Fossil Springs

Fossil Springs is truly (in my humble opinion) one of the best kept secrets in all of Arizona. While everyone and their mother goes to Fossil Creek to cool off in the summer, Fossil Springs is oftentimes overlooked. It probably has something to do with the fact that getting to the water requires a rigorous 4 mile hike each way, but that's a minor detail.

We left Phoenix around 8 in the morning on a random Wednesday to avoid any potential crowds, and headed north to Strawberry, Arizona, arriving at the trailhead around 10:15. Shortly into the hike, we realized that not only was it loads hotter than we expected, but the hike down was actually really steep. I think we were all thinking about how miserable the hike back uphill would be, but no one ever actually voiced that concern. Maybe I was the only one thinking that. Who knows.

After 4 hot and sweaty miles, lots of water breaks, tons of word games, and one near-death rattlesnake experience, the desert landscape opened up and we were greeted with a huge waterfall and  clear blue swimming pools.

Pro-tip: Do not even start the hike if you don't have goggles. Not only do they ensure that you will be the most stylish one there, but without them you won't be able to see all the underwater beauty!! We stopped at a Walmart right outside Strawberry, AZ and picked up these beauties.

Not pictured: a cave right below Areta leading to the "toilet bowl," which is quite literally a small whirlpool that sucks you under. And yes, it was just as scary as it sounds.

My Instagram caption for this picture was "my friends jumped so I did too," and that sums up exactly how this went down. I swear it's higher than it looks!! But so worth it.

You have to have a permit to hike Fossil Springs, so if you want to do this hike (which you should), you need to plan the trip ahead of time and make sure you can snag a permit!! The trail and the swimming holes are WAY less crowded than Fossil Creek, and the hike gives you an amazing sense of accomplishment. 10/10 would recommend!!

With GCOB love,

Mallory

P.S... For the sake of full disclosure, the hike back up was indeed very steep and slightly miserable at times, but it made us appreciate the water even more!