West Fork Oak Creek trip

[jsm335]

Hello!

My wife and I want to do the West Fork trail in a couple weeks. We wanted to hike it end to end, but won't be able to do the shuttle bit. Does anybody know, if we have two nights, which would be better--roundtrip from the bottom, touristy area, or from the top, FR 231? I've never been down from the top at all, but I used to hike up a bit from the bottom. Our hopes are: some adventure, a decent camping spot, a scenic experience on the whole.

Anybody know the conditions up there lately? As well as the conditions of FR 231, should we pick that option? Also, is it strenuous hiking up the trail--i.e., if we choose the FR 231 option, will it be a pain in the ?@# hiking back up on our last day, or just fun?

I'm assuming we should forgo the tent, the backpack, and opt for the dry bag, correct? Any more advice from people who've done the whole trail (or the roundtrip from one end option) would be a big help.

Thanks everyone!

Jeff

[joebartels]

directions to Upper West Fork from 89A http://hikearizona.com/map.php?QX=2876

[cactusrose63]

Thanks Teva Joe!!