If you have ever hiked in Arizona, you probably know that the weather can sometimes be extremely erratic. Mix in the differing elevations and you’ve got yourself a big ball of unpredictability. At one point, we were driving through Flagstaff, a flurry of snowflakes blowing around us like a shaken snow globe; an hour later, we were deep in the Grand Canyon, sun shining overhead and temperatures rising, not a single snowflake resting on the ground. A blanket of snow covered the mountaintops while sauna-like heat filled the canyons down below.
With this in mind, let me tell you about one of our crazy weather moments in Arizona!
Blue skies dotted with unthreatening, puffy white clouds followed us to the trailhead until suddenly, dark clouds crept into the expanse. Eerie silence filled the trail as we wound our way through Tonto National Forest. Dark green cacti and vibrant wildflowers scattered the desert. The Superstition Mountains towered in front of us, its dark ridges matching the blackening sky. Fog rolled over the peaks, the wisps of vapor quickly shielding our view. Not another soul joined us on this risky adventure.
We began at a normal saunter, but quickened our pace once we heard thunder echoing in the distance. Still not a drop of rain tickled our skin.
This waterfall trail was on our list of must-sees because it was one of the few waterfalls that flows in Arizona. The most famous waterfalls reside in Havasu (Havasu, Mooney, Beaver and Grand), which appear toward the top of most hikers’ bucket lists. This intense, twenty mile round-trip hike involves permits and backpacking overnight. Most hikers dedicate at least three to four days to complete the adventure. Since we didn’t have the time on this particular trip to explore Havasu, we decided to see what other waterfalls existed in the Grand Canyon State. To our surprise, only a handful dotted the map, so we knew whatever we were able to explore would be well worth it!
A couple miles later, we had reached a slippery rock scramble. At that point, we knew we were close to the falls due to the sudden signs of water pooling around the boulders. The rest of the trail had been dry and devoid of any moisture, just as anyone would expect when traipsing through the desert. Carefully stepping across the wet rocks, I finally saw the waterfall. The falls were sunken below, cascading down hundreds of feet of rocks. The water flowed downstream into another waterfall, which poured into a small pool. Cacti and bright wildflowers sprinkled the land and sloped down the mountains as far as we could see; this waterfall sliced through the middle, trickling down the mountain.
Thunder gradually became louder and more frequent; that was our cue to begin the trek back down the trail. On our way down, we passed a small family hiking up toward the waterfall. The sky was almost completely overtaken by black clouds at this point, and no less than thirty seconds after we reached the safety of our rental truck did the rain pour. The rain didn’t begin as a sprinkle; the clouds just opened up and released a thick, unyielding sheet of precipitation. Immediately, we thought of the family that was stuck on the trail. They were definitely drenched because there were no shade trees, no canopy to take shelter beneath.
Sure enough, a few minutes later, rain still pouring in heavy sheets, the family bounded down the sloped trail, screaming, laughing, and utterly soaked.
Directing our attention back toward the storm, we became mesmerized. Rain drops pelted the windshield; lightening pierced the sky, spotlighting the cacti. Fog billowed over the mountains in thick puffs, shielding the towering peaks from view. All we could see was the dark sky and the frequent, yellow flashes of heat striking the sky and accenting the vegetated, cacti-studded land.
Suddenly, the storm took a left turn. Golf ball-sized hail thudded onto the roof and collected in piles on the ground that looked like snow. Wind whipped in gusty spurts, shaking the truck. The hail continued for several minutes, our jaws dropped and our eyes unblinking at the incredible sight. Since we were in the safety of our truck, we could relish the beauty and wonder of this incredible desert hailstorm.
Later that week, when we were in Apache Junction, hiking up the Superstition Mountains (pictured above, blog post here), we were caught amidst a thunderstorm. Skies can be cloudless and bright blue one minute, and dark and menacing the next. Make sure to be aware of your surroundings and frequently check the radar because you never know when you’ll get caught in severe weather. Snow, sunshine and storms are so interchangeable, especially in places where elevation consistently varies. Be prepared for the worst, keep a watchful eye for possible danger, and stay safe along those trails. If weather takes a turn for the worse, seek shelter. If you are safe and can watch the storm brew and pour from the sky, I’d highly recommend it. Especially if you are around mountains, all types of weather patterns are incredibly unique and beautiful.
Happy hiking!
Wonder. Wander. Repeat. 