Bluewater Canyon

Bluewater Canyon is a 20 mile loop with 4000' of gain into San Mateo and Bluewater Canyons with one heck of a drop and climb in the middle. It's normally only accessible by backpacking or a really long day hike.
IMG_0636 Headed back to the same area I had run a couple times over the last month. This time I would be going past Four Corners down into San Mateo and Bluewater...
Headed back to the same area I had run a couple times over the last month. This time I would be going past Four Corners down into San Mateo and Bluewater…
IMG_0638 The trail starts getting much less maintained as soon as you get past Four Corners. I do get nervous not being able to see where my feet are landing during the...
The trail starts getting much less maintained as soon as you get past Four Corners. I do get nervous not being able to see where my feet are landing during the…
IMG_0640 A look at Bluewater Ridge. You can see the trail following along the ridge. It was about here that I came across a group of backpackers (the only humans I saw...
A look at Bluewater Ridge. You can see the trail following along the ridge. It was about here that I came across a group of backpackers (the only humans I saw…
IMG_0642 Looks I'm about to drop down into San Mateo Canyon. As it turns out, this sign is a bit deceptive. It is a 1300' drop, but the mileage includes a flat portion...
Looks I'm about to drop down into San Mateo Canyon. As it turns out, this sign is a bit deceptive. It is a 1300' drop, but the mileage includes a flat portion…
IMG_0645 Dropping down into the canyon. You can see the trail winding down and then the San Mateo Creek bed at the bottom.
Dropping down into the canyon. You can see the trail winding down and then the San Mateo Creek bed at the bottom.
IMG_0646 Jumped over this little guy on the way down. There's no way you can stop your momentum in time on the steep downhills. I really didn't even see him until I was...
Jumped over this little guy on the way down. There's no way you can stop your momentum in time on the steep downhills. I really didn't even see him until I was…
IMG_0647 The same spot of the creek bed from a few pictures ago, except now finally getting closer.
The same spot of the creek bed from a few pictures ago, except now finally getting closer.
IMG_0649 The trail starts getting back into taller vegatation as you near the bottom of San Mateo Canyon. The trail here is a bit of a slip and slide coming down.
The trail starts getting back into taller vegatation as you near the bottom of San Mateo Canyon. The trail here is a bit of a slip and slide coming down.
IMG_0651 Made it to the bottom, and it's nice down here!
Made it to the bottom, and it's nice down here!
IMG_0652 San Mateo Creek. It's actually a good sized creek, especially for such a dry year. I wonder if those are native ducks?
San Mateo Creek. It's actually a good sized creek, especially for such a dry year. I wonder if those are native ducks?
IMG_0656 Great creek scenery.
Great creek scenery.
IMG_0658 Another view of the creek.
Another view of the creek.
IMG_0660 The trail climbs and dips along the bottom of the canyon for a while with some great scenery.
The trail climbs and dips along the bottom of the canyon for a while with some great scenery.
IMG_0662 The whole bottom of this valley was probably flooded in the Spring of 2011.
The whole bottom of this valley was probably flooded in the Spring of 2011.
IMG_0663 The trail now leaves the bottom of San Mateo Canyon and hops over to the smaller Bluewater Canyon. There are several small, dry creek beds here.
The trail now leaves the bottom of San Mateo Canyon and hops over to the smaller Bluewater Canyon. There are several small, dry creek beds here.
IMG_0666 Another deceptive sign. Yes, it's 1800' up, but almost 2 miles of the 3.3 are flat!
Another deceptive sign. Yes, it's 1800' up, but almost 2 miles of the 3.3 are flat!
IMG_0668 Bluewater Creek. Smaller than San Mateo, but really nice. The trail crosses back and forth across the creek 7 or 8 times and gets hard to find in places.
Bluewater Creek. Smaller than San Mateo, but really nice. The trail crosses back and forth across the creek 7 or 8 times and gets hard to find in places.
IMG_0670 Where's the trail? Things are pretty overgrown down by Bluewater Creek. As much I appreciate the work of trail maintenance volunteers, this was my favorite...
Where's the trail? Things are pretty overgrown down by Bluewater Creek. As much I appreciate the work of trail maintenance volunteers, this was my favorite…
IMG_0672 Some great single track down by the creek.
Some great single track down by the creek.
IMG_0674 Now the trail is officially starting to climb up out of Bluewater Canyon, and it's steep! It's about a 1300' mile, which is a power hike at best.
Now the trail is officially starting to climb up out of Bluewater Canyon, and it's steep! It's about a 1300' mile, which is a power hike at best.