River Mile: 131.9 - right
Time: 20 minutes to the lower falls and back. Three to four hours to the upper falls and back.
Difficulty: Moderate
Wet or Dry?: Wet. Though much of this route is on a dry desert trail, there are several creek crossings and lots of inviting water.
Ideal Weather: Any. Keep your clothes wet on hot days.
Potential: A loop hike up and over into Galloway Canyon is possible here.
In the summer of 1999, a huge flash flood brought dramatic change to this drainage. The monkey flowers and watercress that provided so many garden-like scenes along the stream’s banks are now gone. But nature is defined by change, and Stone Creek will undoubtedly be going through many changes during the first part of the century.
From the big beach below Dubendorff Rapid, a trail leads upstream along Stone Creek to a waterfall at the head of a box canyon. This is about a ten minute walk from the river, and serves as a worthy destination. If you’re inspired to see more, return down the trail and look for a cairn indicating the upper trail on creek left. The upper trail traverses two sloping rock faces early, and then it is easy walking. If you lack confidence on unstable footing or are nervous about heights, think twice about his route. No climbing is needed, but there is some exposure.
The trail snakes upstream, weaving along the open canyon. Before the flood of ’99, Stone Creek was known for its inviting pools. Lately it is little different. But hey, hat flood debris sure is impressive.