Deadman Mesa and Fossil Creek
27.8 mi4,284 ft
5,961 ft
2,615 ft
Fun summer backpack option, with some wading in Fossil Creek on a remote trail and a hard climb up Deadman Mesa.
Photos
Dim morning light on Twin Buttes Trailhead
Distant and hazy North Peak
Morning light coloring the mesa
Old fencing remains near Camp Gulch
Stretch of beautiful trail
Rugged lands to the west
Old track leading down to the river
Level view of Ike's Backbone
Unmarked junction with Deadman Mesa Trail
Hidden trail through the tall grass
Finally next to Fossil Creek
Mixed vegetation along the banks
First of many little waterfalls
Fun crossing on slick rocks
Dry mouth of Hardscrabble Creek
Another rocky crossing of Fossil Creek
Scenic pool begging to be waded across
One steep climb up Ike's Backbone
Another easy, appealing crossing through a sandy pool
Hot, dry shortcut through thorny things
Waterfall next to the campsite
Tagged clump of grass marking the way out
The start of the real trail out
Slowly brightening sky over the creek gorge
Climbing up and up and up
Brilliant sunrise over Cedar Bench
Dancing along the fins on the climb up
A long view down the Verde River valley
A well-cairned path through the cactus
One final section of trail
Dry ground at Deadman Tank
Hiking along a two-track
Ridiculous view across Hardscrabble Creek's canyon
Walking under powerlines
Crossing the upper reaches of Hardscrabble Creek
Tall cairn marking the benchmark
Along the way
Creek 1
- Fossil Creek
Mountain 1
- Ike's Backbone
Camping 1
- Fossil Creek campsite below the climb
Trailhead 1
- Twin Buttes Trailhead
Junction 1
- Deadman Mesa Trail junction