I have two slightly water-damaged copies of my guidebook (Five Star Trails in Flagstaff and Sedona) which in in perfectly useable condition, but which I can't honestly sell. So I will give them away, signed of course, to any HAZ member on the solemn promise to review the book on HAZ and on Amazon . ...

If anyone is interested, I will be doing a hiking presentations and workshop (which is likely a bit remedial to members of this group) at the Paradise Valley REI this wednesday (9/14). More to the point, I will have (autographed) copies of the new book for sale. http://www.rei.com/event/28991/sessio...

Done! I have my author's copies, so it should be in stores by the end of the month. It would be remedial for many of you, but it has maps and pictures and directions to trailheads and such. You can order it online now, if'n you're inclined. 5 Star Trails: Flagstaff and Sedona by Tony Padegimas This ...

Start up Kachina from Freidlein. Go all the way to Snowbowl. Have a burger and beer at the lodge. Hike back. Kachina is the least abusive of the hikes HPP mentioned. The western third closest to the Snowbowl will also be crowded, but once you're beyond flip-flop range from the SB, you'll have less c...

The traditional pack route was actually northwards up the ridge to the west of Sycamore Canyon, then east across the prairies - much of that route we now call AZ89. You can take trails all the way up Sycamore Canyon, and then the Overland Trail across the top of the canyon, then northeast across Gov...

To be clear, the Heart Trail does, in fact, march right up the slope to connect with the Sunset Trail (which is totally worth the climb).

I would definitely inquire about how much is open around Schultz Tank. That area was in the heart of the fire.

While researching the hiking guide, I've found the three mile rule to be pretty reliable. Of course, the most popular trails in Sedona are shorter than that, and weekdays offer no solace. Woopies drive the RV up and stay the week. But if you keep hoofing a bit, you'll find some solitude. I'll take h...

Locket Meadow and the Inner basin are closed until at least September 15, along with the actual area of the fire. Most of the trails around them, including the Weatherford, are now open.

The views from Pine Mountain are spectacular, but the only reliable water is less than a mile from the TH.

If you're looking at the Cabin Loops, you should also look at the AZT from the Rim north to Blue Ridge Reservoir.

But if you're ever going to pack the White Mountains, now is the time.

There's a couple of sections of the General crook trail you could do. The Crook parallels the Highline, but on top of the Rim.
Also, you could do the AZT from Blue Ridge Reservoir down to the Rim. (Or vice-versa).
But they're right - Pine TH - though it allows camping - is mostly a hub for dayhikes.

Update: Hikes DONE so far: Airport Loop Brin's Mesa/ Soldier Pass Bell Trail (including Weir) Woods Canyon Trail (first serious blister; first time returning to the TH after dark) Lime Kiln Trail (15 mile car shuttle between Dead Horse Ranch and Red Rock SP's) Verde River Greenbelt "trail"...

The closures are for camping within the canyon. The whole trail remains open for day-hiking (and you could camp on any of the mesas surrounding the canyon - if you wanted to). The TH is really busy all day, and this seems to discourage break-ins. I wouldn't leave a mountain bike on a car rack, though.

Thanks guys. I'm planning on slotting a whole day and doing both of the Wilson Mtn routes. I'll let you know. I'll look into Munds Mtn. As I recall the main attraction to Long Canyon was its' proximity to Boynton. I may reconsider. Anyway, thanks again. I gotta get. Brin Mesa and Soldier Pass and Ca...

Because I am a slow learner,I have signed up to do another hiking guide for Menasha Ridge Press, this time covering Sedona and Flagstaff. (A couple of years ago I did one on the Tonto National Forest and the HAZsters were extremely helpful!) The rough itinerary is May/June : Sedona (except for Oak C...

There are several routes into Reavis - some are easier than others. Let me open my book here... Oak Flat from the Miles TH is stupid easy following Pinto Trail (which follows Pinto Creek) into a wide meadow where a few streams and numerous trails converge. Also, Angel Basin from Rogers Trough TH is ...

FR 68G - which splits off from Dugas Road to go towards the Verde Hot Springs is definitely 4WD.

Alas, my children have scheduled themselves a sleepover at my house, and I just can't leave my wife alone with that in good conscience.
Tony

I'm kinda hoping there's more than one pair of trees...
Tony

On the bottom end of the spectrum, the Byer mosquito hammock works well for the money, though it doesn't come with any rigging, and you'd have to work pretty hard to insulate it for cold weather. The zipper on the netting fails first, but you have 5-10 hard expeditions before that happens. I have th...

But bad beer is better than no beer - right? I once selflessly consumed a couple of Bud Lites I found down in Fossil Creek. I didn't want to haul the cans out full, and I didn't want to further the pollution by dumping them into the dirt. I can honestly report they were the best beers I drank - that...