El Rio Agua Fria
The Agua Fria (Cold Water) River carves a canyon through central Arizona, in a region I call "Mesa Country". The area is a zone of transition from the low Sonoran Desert to the high Colorado Plateau. The river has a moderate discharge that peaks in the desert’s brief winter and again during the summer monsoon. Warm spring days when the river flow is low are the perfect time to go exploring on the Agua Fria.
Canyon walls carved into "Mesa Country" by the Agua Fria River.
Here, the river has cleaned "desert varnish" from granite boulders that are usually stained brown (see background at center).
Late January sun and blue skies play on the Agua Fria River.
The Agua Fria River creates a ribbon of oasis hiding in a canyon.
"Arizona seaweed" clings to boulders in the Agua Fria River.
Rivulets in the Agua Fria's sandy bed.
The river hides out for a stretch amid a jumble of boulders.
In keeping with the river's name, the water is pleasantly cool on a hot day.
Bluish granite washed clean of "desert varnish" at a bend in the river.
A Jeep trail leading to the edge of the canyon.
In evening, the color of the river seemingly drains the heat of the day from the canyon.
