Deuel Creek - South - Early Spring

 

Deuel Creek is a fantastic trail in Centerville that follows a creek all the way up. There are 2 nice waterfalls, as well of dozens of small waterfalls along the way. It’s a little hard to get to, but that also means it is not very crowded. Between the South and the North trail, I definitely recommend the South trail. The north one takes you high above the canyon, where as the South one follows the creek. There is definitely a lot of interesting things to see along the way, which combined with following the creek up make this particular trail a very fun adventure.

The upper waterfall in May of 2013.

Quick Details:

Length: 2.5 Ish miles to the 2nd waterfall. 5 round trip.
Difficulty: DR4. It doesn’t seem like it, but there is definitely some elevation gain.
Elevation Gain: 1351 + some change, we didn’t quite make it to the 2nd waterfall today.
Restroom: No.
Dogs? Yes. Please clean up after your furry friend.

To get here: take exit 319 in Centerville and head east towards the mountains. Turn right on 400 east, then left on 100 S take that all the way to the end and park. Or, if your vehicle can make it up a steep dirt road, turn right, go up the hill, and turn left the trail head is here. If your vehicle can’t handle the dirt road, not a big deal but will add about .2 miles to the hike. (if you notice the thin trail, otherwise a bit more to follow the road) Start climbing the dirt rd, a little ways up you will see a small fenced turnout for some utility. Climb up into the foothills and you should eventually see a trail that will take you directly to the trail head. Again, if you miss it, following the dirt road isn’t a big deal.

This time we kind of just went for it on the dirt road. We probably shouldn’t have, but my little ford did make it to the trailhead parking without any issues. Your own experience may vary so, you know, do so at your own risk.

View from the trailhead.

The little dirt parking lot. Be aware, this is shared with ATV’s and is next to a popular ATV park.

Trailhead sign. Oh, they have added a loose soil warning.

Right at the beginning of the trail there is this section over a landslide. It has definitely gotten more wide and set back then it was when we last did this trail. I think this is what they are warning you about with the loose soil.

The trail starts kind of high up on a steep slope. This first section makes me a little nervous but it is short, and honestly the worst of it.

Neat old rock.

Looking up the canyon.

Some of the old pipeline.

Before long the trail reaches the canyon bottom. From here on you will be following the creek for the most part.

It’s really gushing.

One of the many small waterfalls.

Bridge number 1.

It offers a nice view of the creek.

Giant boulder.

Bridge number 2.

Shortly after bridge 2 you will reach the 2nd worst part of the climb which is a short boulder scramble. It’s not too bad though.

Tree’s growing out of solid rock. I see it all the time, but it never ceases to amaze me.

First glimpse of the 1st waterfall.

And then it is hidden from the main trail. There is a short steep scramble to get down to view it better.

It’s going pretty good. This waterfall is probably only about 15 feet or so, but it is really pretty. This is just under a half mile.

Top of the waterfall.

Little bit more boulder scrambling.

Bridge number 3.

The creek again. I really love trails that follow a creek.

Oh this is new. Looks like in 2016 an eagle scout came in and added half mile markers. Thanks Weston! Even with the advent of pedometer apps in our smart phones, I do appreciate trails that have mile posts.

Lovely trail next to the creek.

Cliffs above.

Twin springs (as I have dubbed them). Some of several springs you will cross.

Getting into the thick forest.

Some cascades.

Got a nice view down canyon.

Someone has planted a flag on that peak. From what I can find, this can be reached via Zig Zag Hill.

Bridge number 4. Nice little waterfall here.

The creek splitting around a tree. There is also a decent primitive camp spot here.

Bridge number 5.

The top of a steeper switchback.

Starting to reach some pines.

1 mile! Whew!

Another thing I love about the trail is some of the muddy spots caused by springs someone has added stepping stones to make it across. We hit a lot more muddy spots this time that did not have that, but that is likely due to early season runoff.

Patch of snow.

We have reached the swing! This is about 1.2 miles up. It looks like it has been redone with a chain and a pipe instead of a rope and a board like it was a few years ago.

Another small cascade.

Bridge number 6.

