Searching for Indian Ruins above Badger Springs

The Skyliners set out to explore Indian ruins we had been told are located on the mesa above Badger Springs Wash. We drove to Camp Verde and took I-17 south about 30 miles to Exit 256, the Badger Springs Exit. After exiting we turned back under the southbound lanes of the freeway and drove east on Badger Springs Road, crossing under the northbound lanes after about 0.4 miles, and continued for another 0.5 miles before turning the right to follow a road down Badger Springs Wash. Approximately 0.1 miles down the wash we came to a toilet, apparently installed and serviced as part of the Agua Fria National Monument.

We paused while those who felt the urge utilized the facilities and then, instead of following the well-worn trail on down the wash to the Agua Fria River, turned to climb the west slope of the wash to the mesa above. We had been told that the ruins we sought were located near the juncture of the wash with the river, but that they were best approached from the mesa. The path we followed was well marked for a short distance but grew ever fainter until, near the top, it vanished completely. The going was nevertheless not too difficult, just a bit rocky and with scattered cactus. We hiked along on top of the mesa, heading southeast toward where we believed the ruins were located. When we thought we were nearing the ruins we cut back to follow closely along the rim so as not to miss them. Conspicuously missing was any sign of Indian ruins.

Although we still hadn't seen any ruins, we did have a spectacular view of the Badger Springs Wash with the Agua Fria River, and before continuing our search, we paused to enjoy the view and take a photograph (below).

Junction of Badger Springs Wash with Agua Fria River – seen from the 

mesa above the was

We continued along the rim for about another 0.2 miles before deciding that we had either missed the ruins or they were a myth. Declining to waste any more time searching, we turned and headed back along the rim looking for a good place to descend into the wash. Our plan was to eat lunch at the mouth of Badger springs Wash.

Part of the group thought that the point where we had originally approached the rim looked like a favorable point to descend, others wanted to go back farther and look for an easier descent, so we broke into two groups. This would anyway give us a chance to test two walkie-talkies provided by David Nelson. The Skyliners had decided to purchase a pair for use in just such circumstances and David was able to provide, for a test, a ten-year old pair of the model we are considering.

The way down the hillside (perhaps I should say Cliffside) into the wash was steep and rocky. However, with care it was navigated successfully and we were soon enough walking down the sandy bottom of the wash toward its junction with the river. There we stopped to look at hieroglyphics visible on the canyon wall and wait for the group who were searching for an easier descent into the wash. All the while, successfully keeping in touch in touch by use of the walkie-talkies.

Although I had been this way before without seeing he hieroglyphics, they are really quite prominent once one knows to look for them. I took four different photographs (below) while we waited for the rest of the party to join us for lunch at the junction of Badger Springs Wash and Aqua Fria River.

Photograph 1 - junction of Badger Springs Wash with Agua Fria River

Photograph 2 - junction of Badger Springs Wash with Agua Fria River

Photograph 3 - junction of Badger Springs Wash with Agua Fria River

Photograph 4 - junction of Badger Springs Wash with Agua Fria River

We settled in at the junction for the better part of an hour, taking naps and eating lunch. Mary found a smooth, sunny rock, I found a nice soft bed on the grass with a handy log on which to elevate my feet for a nap, Marvin found a spot to his liking just across the river and the rest of the group settled on the sand, perched on rocks or selected spots of grass.

The other group having joined us and rested for a while, we decided to move on and hike a short distance down the river before returning to our cars. Before leaving the spot, though, we posed for a group photograph, taken by another hiker (part of a duo from Phoenix) who happened along at just the right time.

 Left to right: George Everman (kneeling), Miriam Sterling, Lila Wright, 

 Mary Gavan, Becky Fowski, Daisy Williams (kneeling), Marvin Alt 

 (rear), the author, Connie Woolard (kneeling), Bob Wakefield, Bill 

 Woolard  (kneeling), Name Withheld, Jan PreFontaine, Dolly Yapp 

 (kneeling), Anita Jackson (rear) and Cindy Covin

A short conversation with our guest photographer Chris Bailey and his wife Erica revealed that they were from Phoenix, hiked in the area frequently and had been to the ruins we were looking for. Chris even has a GPS track to the site that he is will willing to share. We traded e-mail addresses and he promised to send the track to me. He and Erica also indicated that they might join us for future hikes.

The rest of the hike was pleasant but uneventful. We crossed the river and hiked downstream about 0.2 miles along a well-worn path on the east bank before turning back. For the trip back to the cars we chose the easy route, directly up the wash. I think we had all had enough of the rocky mesa for one day.

The total hike was only 3.5 miles according to my GPS; the maximum elevation was 3467 feet and the total ascent was only 575 feet; however, the rocky ascent to the top of the mesa and the precarious climb back down provided some good exercise.