The Date Creek Run
We had left the Joshua Forest behind and entered a narrow winding canyon. I had moved out ahead of the rest of the family enjoying the feel of my brand new Polaris 500 Sportsman as it cruised down the wash. Coming to a "T" in the canyon I decided to turn right this branch of the canyon was very narrow. Less than a quarter of a mile and it dead-ended. Then I noticed another opening. A small stream of water ran over a 5 ft ledge and finally disappeared into a small swirling pool. There was also an arch. Beautiful! I climbed up the ledge and followed the stream less than 100 yards to a pool of water 30 ft across and 60 ft long. The stream dropped about 25 feet into the pool from a notch in the canyon wall. Moving around to the other side the canyon provided me with the treat of another pool and the view of a cave further up the Canyon. The urge to explore was upon me but access would be a fairly difficult climb at best and I must return to find my quad riding family. Exploration would have to wait for another day.
What I had discovered was where Tres Alamos Spring entered Date Creek. I visited Tres Alamos last year during a Javelina Hunt (see "It's in the Wash”). There's a beaver colony there and the canyon they live in is a very beautiful place. Nope, it's not 4-wheel drive country or even quad country. It’s the type of place for using your feet or a horse and I personally would not have it any other way. Well that's another story so lets get back to this one. It is a 4-wheeling story.
I call this one the Date Creek Run. It starts just off Highway 93 about 4 or 5 miles past the Congress turn off (Hwy 71). Take the first entrance to the left (west) about a mile past the rest stop. Drive to the power line and turn left (south). You will enter Date Creek wash after a couple of miles. Turn right (west) and travel down the wash. It's about a 17 mile run from Hwy 93 to the Pipeline Ranch and the road that will take you to the Lake Alamo Road. You will come to the canyon "T'" I described about 2.5 miles before you get to Pipeline Ranch. After you come to the "T" you will have to park your vehicle unless of course you're on a quad. Nope you can't even get a jeep up the narrow canyon but, it's a short walk and it's worth the picture opportunities.
After you visit the Mouth of the Tres Alamos Spring Canyon continue on down the wash 2.5 miles and you will come to a dirt road that crosses Date Creek. Turn left and follow the road a few miles and you will come to another road, turn right (west) on this road. We're headed for Wayside for lunch. You can't miss it its the first civilization you'll see. You can usually get gas but there's no guarantee and there's no phone (unless you can find someone with a cell phone). The burgers are good and the locals nice. From here you have two choices continue on down the road to take a look at Lake Alamo (its only about 5 miles) or head back to Hwy 93. You have two choices. If you rode quads you have to go back the way you came. So pay attention coming in. If you drove a street licensed vehicle don't take the turn off that leads to the wash (Date Creek) and keep going straight you'll come out on Hwy 93 about half way between where you turned off and the congress turnoff. It’s a good day trip; take your binoculars, cameras, shovels and tool kits. Stay in the wash or on the roads and respect the beauty of our heritage. Team AZOD hopes you enjoy the Date Creek Run.
Robert Willis
Team AZOD