Old Fossil Creek Dam (November 13, 2017)

Autumn at the old Fossil Creek Dam, November 12-13, 2017. Fall colors were at their peak the entire length of Fossil Creek. Daytime tempertures were in the 70°F's.

Fossil Creek Dam was built as a diversion dam to divert water from Fossil Creek via a flume that ran down the canyon. Built in 1908, the dam, flume, power plant, and other facilities were decommissioned in 2005, allowing Fossil Creek to run free for the first time in nearly 100 years. The creek was granted the designation "Wild and Scenic River" in 2009, one of only two rivers given this special designation in the state of Arizona. The site is in Fossil Springs Wilderness, which was established in 1984. The pool below the dam is affectionately known as "the toilet bowl" by visitors who trek nearly five miles on strenuous desert trails to this swimming hole. The dam is at the junction of Flume and Fossil Springs trails.

During the spring-summer season, camping is prohibited in Fossil Springs Wilderness and the surrounding area, and a reserved parking permit is required to park at the trailheads that access the Wilderness. See Fossil Springs Wilderness and Fossil Creek on the USFS Coconino National Forest website for maps, regulations, permit reservations, and other details.

Photo by Deborah Lee Soltesz, November 2017. Source: USFS Coconino National Forest.