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Fossil Creek seems to appear out of nowhere, gushing 20,000 gallons a minute out of a series of springs at the bottom of a 1,600 foot deep canyon. Over the years these calcium laden waters have laid down huge deposits of a type of limestone called travertine. That rock-like substance encases whatever happens to fall into the streambed, forming the fossils for which the area is named. Fossil Creek is one of two "Wild and Scenic" rivers in Arizona. This special designation was achieved when the Irving power plant was decommissioned, and removal of flume and dam on the creek allowed this magnificent creek to once again flow freely through Arizona's arid landscape. Most people come to Fossil Creek to sunbathe, wade, hike and birdwatch. It's also a great place to take photographs. The lushness of the riparian area strikes a sharp contrast to the brittle desert that surrounds it. Increasing popularity has led to the Coconino and Tonto National Forests to implement a parking permit reservation system in 2016. Reserved parking permits give visitors the peace of mind knowing they'll have a spot waiting for them in this remote location. Many visitors drive two or three hours to get to the creek. The final descent to the creek at the bottom of a canyon is on an extremely rough, rocky jeep road. Photo by Deborah Lee Soltesz. Credit: USFS Coconino National Forest. Learn more about visiting Fossil Creek, Fossil Springs Wilderness, and the Coconino National Forest.

Fossil Creek seems to appear out of nowhere, gushing 20,000 gallons a minute out of a series of springs at the bottom of a 1,600 foot deep canyon. Over the years these calcium laden waters have laid down huge deposits of a type of limestone called travertine. That rock-like substance encases whatever happens to fall into the streambed, forming the fossils for which the area is named. Fossil Creek is one of two "Wild and Scenic" rivers in Arizona. This special designation was achieved when the Irving power plant was decommissioned, and removal of flume and dam on the creek allowed this magnificent creek to once again flow freely through Arizona's arid landscape. Most people come to Fossil Creek to sunbathe, wade, hike and birdwatch. It's also a great place to take photographs. The lushness of the riparian area strikes a sharp contrast to the brittle desert that surrounds it. Increasing popularity has led to the Coconino and Tonto National Forests to implement a parking permit reservation system in 2016. Reserved parking permits give visitors the peace of mind knowing they'll have a spot waiting for them in this remote location. Many visitors drive two or three hours to get to the creek. The final descent to the creek at the bottom of a canyon is on an extremely rough, rocky jeep road. Photo by Deborah Lee Soltesz. Credit: USFS Coconino National Forest. Learn more about visiting Fossil Creek, Fossil Springs Wilderness, and the Coconino National Forest.

Fossil Springs Wilderness: Old Fossil Creek Dam

The Fossil Creek Diversion Dam is found at the end of Flume Trail. It was built in 1915 to divert water from fossil creek into flumes that flow to the Irving Powerhouse. The hand-built, concrete dam was 25 feet high, 5 feet wide at the top, and over 24 feet wide at the base. The top 14 feet of the dam was removed in 2008 to allow the creek to flow freely, leaving a man-made waterfall a quarter mile downstream from the main springs. The Fossil Creek Diversion Dam is found at the end of Flume Trail. It was built in 1915 to divert water from fossil creek into flumes that flow to the Irving Powerhouse. The hand-built, concrete dam was 25 feet high, 5 feet wide at the top, and over 24 feet wide at the base. The top 14 feet of the dam was removed in 2008 to allow the creek to flow freely, leaving a man-made waterfall a quarter mile downstream from the main springs.

The Flume Trail starts at the old Irving Power Plant site. The five mile long trail follows the old flume access road along the canyon wall above Fossil Creek, providing beautiful, wide-open views of the wilderness. There is an easy low-water crossing across flat, solid rock at the trailhead on Forest Road 708. From the trailhead, the trail heads up towards the cliff wall where informational signs can be found. The steep hillside offers little shade to the gently rolling trail. The trail ends at the Old Fossil Springs Dam, where it meets up with Fossil Springs Trail.

The Flume Trail starts at the old Irving Power Plant site. The five mile long trail follows the old flume access road along the canyon wall above Fossil Creek, providing beautiful, wide-open views of the wilderness. There is an easy low-water crossing across flat, solid rock at the trailhead on Forest Road 708. From the trailhead, the trail heads up towards the cliff wall where informational signs can be found. The steep hillside offers little shade to the gently rolling trail. The trail ends at the Old Fossil Springs Dam, where it meets up with Fossil Springs Trail.

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