Saturday, May 4, 2013

Senator Waterfall






    First waterfall on this hike. 

Below the Senator Mine, near the ghost town site of Maxton, are 3 waterfalls along the Hassayampa River. They are all within 1/4 mile of each other.

This short hike leads you down hill into the Hassayampa River. There is private property further downstream so respect that as well as mining claims along this stretch of the Hassayampa River.

Trail Info

  • Beautiful small stream hike to three waterfalls.
  • Do not take this hike during high water periods.
  • About 1 1/4 miles round trip.
  • No trail to follow.
  • Some bushwhacking and rock scrambling required. 


To reach these waterfalls, follow the Senator Highway south out of Prescott to the ghost town site of Maxton. See our Google Map below.


  Senator Highway


Park safely off the Senator Highway and follow the old original now overgrown Senator Highway downhill toward the bottom of the Hassayampa River.



   The route passes by the original Maxton Mill site. Old mining equipment is spread about.                  



   Drop into the Hassayampa River and follow it upstream.


Once in the river, really a small creek at this location, follow it upstream.
About 1/4 mile upstream you will come to the first waterfall, see top photo above.

                                                  Small Cascade.

                                                  

The three falls are all within 1/4 mile of each other. Continuing upstream you soon come to a small cascade, photo above.




Shortly above the cascade is the tallest waterfall. These falls are different as far as waterfalls go. Total height is around 60 feet. It is a three part fall. At the top the water cascades downhill, suddenly turns and falls about 12 feet and makes another quick turn and fall another 20 or so feet into a pool.

The name Senator Falls is only a name I have given it, being so close to the Senator Mine.



                                 Last 20 feet of the Senator Waterfall.





     A photo from above the falls.

Return the way you came or one can carefully pick their way up the mountain back toward the vehicle, but it is steep.



   Return back downstream the way you came. 


Google Map
https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=209862872930327478900.0004dbed3a59646c1a0d4&msa=0&ll=34.426233,-112.433803&spn=0.00135,0.00305

Please forgive errors in grammar or spelling as we type from our phones.