Has anyone hiked here? It looks like my office might be taking a group hike here next weekend and I'm trying to find out more information. How many miles of trails? Level of difficulty, etc.

I'm still trying to get used to the heat in Phoenix, too. The places I've been going are about 2 hour drives. I don't know if that's too far for you or not. Payson is an incredible area - lots of forests and creeks. I went to Prescott for the first time Saturday and it was very nice, too. Next weeke...

I have been in contact with the Payson Ranger District. They said there would either be a dumpster or trash cans at the site to dispose of the trash. If there's any overflow (hopefully there won't be) we can bring it to them. I also asked about the forest closures - they DO NOT apply to Tonto Narrows.

Just wanted to let everyone know that the Payson Basha's is going to help us out at Tonto Narrows! They are going to give us a gift certificate that we can use to buy water, trash bags, etc. Also, if you are going join us, please be sure to let us know by signing up on the home page. There's more in...

Nessa: You are not a wimp! You hike Camelback! I'm still afraid to tackle it, but I will soon. Maybe I could meet you some morning and you could show me the ropes? Or at least a good spot to sit and rest. :sweat: I think I am the world's slowest hiker on uphills. (This will change! I will get strong...

Campout, barbeques - that sounds like a heap of fun! I know most areas get their heaviest use at holiday weekends. What if we tried for a group cleanup at each holiday weekend or the weekend following?

OK - this is now officially listed as a group hike on the home page. I'm going to do a little legwork to find out what we're going to do with 20 bags of trash when we're done with it. I'm sure no one is keen on loading in the back of their cars and smelling it all the way back to Phoenix. I need som...

I'm happy to play cruise director, but I need a little bit of help. I don't know anything about the east side of town. Is 87th @ Shea a good meeting place? Where? Which corner, parking lot, etc? Also, if we leave at 10:00 a.m., will we have enough time to do a decent clean-up job, or do we need to l...

I'm thoroughly confused on the advice I've been seeing here. I grew up in the swampy regions of Houston, Texas, where 104 degree temps with 90% humidity are common in the summer. Everything I've ever been taught is "you must wear cotton to stay cool". But, all I hear here is, "stay away from cotton"...

Ok I must admit that i'm a smoker. And I do smoke in the wilderness. How can you smoke on the trail? :o I'm not being critical - this is an honest question. You do a lot of difficult hikes - don't the cigs make you choke and cough and slow you down? Thank you for respecting nature and being careful...

I'd like to set this up as a group event, now that Joe has that cool feature on the home page. Where do you think it would be better to meet? Somewhere in Phoenix, in Payson, or at The Narrows? I'll pitch in for a box of garbage bags. What else should we bring? Do you think we'll have time to play a...

Consider Inner Basin near Flagstaff. It's at 8,000+ feet, so it should be cool. The Inner Basin trail is about 7 miles round trip, through aspen forests and mountain meadows. Lots of shade, there's a creek/spring that should be flowing and the wildflowers blooming. You can connect with several other...

Sheri: Just wanted to share with you something that DesertBoots shared with me on our hike a few weeks ago. Cactus spikes can go straight through the soles of your tennis shoes. It sounded like you wanted to do a bit of hiking in White Tanks & South Mountain, so that is something you might want ...

How does Sunday, June 8 work for a cleanup?

If I can go, I will. Problem is I don't know which weekends I'm free, yet.

So, how much does this cost? I know dorm-style accomodations are $26/night, but what about the meals?

I honestly believe that most people want to do the right thing, but many people need to be reminded and some people still need to be taught, what the right thing is. If I felt safe, I probably would have done the same thing.

I think the clean-up day is a great idea! Let's do it!

Sherilee: As you know, I'm a new hiker, too. Other people will undoubtedly have better advice, but since they're probably out finishing their hikes and I'm home doing chores like you, I'll share some of what I've learned with you so far. :lol: One of the reasons that I started hiking was because it ...

Question: my husband has an old backpack from his boyscout days. It's big, rarely used, and on a nice frame. Are these frames designed for the person who wears them? IE, is a frame he used going to be too big for me? Also, is there a way to take the pack off the frame and use it for a day pack?

I did not realize that the road leading to O'leary peak was ever closed . . . Sorry you could not make it to the trailhead. It truely is a wonderful hike. Maybe you can try some other time. :D Apparently, the folks at Peaks Ranger District didn't realize it, either. I called them to check road cond...