Diamond Creek, a very popular place for river runners to take out, is hardly visited at all by hikers. It is a 22 mile dirt road drive from the town of Peach Springs, Arizona, on the Hualapai reservation. Please stop by the new lodge there and pick up a permit for hiking from the front desk. The road is in excellent condition and virtually any car can make it to the Colorado River. There is a small picnic and camping area there with some outhouses. The Hualapai will check permits of  river runners, sightseers, and hikers. Word in the news recently is that the Hualapai have state and federal funds with which to pave the old road in the next couple of years.

Peach Springs was named by early explorers, who found Peach trees growing at the springs. Spanish legend has the trees were   planted by Jesuit Missionaries from San Bernardino, who were looking for a silver mine in the area. Others credit the Peach trees to Mormon pioneers who passed through in 1852 looking for a crossing of the Colorado River back to Utah. On a recent visit we found no evidence of Peach trees any longer at the springs. We found a party of river runners taking out of the river, at the end of the road, and a few sightseers enjoying the wondrous views.

Garces visited Diamond Creek in 1776 and then Lieutenant Joseph Ives and Doctor Newberry, the famous botanist , visited in April, 1858. The journey down Peach Spring Wash still follows pretty much the same route as followed by these early explorers and the scenery has changed not all all. Ives reported seeing Hualapai, and being somewhat frustrated that they ignored his party. Around the 1880's, the Farley Hotel was at Diamond Creek. Visitors could leave the Santa Fe train at Peach Springs and ride down to the river. The famous late nineteenth century photographer, William Henry Jackson, made studies here. Eventually, the hotel was damaged in a flood, and later dismantled. Historic photographs that show the hotel with Model T's parked in front, prove that is stood for quite a while.

Extremely tough hikers can walk the Tonto downriver from Diamond Creek to Travertine Canyon, and reportedly all the way to Separation Canyon. Harvey reports it would take 1.5 days. The trail, once maintained by the wild burros, is still visible, although it fades in spots. Travertine Canyon, among others, provides access to the river. Upstream, one can follow the river all the way to the Granite Park area. Bob Marley and Bob Cree did an epic trip all the way to Lee's Ferry!

Wild Burrows still roam this part of the lower Grand Canyon!

There is more hiking up the creek itself if you park where the creek meets the road. There is a little parking area and picnic shelter at this spot. One can follow the perennial creek up to the narrows, called the "Black Aisle" by Donald Davis. John Green reports that it is possible to stay in the bed, but some chockstones must be climbed. From Diamond Creek, Diamond Peak can be climbed by heading to the saddle, and then up the ridge to the summit, a worthy goal. John Green reports finding a bottle with a note on top from the 1880's!

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All contents of all pages Copyright ©  1997/ 2006  by Mike Mahanay. All Rights Reserved Much of Treks is a compilation of various contributors! Do you have any off trail stories, hikes, or descriptions you would like to add? Do you have any questions, comments, or corrections? If so, drop me a  email at mike@grandcanyontreks.org