Got my tickets, need some new hikes

big_load · Post by **big_load** » Oct 05 2005 9:10 pm

After months of postponements, my next AZ trip is booked. I'll be here 11/11 - 11/27. Mrs. big_load will join me for the second week.

I'm looking to do a combination of backpacks and day hikes. I've had my eye on Blue Range (and I don't mind cold), but would wait for spring if there's much chance of deep snow. I've also been thinking about the Chiricahuas. I'll probably end up doing some Superstitions, too.

Any suggestions?

justind145 · Post by **justind145** » Oct 05 2005 9:48 pm

West Clear Creek can be good if you're looking for a challenge. Its near Camp Verde.

RedRoxx44 · Post by **RedRoxx44** » Oct 06 2005 4:33 am

Most of the Sky islands will possibly have some snow on top. The Chiricahuas have some lower TH's, you could hike up as far as you could till snow, then back. Some pretty hikes are South Fork of Cave Creek, and Rucker Canyon. You could combine that with the short but historical and interesting hike to Ft Bowie, and go in the monument, slightly lower elevation. I bet the rock Hoodoos would be great with snow.
You could either car camp it or stage out of Willcox, several hotels there.

For a more remote adventure, the nearby Galiuros can't be beat, but require planning, a HC vehicle at least, and good maps.
Lower elevation so probably not a problem for snow unless the trail traverses the higher ridges.

The Supes would be good also, lots to do there and lots of information on here regarding treks there---I haven't hiked there a lot but like Haunted Canyon and Tony cabin.

big_load · Post by **big_load** » Oct 06 2005 12:03 pm

In response to RedRoxx44's reply:

Thanks, RedRoxx, you're on the right track. The Galiuros are very tempting, but I'll only have a rental car. Without HC, are some good THs there reachable by walking some extra miles on the road (and a suitable spot to leave the car)?

RedRoxx44 · Post by **RedRoxx44** » Oct 06 2005 6:57 pm

Try to get a rental with at least front wheel drive. You might be able to make the Deer Creek TH out of Klondyke. MIGHT.
From that TH you can access Kennedy Peak, Powers Garden, probably need an overnight unless you are a super fast hiker and good route finder. Normally no water on this route unless at the Powers Garden Spring or in Corral Canyon, usually a couple of pools in Horse/ a spring in Rattlesnake near the confluence with Kielberg Canyon.

The other is the Ash Creek/East Divide. Once you go past the fence, find a spot to park it and walk a couple of miles to the East Divide TH. The road forks early, go right, a narrow track. From East Divide you could bag Bassett Peak as a long day hike--about 14 miles RT if you can't get to TH proper.
On my to do list is to see if off Bassett how difficult to get to Jackson Cabin, if doable will set up a backpack loop for this winter.

Take water in car, sometimes upper Ash Spring is a trickle, and there are no developed TH services in the Galiuros (sometimes it's nice just to find the TH).

Get some good topos, and take a GPS if you have it.

big_load · Post by **big_load** » Oct 06 2005 9:27 pm

In response to RedRoxx44's reply:

Thanks, the Ash Creek sounds more reachable. Three years in a row I've finished a trip and found myself in 6 inches of new snow with 10 miles of dirt road to negotiate. I'm going to be a little more conservative until I have a more appropriate vehicle (or else bring tire chains and snowshoes). And I'm sure Wide World of Maps is already counting my money.

Any more ideas, folks? Keep 'em coming. I'm not going back home until work would seem like a vacation.

justind145 · Post by **justind145** » Oct 07 2005 8:59 am

As for your mapping thing... check out national geographic Topo! Arizona. Its basically every topo on your computer in electronic form and you can print maps to a specified size for a specified area. Also if you have a GPS you can make tracks on the maps and upload the route to your gps, conversely you can download the route after you finish. Amazon.com has a good deal on the software right now.

big_load · Post by **big_load** » Oct 07 2005 10:40 am

In response to justind145's reply:
I might do that someday. I have access to a printer that will do 22" wide by however long I want. A lot of on-line mapping services don't support it, though.

