Archive All Issues August 2007

Wet Wizard

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Water makes magic in West Clear Creek.

Featured in the August 2007 Issue of Arizona Highways

"Because of its proximity to an access route, I crossed this pool many times to reach the canyon beyond. It's a deep pool for this stretch of the canyon, fed by springs seeping through the wall at the far end. The inner walls are unusually low, allowing a glimpse of the pine-covered slope and the towering upper walls. These elements combine for an interesting reflection."
"Because of its proximity to an access route, I crossed this pool many times to reach the canyon beyond. It's a deep pool for this stretch of the canyon, fed by springs seeping through the wall at the far end. The inner walls are unusually low, allowing a glimpse of the pine-covered slope and the towering upper walls. These elements combine for an interesting reflection."
BY: Steve Bruno

SOARING TEMPERATURES ON THE DESERT FLOOR INEVITABLY turn my thoughts to the West Clear Creek Wilderness. For summer is the only season when this canyon offers a welcome mat to the robust souls willing to take on its challenges. The successful will see nature's version of an Emerald City that no Hollywood studio could possibly create. The wizard here, of course, being water. There's no denying its handiwork in all facets of the continuous cycle of creation taking place from the rim to the canyon bottom. Capturing the intricacies of this riparian treasure on the nonclairvoyant properties of film seems fallible. Those who've been fortunate to witness West Clear Creek Canyon's seasonal uncloaking will have to agree. Al

WATERCOLOR WILDERNESS

INSPIRATION “West Clear Creek makes numerous bends, and photographing from the rim presents more challenges than from below. I spent many nights camped on the rim, and one morning, noticed the light on the canyon’s opposite side [below]. Inspired by the sight, I made my way across the canyon. This new perspective revealed how the canyon blends from rocky open slopes into pine trees battling for space among the protruding sandstone spires.”

VERDANT VISION “Sunlight reflects the green of the tall creekside pines onto one of West Clear Creek’s pools [right] before the creek changes character once again into a boulder-strewn box canyon.”