I debated for awhile whether to include this hike or not. The reason? Read on.

The only trail I had hiked in the White Tanks before this attempt was the Goat Camp Trail, which I'd taken all the way to the towers at the top. Having enjoyed that hike 3 times previously, I figured it was time to explore some other trails.

The itinerary: Start west on the Waterfall Trail (trail B), take the Rock Knob Trail (trail C) further west and head to the Slick Rock Cross (trail G) where I would turn north to meet the Willow Springs Trail (trail E) which would head back east to the road, and then return to the car. All total, somewhere around 7 miles round-trip.

I made it to the entrance gate just before 7AM. No ranger was available to take the $2 fee, so I instead used the honor system envelopes located just beyond the entrance shack. Actually, I only had a $20 bill on me, and since I couldn’t get change, I figured I’d just pay $4 the next time in. While continuing to the Waterfall trailhead I saw a family of 4 quail crossing the road.

Starting up the Waterfall trail I noted how wide and manicured this trail is. So much so that it is accessible for those in wheel chairs. Along several spots beside this trail, are petroglyphs. I knew that around 3/4 of a mile down the trail I should see the spur trailhead that would take me up the Rock Knob Trail. I missed it. I ended up going to the very end of the Waterfall Trail which is about 1/4 mile beyond the spur. The end of the Waterfall Trail is the waterfall rising about 30 to 40 feet (or what would be a waterfall if water were running) surrounded by shear rock making an impressive canyon of this spot.

Knowing I had gone too far, it was time to backtrack. As I approached a large metal tank on my left, I found a very small trail which appeared to head in the direction I needed to go. This initial climb of the Rock Knob was to be about 600 feet. This is a steep climb on a very rocky trail, as the trail does little traversing. About half way up I crossed the actual trail. It was about twice as wide as the crude path I had been taking, and not in much better shape. I made it to a saddle at about 8 AM and decided to break for some water. The heat was already intense and I was feeling it. I did find some shade beside one of the few mesquite trees to be had.

After my break I stayed to the left of the saddle and traversed around a small peak which enabled me to see on my left, the top of what makes up the waterfall for the Waterfall Trail. Another 10 minutes down the trail I arrived at a junction with a couple of signs separated by about 100 feet. These were directing me to the direction of the Rock Knob and Willow Springs Trails. I reached into my pack for my map so as to make sure of my route from here, and noticed that I was 1 water bottle short. I had only packed 2, and was now down to just 1. I determined I must have left the bottle back at the saddle. The saddle was 15 minutes behind me, so to go get the bottle and return to where I was standing would be another 1/2 hour. To continue on the hike with at least 2/3 of it left didn’t seem like a very good idea without that bottle. So I decided to hike smart, and just cut this hike short.

I actually went around the north side of the peak I had been traversing and started back on the Willow Springs Trail. Another 5 minutes and I noticed a small spur trail which looked like it would make the climb to the saddle I had been previously. I figured I’d give it a shot, and at least find the bottle before I left. This trail was every bit as tough as the trail I took off the Waterfall Trail. After about 10 minutes of a very steep climb I made it to the saddle once again. After orienting myself I was able to find the bottle.

I decided to follow the Rock Knob back down and find out where it exactly joined the Waterfall Trail, so I could remember it for another day. 20 minutes later it intersected the Waterfall Trail. I marked off the number of paces from the large steel tank on the Waterfall trail to the Rock Knob trailhead. It is about 60 paces down the Waterfall Trail east of the tank, and is now well marked by cairns which I left.

At this point I was coming close to feeling overcome by the heat. Here it was just before 9AM and the heat had taken its toll. Something that may have contributed to my lack of energy was I had been working the night shift . Having only slept 3 hours, my body was in the middle of transitioning to regular days. By the time I got back to the car, I had little energy left, and a mean headache. After starting the car, it was all I could do to find the energy to leave the park, and drive slowly home.

So why write this hike up? Well, it was a lesson for me in many ways. Trying to find the Rock Knob, dropping my water, deciding to curtail the hike, and becoming weak by the heat, I learned that not every hike is going to be a good experience. There is a way to hike smart, and I had made a good decision to end the hike early. Should you find yourself in the same situation, I would hope you also do the right thing.

Getting there: From Phoenix, take Olive Road west until it ends at the entrance to the White Tanks. Follow White Tank Mountain Road for about 1.5 miles, then take a left on Waterfall Canyon Road. The first parking area to the left is the where the trailhead begins.

Tips: Park opens at 6AM. Fee is $2 to enter park. Area map is available from the shack at the entrance, when manned.

Stats: The original plans for this hike was to be about 7 miles long with an ascent of about 1700 feet, but ended up being about 3 miles with an ascent of about 900 feet.