HikeArizona.COM

Hello folks.

My name is John and I live in Tucson. Nealz first told me about this site over a year ago. I have been visiting the Trail Index on occasion to get some information. I wanted to say that there is indeed a lot of stuff here and more than once the info has been helpful.

What I was wondering is whether any one here has been to the Santa Teresa Wilderness over by Klondike? I am going to do a road trip for the next few days to scope out some different areas.

Thanks for any information.

John

I did the Holdout Trail at the end of January. The scenery is awesome,
you are surrounded by 300 foot spires and domes made of a pinkish
honey colored granite, amid pines, manzanita and giant alligator juniper.
There was a little snow on the ground with mountain lion tracks, and lots
of bear scat - no footprints, we had the wilderness to ourselves.
There was just a trickle of water, but it was easy to find pools to filter.
We bushwacked up a gully toward Pinnnacle Ridge, until the scrambling
got too scary.The topo showed a trail, but we soon lost it.
Camped near Holdout Spire, which you can't miss. It was bitterly cold
at night - no fires in the wilderness - but plenty warm during the day.
Next day we followed the Holdout Trail to near the intersection with
the Black Rock trail - actually there's hardly any trail at this point, but
saw some cairns, and you can't get too lost as it's a valley.
The drive in didn't seem to match the book or the topo, but I have a
GPS track and waypoints I could email if that's useful. The road goes
first to a farm with a corral full of tires, then along a wash and
up a ridgeline with steep falloffs. At about 6.5 miles there's a short
loose ramp that looked impossible without 4wd, then a gate, then an
unsigned right fork. We parked just before the road headed downhill
(6.75 miles), because the next 0.5 mile to Reef Tank looks serious 4wd.
From Reef Tank it's 3.0 miles to Holdout Spire (watch out for lethal
sharp spikes where someone sawed manzanitas beside the trail)
I think you would go the same way for the Black Rock trail, as it's
closed at the east end (but we saw footprints coming the other
way). There's another trailhead off Klondike Road that goes in
from the south to Cottonwood Mountain - it looked an interesting
area from the road. It's a pity the drive is so long, as this is an
outstandingly beautiful area with lots of places to explore.

DD! Good to see you here amigo.

I'm afraid I don't have any Santa Teresa info but I'd wager somebody here does.

By way of introduction to the other folks here, DD is in the process of hiking the entire Arizona Trail from the Mexico border. He is also one of the most eloquent and articulate writers of the wonders of outdoor Arizona that I've ever read. Welcome.

-Nealz

Climbed Cottonwood mountain, the high point in this range at 7400 feet using the Cottonwood Mtn. trail and cross country to the summit. Good views of Pinalenos and Mt. Turnbull. Not a long or difficult hike.

Thanks for the information about the Santa Teresa Wilderness. My plan is to come in from the south. It less of a drive from Tucson to come up from Wilcox and get on the Bonita-Klondyke road. This trip will only be a scouting expedition just to see how the road is and to time it. Camp will be either a little way in on a trail or where ever the road ends.

I do have a 4x4 (96 Dakota) so there shouldn't be any problems getting close. (Don't worry, I only drive on roads and will not be doing Off-Highway.

Thanks to nealz for the intro. At some point I will try to posts some trail reports and fill in some ofthe areas not written up.

dd

Oh, if anyone is interested, here is a link to where I have a report on part of the AzTrail. This is indicative of the style I write with.

( dead link removed )

Wow, I didn't expect to learn so much from a 'New member/info needed' thread!

I love this site!

Great read on the link Desert Dweller.

&

'pinkish honey colored granite'... azrocks has been holding out on us!

Hi I am delighted to find haz. I recently made my third trip to Sedona, this being the first time I did any hiking, but I think I am hooked! I hunger for any info or encouragement anyone may be able to supply me with. I am at best a novice hiker (tho I can walk and watch the cairns go by fairly well) but to say the least the red rocks leave me awestruck and I can't wait to get out there again real soon. I am committing myself to daily walking and taking what opportunities I have here is Wisconsin to condition myself to be alittle more prepared next time I can get to Az Any guidance from you guys will be appreciated.

hikinggramma,

You are starting out doing the right thing with taking day-hikes on a regular basis. However, being in shape is one thing and being acclimated to the place where you want to do some more serious hiking is another. One important thing to do is to start a "water drinking" regiment. Work your way up to drinking a gallon day by time you head out to the desert again. Plain water is best. Sodas, "formulated" waters and flavored drinks are not as good.

Before your hikes try some stretching for about ten minutes. Unless you are backpacking and carry 30 to 50 pounds, focus on stretching just your thighs, calves and the achiles tendon.

Study some maps of Arizona and pick out some interesting spots to explore. Then come here to HAZ and post some requests for information. There is a lot of information here.

Welcome to the site and I hope your treks will take you to the most interesting places.

desert dweller

Awesome site! Wanna go everywhere! Been hiking Az. since'75,but haven't seennearly enough.I always go to West Fork towards the end of Oct. for the colors-have off on Mon., so I avoid the crowds.Ive hiked lots in Sedona, Prescott, The Matzatzls,Payson,but there are sooooo many cool canyons+places to see!! I'in pretty good shape, except for a ski knee(acl) which acts up on steep downhills now+again,but no sniveling allowed! :p I hike lots in the Superstitions,but don't think the knee would take the Flat Iron or Ridgeline as kindly as it once did! Love to hook up sometime!!