@xsproutx
Point taken-- and that does actually give me pause for starting from that end. I don't mind the ankle breakers so much, but I don't really feel like bushwhacking for 3-5 miles along a stagnant stream. Maybe I will start from Call of the Canyon afterall

@nonot Thank you-- makes sense. I have been up most of the way before and I know it is not easy and campsites can be limited. Last time I camped there I somehow lucked into finding a tiny sandy beach not far past the no camping boundary. That place was ideal-- it even had two well-spaced trees for ...

@chumley
Got it-- thank you for the additional info! All I need now is an inner tube and/or a hefty bag for some poor-man's waterproofing of my gear and I will be ready to tackle this and enjoy a peaceful night beside Oak Creek. Thanks again!

@nonot
Many thanks! HAZ is the best!

@chumley Thank you! So, to your comment, should I assume that the creek will be a good bit away from where I would be entering the canyon at the sign you mention? I recall starting West Fork from somewhere up on FR231 back in my ASU days but my foggy memory also recalls the creek being right there ...

Hi HAZ, I am wondering if someone can help me with advice on the best place to park/access the "back end" of the West Fork of Oak Creek Canyon. While I do love Trail #108 and the amazing beauty there is to be had there, I am going to be doing a group "camping trip" (Cave Springs)...

@miscbs Hey there, I haven't been checking HAZ much lately and totally forgot I had posted this. I've actually got a capable 4x4 jeep now myself and, while I've been taking a break from the AZT for over a year, I'm definitely ready to pick back up. Of the 25% you've completed, is it mostly in one s...

Hey all, I hope this is the appropriate place to post this. I live in the valley and I am looking for other HAZers who are section hiking the AZT and looking for partners or to share rides. I am less than 10% done with the AZT and I can already tell my wife and kids are tiring of shuttling me to &qu...

@Tough_Boots Thank you-- I am planning to bring one or the other. If I am going light, I may opt for the drops/tabs just as a precaution. I will probably opt to bring the Grayl purifier at this point though since I just upgraded my pack last night to a 60L internal frame (after many years without a...

@DixieFlyer Thanks, Dixie-- that is sort of what I had figured as well. I think I am just being overly cautious because I am taking my 8-year old daughter with me. I have no concerns about her being able to do the hike (and I am by no means the ultralight backpacker type) but am also obsessing a bi...

Hi HAZ Community-- My daughter and I are going to be doing a 3-day backpacking trip from the South Rim of GCNP this October (down South Kaibab on Day 1 and up Bright Angel Days 2 & 3) and was wondering if anyone can help provide some general advice from your wealth of experience. I recently boug...

I don't know if I agree with this. I don't really want people blowing that vapor nonsense in my face while hiking in our national park system but, what are the odds of that ever happening? Certain people are going to attempt to smoke one way or the other and, if the method by which they are permitte...

I didn't read everyone else's comments so if this has already been noted (as it seems pretty obvious to me) forgive the redundancy. It seems to me that renaming (which I thought took place a couple years ago) this mountain has long been the mission of the those who believe that 'squaw' is an offensi...

I also took the Outdoor Survival class offered by ASU and can honestly say that I got far more valuable knowledge out of this class than I did in any other during my 4+ years earning a degree there. The prof was (and I imagine still is) a guy named Kozac (this was an abbreviation of his last name, s...

I just learned about geocaching recently. It seemed intriguing at first but then the more I read about it the more it seemed kinda childish to me. It looks like something that spang from the log books often found at trail-heads that could potentially strengthen the hiking community but has turned in...