Kachina Wilderness Hike Similar to Inner Basin 29?

[BunsbertMontcroff]

HAZ friends - can anyone recommend a hike in the Kachina Wilderness (would like to be near the peaks) similar to the Inner Basin Trail #29 in terms of length, difficulty, and scenery?

I sold my wife and friends on this hike only to discover that while the trail itself is open, FR 552 (the road to the trailhead) is closed. I don't know if we're ready to summit Humphrey's but we can handle a moderate trail for 5 - 10 miles. Was thinking of the Kachina Trail from Snowbowl to Schultz Tank trailhead and back? Or is this one better to do as a shuttle?

In any case, additional suggestions would be appreciated!

[hippiepunkpirate]

The lower sections of the Kachina Trail are nice (meadows and intermixed aspen) but I think the upper 2/3s isn't quite up to par, so I always recommend doing the Kachina from the eastern Freidein Prairie TH off FR 522 (not to be confused with 552 you mentioned earlier). The Abineau Trail is also sweet, and the Abineau Bear Loop is great too (FR 418). You could also consider hiking the Bismark Lake Trail (151 to 627), and then further exploring the meadows and aspen groves around the Arizona Trail in that area. Fern Mountain (near 151, no official TH) makes a great supplement to the easy Bismark Lake hike, along with a few other short sweet meadow hikes through Hart Prairie along 151. You can also do a portion of the Weatherford Trail from Schultz Tank (FR 420) up to wherever you choose (as the trail is about 9 miles long), it has great views as you climb up to Doyle Saddle. I'd say that rounds up the best moderate-ish Peaks hikes.

[tonyp]

Start up Kachina from Freidlein. Go all the way to Snowbowl. Have a burger and beer at the lodge. Hike back.

Kachina is the least abusive of the hikes HPP mentioned. The western third closest to the Snowbowl will also be crowded, but once you're beyond flip-flop range from the SB, you'll have less company. FR522 can be done in a normal car, but you'll wish you had at least high clearance.

Weatherford and Ab/Bear Jaw are also awesome, but an order of magnitude harder - as in steeper.