For me, there's nothing like having a great big map. I don't even have to be on the trail to enjoy it. I love plotting and scheming over my horde of paper treasures

.

ajcanable · Post by **ajcanable** » Oct 07 2005 10:53 am

Superstition Ridgeline Group Hike tentatively set for 11-12 on ArizonaHikers.com

Trishness · Post by **Trishness** » Oct 07 2005 6:33 pm

Not sure what type of hikes in Supes you might be looking for in terms of mileage and difficulty but I can make some recommendations in the moderate range for the Western Supes.

Weaver's Needle Loop: 12.2 miles in the heart of the Supes circumnavigating Weavers Needle (starts at Peralta TH and ends there-you can access it by car)

Peralta to Canyon Lake: 18 miles (give or take) would have to be done as a shuttle hike. You get to see everything in the Western Supes on this one. Weavers Needle, Battleship Mtn, LaBarge Canyon, Geronimo's Head......and the list does on and on. Classic desert hiking.

Pueblo Canyon in the Sierra Anchas: I might be doing this as a dayhike with a friend about the same time you are out here so let me know. There are ruins up here and it's mostly off trail.

AJCanable already mentioned the Supes ridgeline.

Hope this helps!

:mrgreen:

big_load · Post by **big_load** » Oct 07 2005 8:54 pm

In response to Trishness' reply:

Thanks Trishness. I'm up for anything but major scrambling or technical climbing. My favorite Supes hike is from Tule TH via Two Bar Ridge and Reavis Saddle to the ranch. I did the Weaver's Needle Loop last year, but Mrs big_load might enjoy that one. The others are good ideas, too.

How is the water this year?

fricknaley · Post by **fricknaley** » Oct 08 2005 8:11 am

if you are in southeastern arizona, i would recommend checking out the Cochise Stronghold in the Dragoon Mountains. It's sort of mid-elevation with awesome rock formations along the way. Easy to reach by car. Check out the description above. It's about 10 miles roundtrip.

Also agree with above, Rucker Canyon is a great hike along the western side of the chiricahuas, and easily reachable by car.[/url]

Trishness · Post by **Trishness** » Oct 08 2005 9:06 am

big_load wrote:In response to Trishness' reply:

How is the water this year?

I'm going to Reavis Ranch next weekend so I'll check it out and get back to you but a friend of mine was there recently and said the water situation is good there.

Guess it's no surprise that there's no water on Weaver's Needle Loop and from Peralta to Canyon Lake....There's usually some water at Second Water Spring but I haven't been out that way all summer so I don't know how much (or how green!!!!)

:mrgreen:

mttgilbert · Post by **mttgilbert** » Oct 09 2005 10:45 am

I was at reavis last weekend and there was plenty of water. We only found a couple of apples, but we found a lot of wild grapes.

big_load · Post by **big_load** » Oct 22 2005 3:29 pm

In response to justind145's reply:

I caved in and took your advice. I really wan'ted to look at the maps before picking a route, and I must say TOPO! seems to do exactly what I wanted. It looks like can print any of the SE ranges in one or two sheets from my 24" roll printer.

Now that I can see more details, the possibilities are mind-boggling, but I hope to make a decision soon.

Shi · Post by **Shi** » Oct 22 2005 10:01 pm

My favorite hike/backpack in the Superstitions is the Campaign (sometimes a 4x4 is required) trailhead, taking the fireline trail into Reavis Ranch. There is reliable water at Reavis. Make this a long loop and take the Reavis Gap trail back to Campaign. The views are spectacular! You can even catch Circle stone on your way from the fireline trail and it is worth the extra mile or two. It's roughly 18-20 miles. Mary

Trishness · Post by **Trishness** » Oct 27 2005 9:32 pm

The water situation at Reavis is very good as of Oct 15-16. Lots of water in the creek but NO apples

Temps are perfect these recent days for hiking! Have a blast on your trip!

:mrgreen:

Got my tickets, need some new hikes

Got my tickets, need some new hikes

Re: Got my tickets, need some new hikes

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