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Over the last 16 yrs. hiking in Az. I've come across a few spots where I seldom see other people or even see evidence(litter,cartridge casings,etc.) of use by others.Most of these are not too far from Phx. They are small areas that could not stand too much traffic without losing much of the qualities that make them so dear to me. For this reason I seldom tell others about them. My question to you all is am I just being selfish? Do some of you have little favorite spots you largely keep to yourself?? Thanks.
Randy in Phx.

Yeah I'm sure we all do.

What amazes me are some of the e-mails I receive. Like I'm gonna start giving away all my favorite un-mentioned spots. Especially to somebody I don't know!

Am I crazy? (Here's your chance )

I've gotta agree with Joe. I remember a little diner in Lawrence, Kansas years ago called the Red Lion. The curtains were always drawn and there was no sign to say if it were open or closed. There was no sign on it at all, just a 2 foot ceramic lion that had been painted red and placed on the windowledge. A retired navy cook ran the whole thing by himself and he was quite a character but you could get a big plate of home cooking with a drink for about $2. There was a sign on the inside of the door that read, "Please do not tell anybody about this place. The seat they take could be yours."

I don't think you're being selfish Randy. Should you share these places? Yeah. With the whole world? No. You have probably learned of these spots through your own hard work and/or adventurous nature, or been shown them by people who trust, like, and care about you. You can do the same. Share them at your discretion with those you care about and trust.

I used to have secret spots, but most of them have been discovered now. It's sad to go somewhere you use to consider almost your own and find out that its been invaded, like with litter and such. Oh, I'm sorry, that's another thread and subject.

Oh so many years ago , can't remember when , I first went to Fossil Springs. I could go on Sat, Sun or any other day and was totally alone, never saw a soul. Then it was like there had been an ad in the paper advertising this as the most awesome spot in the state. I still go as it is a perfect place to take my children but I don't go for solitude anymore. I guess everyone is looking for the same thing!

Yeah, I have several spots. It is good to keep them to yourself. Solitude is the name of the game. And I agree with Cindy. Fossil Sprigs used to be a weekend getaway with little or no people around you. Now it's a college hangout :verymad:

One of the concepts that I have believed in for years is one of "sacred" spots. Some place where, for you, it is very special - for whatever reason. I have a number of places that I consider sacred - in any sense of the word. Some of them are secret places, some are frequented by others, but that hasn't reduced their importance to me.

I have found that for some of the spots - thier meaning to me personally has increased if I can share them with others, and hopefully share with them the same feelings I have over the place. But then there are others that I have not shared - for very personal reasons.

I don't think there is anything wrong with not sharing a "secret" spot - especially if it is special to you because of it's seclusion.

But then again - sharing a secret or sacred spot with someone else can also be very rewarding.

You guys better watch out!! I am new to the area and definatly in need of a few secret spots in which to get away from the city from time to time. So I will be searching for one every chance I can get. I hope some of you guys and girls are willing to share.

This is an interesting thread...as I've been spending the past few weeks back in the midwest, I'm reminded of a secret spot I used to frequent...anyone familiar with Northern Illinois/Southern Wisconsin will know Kettle Morraine...tremendous mountain biking area...gets more daily riders than most other places in the country....anyway, on this very well known and public land there are several loop trails, the longest being about 10 miles...along this trail is a hidden valley...most people miss it as the trail passing nearby is a steep, technical descent, but for those who stop, it is well worth it. Very serene, quite, usually populated with deer, when it's humid, a mist can be seen over the reeds. It's just one of those places that cause you to pause.

CK1 - I'm from Wisconsin and biked just about all those bike trails. I loved that area, I was up there almost every weekend. I can't pinpoint the place you are talking about, but I have a few places of my own like that on those trails. My favorite Wisconsin secret places were all around LaCrosse. If it weren't for the snow and cold I'd be living in lacrosse today.

My favaorite AZ secret place only gets shared with close personal friends. Since it's about a 30 minute drive from the East Valley it could easily be ruined if word got out.

Here's one for the cooler months, and, its probably even doable as a day hike if you get going early enough. Take Beeline Highway (SR 87) towards Payson, and get off on the turnoff to Sycamore Creek. This is the access to the old road and the 4x4 road to Mt. Peeley. Right off the pavement, take the south fork to the Mormon Grove Trailhead. Its very steep, 4x4 not required, my Nissan 2wd does fine. From Mormon Grove TH take the trail to Potato Patch and then north toward Mt. Peeley along the east side of Sheep Mtn. as i recall. There is a junction with a trail leading to Squaw Flats. This is where it starts getting very neat. The trail drops into a canyon which is a cold air drainage. Squaw Flats is a great spot to camp, with water in season and one of the biggest oaks I've ever seen in AZ. There is a signed junction here. One trail heads west to Copper Ridge (?? Copper something...) and the other route turns north to Round Spring. From Squaw Flat this trail climbs about 150 feet to a ridge and drops dramatically down to a canyon on the other side. This canyon is also a cold air drainage with knarley trees, big grey boulders and Hobbits. No fooling...maybe elves too....After about 3/4 of a mile or so, you leave the real magic, walk along a barbed wire fence, reenter the sonoran zone and saguaros and run into a large field stone water tank, Round Spring. This was probably built for the sheep herders. My best guess is that this is about 6 miles from the TH and 2.5 beyond Squaw Flats. Use the Forest Wilderness Area map to route this. The old USGS quads don't have any of the trails marked, and have others no longer there, which makes it a challenge to follow the above. Sorry about the vagueness and lack of trail numbers, but I'm writing this at work with no maps available. Don't drop down into Hobbit land from the ridge beyond Squaw Flats unless you feel up to the return climb. You can easily see the drop from the top. Say Hi to the Hobbits. -Randy

I think I might give that one a try :idea: