After we finished Alyson's and Josh's engagement shoot, Kevin and I decided to explore the area a bit further - no need to head straight home when you have the remainder of a beautiful day left!
We had been told about a beautiful creek in Strawberry that we just had to see for ourselves. Word was that it was off the beaten path (no exaggeration there) and it's waters ran a spectacular travertine blue-green color.
Heading north on Hwy. 89, we turned onto Fossil Creek Road (original.) From there pavement quickly gave way to dirt, and the perceived security, if only in our minds, of terra firma surrounding us on all sides just as quickly gave way to ominous switchbacks barely wide enough to ride a mule on, through a canyon known as Deadman Mesa (there's a comforting name) snaking their way down the side of a shear cliff face that plunged way too far to the bottom, reminding us to tell ourselves, just keep looking forward and you will be OK ... just keep looking forward and you will be OK ...
As we neared the bottom we began to glimpse the rewards of our bravery. OK, maybe that is a bit melodramatic, but we did spot dapples of blue-green waterfalls running beneath the thick canopy of trees that shelter them. At the bottom there is no one clear path to the creek, basically pick a spot and head towards the noise of flowing water. The creek really is spectacular and its waters really are a bright travertine blue. It channels its way through myriad falls and is well worth the difficulties in navigating it (there is no clear path along the creek either) and the treacherous drive to reach it. We definitely plan on going back soon to explore Fossil Creek in more depth!