Cibecue Creek trailhead - , AZ

Rebekah N

Overall this was a nice hike for the views. It gave Zion feelings with the color of the walls. However I will say that it is a very pricey hike if you go as a group. At $45 PER person and the fact that they truly check all permits, it adds up very quickly. Especially compared to like Fossil Creek and Bob bear which are both $6 permits per car. It is a very shaded walk however, be sure to download a map of the area, as there is very poor service.

As others have stated, the permits can only be obtained by the Sinclair about 30 minutes past the trailhead. So just plan accordingly when it comes to when you want to begin your hike. We got a much later than anticipated start because of the permit. at the end it was very gorgeous! We were lucky that there were some tribal members performing a ceremony and were able to be present. It reminds me of being home on my tribes reservation.
Key tips:
Sunscreen always.
Bring plenty of water and possible filter there are no fill stations.
No bathrooms at trailhead so be prepared to pop a squat.
Plan ahead and download trail map in case you get turned around.

Kossi AMETSIFE

It’s an amazing place, and worth you effort. Now, you need to be aware of a couple of things if you are going for the first time and by yourself.

We we say moderate difficulty, it depend on your abilities you might find it hard going over the rocks and balancing yourself. But DO NOT LET ME TURN YOU AWAY; I JUST WANT YOU TO BE AWARE OF WHAT IS THERE.

We drove about 10 miles pass the actual site to buy the permit at a Sinclair gas station. It is stupid if you ask me. Because they could have installed a ticket booth by the trail entrance to prevent us from doing the extra drive. They have a police office who will check your ticket before you drive towards the trail so don’t think you can sneak in and out. They stop selling the pass at 2 pm.

It was $45 per person NOT PER CAR; do not confuse it.

Now, guys nature is majestic; no doubt about that. But for $45 a head, they could have provide better trails. This brings me to my next point. You are going to make your own path up and down. You will see some old path that you. An rely on but you will certainly choose your own route at some places.

You will be crossing the water so be prepared. You will be going over rocks, going around trees.

Edward Norton

The price has changed. It's $45 per person now for full access and you can only get a pass at the Sinclair gas station further down HWY77. Plan ahead.

The road is bumpy on the way on and definitely one way traffic, keep an eye out for oncoming vehicles to plan for the very few pull outs to make room.

Once there you can either cross the stream, which is very solid rock or park on the side before. Limited parking before the creek.

There is a path that winds and turns for about 1.5 miles and brings you too an amazingly beautiful waterfall and small pond. We walked the entire way mostly through the creek up to the falls. Lots of little fish and tadpoles to see.

Be mindful if you bring your dogs, the red sand gets hot, but walking the creek is definitely a good way to keep their paws cool. Lots of pools along the way to cool off as well.

The water is very clean and the path is laid out pretty well. While it's not a difficult hike, there are some rocky areas that require some sure footing.

It's definitely worth the hike as the falls are beautiful.

sachin somasundar

nice easy hike, involve crossing the stream multiple times(at-least 10).. just follow the creek to the falls.. trail is over grown but too bad, wear water shoes and it will involve walking/crossing the stream..
to get to the trailhead parking you will need a high clearance 4x4, we saw an AWD stuck in the creek and had to pulled out. before the creek crossing there is parking for few cars on the road side(there is a no parking sign just before the creek crossing)

Cory Medigovich

Wonderful hike, and a beautiful canyon drive from the East Valley.

Suzy

One of the most spectacular places in Arizona, the waterfall is breathtaking, so is the trail.
Few things to know:
- From the bridge at US 60, it's a 5 miles dirt road to drive. You don't need a high clearance car to make it safely(I made it in a sedan without any issues, so did other cars too). You can park before the river crossing, along the dirt road. It says no parking, but all the cars park there. You can cross the river if you have a high clearance car, jeep, suv, or pickup truck, there is an open bumpy space to park.
-Tickets are sold only at the Sinclair gas station, 24 miles north of the bridge on US 60, or if you're coming from Show low, it's 23 miles south on US 60. You need it! They are checking it at the trail or on the road, you'll have to turn around. Make sure you're purchasing your tickets before 2PM. The price is $45. Don't even bother their website since that doesn't work for several years now(I've tried that first). Their site states that you can purchase it at the trailhead or in a hunting store in Mesa. Both are false, I checked it out.
-The trail starts from the upper bumpy parking lot, between the 2 Cibecu falls signs. It's 1.5 miles long, 3 miles round trip. Just follow the river. The trail is zigzaging through the river, you'll need to climb thru some rocks too. I would call it a moderate hike, most of the time you're walking along the river. Half of the time you're under shade, the cold river it's refreshing when crossing it back and forth. I've seen older people making it without any issues. If you're taking your time and being careful, it will take about 2 hours one way. Experienced hikers can make it in 1 hour one way.
-Wear clothes that are comfortable and don't mind to get wet. If you're planning to jump into the waterfall's pool, bring swimsuits. If you're not planning to jump in, you'll only get wet up to your knees when crossing the river.
-Bring plenty of water, since you're spending 4-6 hours there. Snacks are great, you can have a picnic next to the waterfall.
-Hats, shades, sunscreen and good walking/non slippery shoes (I had sports hiking sandals on, but if you're not experienced, you should wear closed toe shoes).
-Take your trash!

Summary:
It's a really unique and spectacular site, you'll be happy you did it.
Taking in consideration that the one time fee is $45, it's the world's most expensive primitive hiking place and to see a Good given natural beauty. Not sure what they're spending the money on, but definitely not on the road; you should not park along the road but you can't cross the river, and even if you're crossing it it's not a smooth parking. No bathroom (remember that you spend in average 5 hours there). No trashcan anywhere.
Don't get me wrong, it was worth it for me to see this place, the only observation is that there is no justification for the high price. Anyplace you're going in the USA to see a natural beauty, you recognize the entrance fee's purpose (well maintained road, parking lots, bathrooms, trashcans or bags, easy and hassle free ticket purchasing, signs).

I still recommend it!

Jesse Anglen

First things first, I refuse to pay anything to see what God gave us for free.
You can just print a fake permit online, they don't know the difference.
The reason for a one Star review is because of the outrageous prices they are trying to charge.
The trail was relatively short, and absolutely breathtaking. The water is cold, even on these really hot summer days.
As I said, I would highly recommend just printing off a pass on your computer, they don't change the way the pass looks.
We have visited several times for free!

Kylie Dyer

This hike was awesome! The trail path is literally right by the sign but we totally missed it and walked throught the river for awhile. If you take the path you have to cross back and forth a few times but way easier and quicker to the actual falls. Overall I'd say an easy hike.