At this bridge there is another spring that has been fitted with a pipe so you can refill your water if you need to. It’s probably fine, but I would treat it before drinking it myself.

And just above that you will find another rock cliff with a little alcove.

And bridge number 7.

The little alcove offers a bench and a small fire pit.

View of the creek from bridge 7. I am seeing a little bit of snow up there.

Looking back at the alcove.

The cliff face the alcove is in.

More foresty.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. I really like seeing the random trailside Christmas trees, in December. It’s now March, so at this point whoever did it is just littering.

One of the couple random primitive campsites along the trail. This one is probably the best. Creekside, well built and sturdy fire pit, plenty of seating, and not too far from the rope swing.

Starting to see more snow.

Oi. A lot more snow.

But I do love me some forest.

There were some really muddy sections too. Luckily someone has dug out some steps on this steep hill. I’m pretty sure that is new as well.

Bridge number 8.

Little side creek. Easy enough to cross.

Wewt, getting closer.

We probably should have just turned around at this point. We hadn’t planned on snow, so weren’t really prepared for it. My fault. I should have known better. But, we had come all this way so we pressed on.

More forest.

Bridge number 9. I’m surprised we didn’t turn around here as we struggled to cross it, and one of us almost fell into the creek. But, we’re so close, so onward!

The creek again.

Snowy hillside.

Bridge number 10. I seriously considered turning back at this point as it would be a long trek back if either of us fell in.. but we decided to press on.

Oh boy, definitely a lot more snow.

Well, we hit the 2 mile mark. so first, take a look at how deeply buried that is. So far the snow was hard enough we have been able to hike on top of it without punching through. 2nd. Last time we did this my pedometer app (not as good as my current one) put the 2nd waterfall at less than 2 miles. I was starting to wonder if my memory had failed me.

A little family tree. It’s kind of funny, I never noticed these locally until we did The Redwoods, now I find them quite often.

Small little waterfall. I knew that this was just below the upper waterfall.

Lots and lots of snow.

Nice little winter view.

More snow.

Well, I was really hoping to avoid it, but at some point we both had punched through the snow at least once, practically waste deep. This is starting to become more miserable than enjoyable.

I hate to have come so far, and get so close, but I was just done trudging through the mud and snow. And the next section just didn’t feel safe. I know we were super close, but it was time to throw the hat in. I love this trail, but I certainly do not recommend it too early in the season. We decided to head back. I am actually pretty glad we didn’t push it as we ended up hiking a little bit in the dark as it was. We made it to about 2.3 miles I know the waterfall was close so I am going to say it is about 2.5 miles up.

The waterfall from our May 2013 hike.

Back to the nice winter shot.

Wide part of the creek.

Starting to hit some dry spots again.

Really big pine!

The creek again.

The forest.

Beginning of the sunset. Ruh-roh… we are still way up there. Better start double timing.

The creek.

Back down to the rope swing.

I decided to give it a whirl since it seemed quite a bit more sturdy than it was last time. It was kind of fun.

Looks like it might have been a beautiful sunset.

Cliffs above. About here we passed a small family making their way up. They asked how much further the swing was, we told them they were close. But man, even if they only spend a few minutes on it, they are definitely hiking down in the dark!

This bridge heads up towards the north fork, and/or another trail altogether. Not included in the bridge count I did.

End of the sunset.

Starting to get dark, but I like to play with nighttime photography.

Well, I hated having to do that last segment in the dark (I have emergency headlamps but opted to keep my night vision instead), but we made it okay, and I was rewarded with this amazing view of the valley.

I love this trail, I still think it is one of my local favorites as it follows the creek and is not very busy and there are just a lot of great sights and sounds. I would definitely recommend waiting a few months for the snow to melt as the trail follows some steep slopes and it made us a bit nervous. Not to mention some slick bridges. Even with that, I enjoyed our adventure today. Going with 9 out of 10 squirrels.

As for difficulty, there are some steep spots, some boulder scrambling, and some muddy sections, not to mention that landslide is getting worse, so going with a DR4.

Dogs are allowed! Please clean up after your furry friend!