Waterfall / Hole in the Wall- near Tres Alamos Spring-Congress, Az

64.5 miles                                                                                                                                                    

   The Half Fast Group- Tom and Sandy, Fred and Nancy, Joe, Mike and Janna, Larry and Geri left Congress, Arizona, and headed past Indian Rock toward Hwy 93 thru the BLM land.

There were a few gates along the way to open and shut. Obeying the West rule: If the gate is shut, go thru, and shut it again!  We passed near some private land, being respectful to slowdown.

Once we crossed Hwy 93, we followed the Alamo Lake dirt Road (This road did not have markings on it) After 2  miles and at GPS 34*10'22N 113*03'46W, we turned right and ended up following a trail under the huge power lines.  this was interesting since the Joshua Trees were thick in this stretch.  These Joshua Trees were blooming, it gets a football size flower, similar to a lilac with a rubber feel,  no aroma,  but the bees were on it and some places birds have eaten the flower petals. In a grassy bottom area, one of our group saw a javelina.

  The banks of the wash consisted of round rocks from small to five foot large and thirty feet high. I always wonder what is under the surface of the desert floor.  Then we came down in to a large wash, where you could see a hillside blooming with orange and yellow poppies.  The mountains in this area have amazing colors, black volcanic stones, almost light purple, yellow and red rock.

We picked a shaded corner of the wash, to have lunch.  There was a 80ft high bank of solid rock. Geri had wrapped apples and cinnamon, in foil and placed it on her muffler at the beginning of the ride, after 3 hours, it was cooked to perfection and smelled delicious.

We drove a little further to the end of the trail and our destination, 28 miles from Congress. Using your GPS, Map Datum WGS84  N34 12' 50* W113 09' 00W* 
This is a unique sight to see in the Senora desert. First you will see the natural stone arch, also known as hole in the wall, 30 ft high and 40ft long opening. Right next to it is a short 5 ft waterfall drop, with water flowing into a small pond with algae growing in it which gives off a neon glow. This area had receive a lot of rain in the last week, so I am not sure if water is running year round.

As we walked back into the canyon, up stream, you sense the feeling of an oasis. Rock walls all around you. We did notice a placket up the rock wall, a metal cutout of a buck and doe, "In memory of  John and Charlene Wilson", this must of been a special place for them.  As we reach at the end, you notice it is quite large, 60x60ft and 15 ft. deep pond. There is a rock over hang which is dripping with water into the pond. Then you notice the wet waterfall, which drops 50 ft from the top. Lush plants are growing on the banks and on the rock cliff because it is in the shade all day.
When we were walking out we noticed a small area to the left, we walked back to find stone pillars and deep grass. Oh what a special place it is.

Video of Honey Bee Spring on YouTube at https://youtu.be/0PKXpJvvcCY                                 

For our return trip, we took a different trail to the Alamo Road. There are numerous trails in this area, but our group didn't know where they all lead to!
Back on the trail, we came across a 3 ft.  rattle snake, sunning itself in the sun on the trail.  We backed up to give it room, and admired him from a distance. He was rattling and coiled up under a palo verde tree.  He is called a coon rattle, for the black and white stripes on his rattle.
The trip took 6 hours, for the 60 miles, including gate openings, picture taking,  stops to visit, lunch break and touring the canyon. It is a easy smooth drive, one of the best rides we have been on in Arizona!

I found a interesting topo map internet site-TopoQuest. It shows the terrain and GPS coordinates in any area.

Rattle Snake on the trail

INFORMATION>
LOCATION>   NEAREST CITY= Congress, Az  DIRECTIONS=Off of Hwy 93, Alamo Lk rd.
AREA >   TYPE OF LAND=-desert  , OWNER=  BLM, QUALITY >  Pro  great destination/ Con flat ride to it /  Length of stay 1 / Rating-stars-5 the pond and waterfall and hole in the wall are great
TERRAIN>  MILES OF TRAILS,30 mi one way- desert & dust                                                               TRAIL MAINTENCE no  / SQ. MILE AREA -/  NEAR BY TRAILS- Yes
KEY SERVICES> Camping Boondocking or North Ranch, Congress / Gasoline / Diesel / First Aid /  Water /  Dump / Food=Congress or Wickenburg
SIDE TRIPS> Numerous trails in this area