Verde Hot Springs Hike

Monday (4/9/18) a small group of friends drove to Verde Hot Springs, freehiked in, and soaked.  The sun was bright in this high desert setting – one of the most remoted areas in Arizona – so bright that some got too much sun.  The hour ride in was long and ruff but doable by car if driven slowly and carefully.  (One member felt like he had ridden in a cement mixer.)  There were actually a few people parked in the campground near the river, which was nicely shaded by tall trees, but that didn’t detour us from getting naked for the 30-minute freehike to the 100 degree spring – which was wonderful by the way.  We had to cross the muddy river just before arriving - the water was knee deep with few rocks.  In the past, a small hotel had existed at the site, but it was gone.  The main hot spring was cloudy and deep.  A colorfully painted rock enclosure had two other springs.  And several caves led to hot springs in the cliff.  A young couple in swim suits arrived before us, but they didn’t mind our nudity.  After a good soak and lunch, we freehiked out, having truly enjoyed nakedness and friendliness in this beautiful, remote desert area.