Blue Springs Route
Vital Statistics
Mileages
Mileage on this route has been estimated to be anywhere from
1.5 to 3.0 miles, depending on the route followed. In any case,
distance is almost irrelevant in determining hiking time due to
the fact that this route is practically straight down or up.
Maps
7.5 Minute Quadrants: Blue Spring
15 Minute Quadrants: Blue Spring
Elevations
Top of Blue Spring Route 5280’
Blue Spring at Little Colorado 3200’
Trailhead Access
From the rim via the Navajo Reservation and Desert View or from the Little Colorado River (Cameron, Hopi Salt Trail, Beamer). A four wheel drive vehicle is necessary to reach the trailhead. All access roads are unmaintained. Use the road log provided by the Backcountry Office.
0.0 Junction of East Rim Drive and turn off into Desert View housing area.
0.1 Leave paved road and continue straight of dirt road.
0.5 There is a road that branches to the right, continue straight (left).
2.9 Road forks, take main road to right.
4.0 Right.
4.7 Left.
5.3 Left.
5.6 Park Boundary.
5.7 Road forks, keep right (left fork circle Cedar Mt.)
6.7 There is a road that branches to the right, continue straight (left).
6.8 There is a road that branches to the right, continue straight (left).
7.1 There is a road that branches to the right, continue straight (left).
7.6 There is a faint road that branches to the right, continue straight (left).
7.9 Hogan and Corral on left side of road.
8.1 There is a road that branches to the right, continues straight (left)
8.3 Road branches in form right. Continue straight (left).
8.5 Cross creek with rock dam.
9.2 Road branches in form right. Continue straight (left).
9.3 There is a faint road that branches to the right, continue straight (left).
9.9 There is a faint road that branches to the left, continue straight (right).
10.0 There is a road that branches to the right, continue straight (left). Over ridge and down to the bottom of the drainage.
10.6 Stone Corral on right.
11.4 Small wood shelter (Death Hogan?) near creek bed on right.
13.3 Hogan (cabin) on right with sign “1678”
14.2 Wire corral and a faint road that branches to the left, continue straight (right).
14.5 There is a faint road that branches to the left, continue straight (right).
14.8 Enter small canyon.
15.0 There is a road up the hill to your left, continue straight (right)
15.6 Exit canyon and soon pass stone fence and stone building foundation.
16.2 Pass Old Hogan and Stone Corral.
16.3 Turn right at “T” intersection, (left goes to cape solitude).
16.8 Go up steep hill (this is the first area that you probably need 4-wheel drive, depending on weather conditions).
17.5 There is a road that branches to the right, continue straight (left).
17.6 Go down the hill to a gully and a view of the Little Colorado.
18.0 Go up steep hill.
18.1 Roads end. Off the point is an island connected to the point by a shallow saddle with a stone sheep wall across it. The trail starts from the far side of the saddle and takes off to your right. The only marking is a wood lathe stuck in the ground with “Blue Springs Trial” penciled in on it. Past the lathe about 25 feet is a scrubby tree where you start the descent.
Trail Description
The Blue Springs route begins on the promontory to the north of the feature of Blue Springs (see Blue Springs Quad). From the end of the road, cross a stone wall/fence and walk out on the narrow land bridge to the small promontory. The route begins its descent on the south side of the promontory and on the east side of the drainage. The descent is usually marked with cairns. Due to the nature of this route, the most useful description is that provided on the hand drawn map accompanying this. I follow two entirely separate “routes” and out of this area and both were marked with cairns. I found that the map was most useful in clarifying the proper, shortest, and safest route.
The most difficult part of this route is the descent through the Kaibab, Toroweap, and Coconino layers. This also constitutes over half of the route as the only remaining geologic layers in this area are the Supai and a very short section of Redwall. In the upper portions, some VERY exposed sections are encountered and the route can be quite confusing. Once you have reached the base of the Coconino, a trail that is relatively easy to follow exists through the Supai. Follow this to the east for a short distance and then begin a series of numerous, steep switchbacks to the Redwall. The Redwall is not very thick here and at this point you will be only a few hundred feet above the Little Colorado River. Traverse in this layer to the right (southeast), above the river and along ledges until an easy decent is possible.
Water Sources
The only water available on this route is at the Little Colorado River. However, it is recommended that all water needed be carried in. If the LCR is clear, the water is salty and not recommended for drinking. Otherwise the LCR is extremely silty after rains.
Campsites
The trailhead, route, and destination at the Little Colorado are all on Navajo Tribal Lands. It is necessary to obtain a permit from the Navajo to camp on their lands. A permit can be obtained at the Navajo Tribal Parks Department in Window Rock, AZ (520) 871-6647.
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