out when you get to the end of the Bell Trailhead Parking area.

Nearby Camping

Clear Creek and Clear Creek Group Campgrounds

Getting There

From Phoenix, head north on the I-17 to the Sedona exit (Highway 179) and turn right. Head down the road for 2.1 miles to the parking area and trailhead. If that parking area is full, head back the way you came in 0.3 miles to the overflow parking area.