Reavis loop, Thanksgiving weekend

[azdesertfather]

OK, somebody has to put together a trip thru Reavis country when the apples are ripe and the weather is oh, so perfect! I'm interested in trying the "Reavis Ranch Loop", which isn't published as a hike on HAZ (yet!) but would be a good one to post after this trip, as it includes so much and is a loop that doesn't require a shuttle. The idea comes from Hiker's Guide to the Superstition Wilderness (Carlson & Stewart), which I just finished reading this weekend. It is listed there as Trip #48 (pages 276-82).

This is a 22.9 mile hike, that I would like to try in two full days with one overnight at Reavis Ranch. It starts at Woodbury Trailhead and follows JF Trail (106) to Tortilla Pass, then on Rogers Canyon Trail (110), Frog Tanks Trail (112), and Reavis Ranch Trail (109) to Reavis Ranch, for 13.1 miles on day 1. Then on day 2, return on Reavis Ranch Trail (109) to Rogers Trough Trailhead and follow 4WD FS172A, Woodbury Trail (114), and JF Trail (106) back to Woodbury TH, just 9.8 miles that second day.

This would include going past Woodbury Cabin, through the Angel Basin area and the ponderosa pine/alligator juniper forest, Hole Spring, Fish Creek, possibly Plow Paddle Springs, and then to the ranch and the orchards. On day 2 we'd see Circlestone, Reavis Saddle and Reavis Grave, and the Rogers Canyon cliff dwellings. I'd like to get in Reavis Falls, but I'm afraid that would be a bit much, adding another 8-9 miles on...we would need to make it a 3-day deal then! :wlift:

I'm looking at Thanksgiving weekend, maybe Sat-Sun, Nov 29-30. But I'm certainly open to suggestions, with that being a holiday weekend there is more flexibility with schedules after Thursday is over and all the maniacs are blitzing the malls and shopping centers. : rein : Also open to itinerary suggestions.

Am posting now, so lots can jump on board and we can make this a great backpacking trip. Looking forward to hanging out with some of you again that I've already met...some great people on this site!!

[rally_toad]

Hmm Im interested, but I dont know about getting that saturday off work, sometimes it can be a pain to get any days the weekend after thanksgiving off. I for sure couldnt get that friday off, but maybe I could work it out so I have the saturday and sunday off. If it ends up being three days Im probably out, because of work on that friday, and school on monday.

[joebartels]

I think the apples will be gone by Thanksgiving
Nevertheless an excellent hike! Wish I could go

[azdesertfather]

I think the apples will be gone by Thanksgiving
Nevertheless an excellent hike! Wish I could go

yeah, unfortunately you may be right...although hopefully there will be a little something left by month's end!!

[te_wa]

- 0ver 7000 apple varieties exist in the world, with 75% of the edible apples grown in China. Turkey and Iran, Argentina also grow massive amounts of apples.
- 2,500 varieties of apples are grown in the United States, 100 of which are grown commercially.
- 61 percent of United States apples are eaten as fresh fruit.
- The average American eats about 65 fresh apples per year.
- 25 percent of an apple's volume is air, which is why they can float. (this explains why the blonde ones and the red ones float better than brown ones)
- On average, one harvested apple tree can fill 20 boxes that weigh 42 pounds each.
- Apples are fat, sodium and cholesterol free.
- A medium apple is about 80 calories.
- One apple has five grams of fiber.
- Apples ripen six to 10 times faster at room temperature than if they were refrigerated.
- the best time to harvest apples is when healthy, unblemished apples start to fall from the tree. at Reavis, this is mid-september.
- my 7th grade teacher told me that apples can't grow in Arizona. i think he's dead now.

[hikeaz]

- 0ver 7000 apple varieties exist in the world, with 75% of the edible apples grown in China. Turkey and Iran, Argentina also grow massive amounts of apples.
- 2,500 varieties of apples are grown in the United States, 100 of which are grown commercially.
- 61 percent of United States apples are eaten as fresh fruit.
- The average American eats about 65 fresh apples per year.
- 25 percent of an apple's volume is air, which is why they can float. (this explains why the blonde ones and the red ones float better than brown ones)
- On average, one harvested apple tree can fill 20 boxes that weigh 42 pounds each.
- Apples are fat, sodium and cholesterol free.
- A medium apple is about 80 calories.
- One apple has five grams of fiber.
- Apples ripen six to 10 times faster at room temperature than if they were refrigerated.
- the best time to harvest apples is when healthy, unblemished apples start to fall from the tree. at Reavis, this is mid-september.
- my 7th grade teacher told me that apples can't grow in Arizona. i think he's dead now

Undoubtedly because he failed to eat APPLES.........

[JimmyLyding]

One time my dog at an entire 10-pound bag of apples. Not recommended.

[SuperstitionGuy]

When you backpack into Reavis take about a three foot pvc pipe (gray or black prefered) and insert it up into the spring so you can get good flow and clean water. If you have time, drill a number of small holes in the side of the end that you plan on inserting into the spring to increase the flow into and out of the pipe. Place some rocks and mud around the pipe where it extrudes out, to back up the water that is flowing through the mud, this will also increase the flow. This will provide a faster, cleaner and higher source of water from the spring that all can enjoy.

[wallyfrack]

Ok, I'm thinking on this one. The first day will be a tough one. I've backpacked up Frog Tanks and up Tortilla Pass but not both together.
That's at least 1,700 feet of fun.

[nonot]

Doing your planned first day in the other direction going downhill ran late into the night for some, you might want to reverse your route unless you camp at the trailhead the night before, those are a long 13 miles with the hellish overgrowth north of tortilla pass and two major climbs. Otherwise you really wouldn't have time to enjoy any of the apples.

[azdesertfather]

For those of you who are interested in this hike, does Thanksgiving weekend work better? I also have Nov. 8-9 (or Nov. 7-9) open...

[rally_toad]

For me thanksgiving weekend would work best... if either of those work at all. I am camping with some friends on the 8 and 9. I wont be able to commit for a week or tow because I just wont know for a while if I'll be able to get that saturday off.

[azdesertfather]

I'm thinking so too. In fact, this afternoon I just committed to being up on Navajoland for that weekend of the 8th-9th.

I hate to be competing with Stiller with an event on the same day, but hopefully we'll both get enough to make it worthwhile?

Please, others chime in with your suggestions on the hike...the route isn't set in stone. Thoughts?

[rally_toad]

It looks as though I wont be able to make it for this one. Scheduled to work that saturday at 5pm despite my pleas. I might still try for a quick overnight that friday night in the western supes.

[azdesertfather]

I think at this point I'm going to forego this backpacking weekend over Thanksgiving. Kind of late for Reavis Ranch, and many have done this hike already anyway. I'm up for pulling some of us together for a full day hike on Friday or Saturday though, if we can figure something out? Any thoughts?

[rally_toad]

I'd be up for a hike Saturday before 5:00 pm as thats when I have to be at work, or Friday after 2:30.

[DarthStiller]

Come on over for the Sister Load hike...

[azdesertfather]

hey stiller, that sounds like a plan...