by Ellen Heyn, Communications Associate
What do you call a watercourse with a current, confined within a bed and stream banks? Rivers and creeks pop up as place names across the United States, but depending on where you live, you might have another answer.
A brook to Northeasterners is a branch in southern states. Runs in Pennsylvania are swamps in the coastal Carolinas. Bayous are localized to Louisiana, as arroyos and ríos are to New Mexico. And while sloughs and forks flow throughout the western states, here in the Southwest, we call them washes.
The term "wash" refers to the intermittent rainfall of the region. Parts of the Colorado Plateau receive fewer than 10 inches of precipitation a year, but on a geologic timescale, that’s been enough water to sculpt the plateau’s flat sedimentary layers into a landscape of sinuous canyons, terraced mesas, and towering buttes.
Water is scarce in the desert, but it is here. You just have to be willing to look for it.
Today, we celebrate the Colorado Plateau’s—insert stream name of choice—with these five hikes to watering holes, creeks, pools, and potholes. After all, a creek by any other name is just as sweet.
This beautiful walk takes you down a steep slickrock slope, with the option of two routes that lead to the bottom or top of Upper Calf Creek Falls. Both routes take you to a desert oasis, complete with pools, shade, and opportunities to get wet. Hike details ›
This spur trail at Dead Horse Point State Park takes you to the edge of a dimpled ridge, and if it’s rained recently, potholes will polka dot the slickrock. Look closely and you might see tiny organisms like mites, tadpoles, and mosquito larva swimming in the ephemeral pools. Hike details ›
This hike follows a perennial creek past walls of Navajo Sandstone. When the canyon opens up farther downstream, enjoy vanilla scents wafting from ponderosa pines. You’re guaranteed to get your feet wet on this one, given the numerous stream crossings. Hike details ›
A short, easy walk along Straight Wash to lower Eardley Canyon. Pass several small pools, and boulder hop until the trail dead ends at an impassable pouroff and swimming hole that is plenty deep for a refreshing dip. Hike details ›
After a round-trip hike up Pelican Canyon to a flat-topped mountain, Fish Lake tempts you with its cool waters! The trailhead is a hop, skip, and a jump away from the lake’s edge. Bring your floaties and lake toys for a post-hike swim. Hike details ›
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