In response to joe bartels' reply: I've never tried it either, the pucker factor is to great.

I live on the mountain and find that the section between Hondah and Sunrise to be the worst section of 260 for elk (mainly summer). During the winter when they move down the mountain they can be found on 60 between Show Low and Springerville (not fun on snow and ice). Highway 191 between Nutrioso an...

In response to AZ_Hiker's reply: In the Apache forest along the Black river I have seen the most black bears, enough to make you nervous, but did not appear to be aggressive, seemed mostly interested in my fishing scraps. In the strayhorse and bearwallow areas you'll find the largest specimens, but...

I sometimes carry a S&W .44mag Mountain Gun 4" barrel (45 ounces). Normally the muzzle flash and noise is enough.

If you need to carry a weapon, try a tactical holster w/velco belt, rides low on the thigh and allows for fastening waist belt.

I sometimes carry a wood stove and like camp fires at night(not the past two summers), my choice is the folding saw. I do carry an axe though, ice axe. Got in the habit while hiking in Canada in place of poles, handy tool, makes a good third leg and in a pinch will chop wood.