[K9Shep]

Hello! I just would like to start by saying thanks to everyone for such a wonderful resource. First I want to give a little background info to help anyone out who responds. I am about 6'2" and about 270lbs. Fitness level is average to below average. I am getting back into hiking as a form of exercise (hate the gym) and as a very fun recreational activity, with an eventual goal of backpack 1-2 nights. I have an almost 2 year old German Sheppard who is extremely well trained with obedience. I have been on 3 hikes close to Phoenix (live in Glendale) and have had no issues with her on and off lead. Currently my wife (hiking partner) and I have different days off except for Friday night and part of Saturday A.M. I am looking for some hikes where I can drive to them Friday night and hike early Saturday morning and get back to Glendale by around 1p.m. so I can get some sleep. (work the over night shift). Currently I am looking at doing http://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=2218. I would love it if there was some kind of H2O for the dog to play in on the hike. Thanks in advance for any recommendations. Also I am looking for hikes that I will be able to do throughout the summer.

[nonot]

Water+summer = higher elevations, further from Phoenix. There's a few lakes near flag that have trails and you may want to consider the Alpine area, such as the Thompson Trail. A bit of a drive though once summer really sets in. With wildfires though eastern AZ might not be a good choice for awhile.

[chumley]

I'm afraid that to get to the cooler temperatures, you probably have to drive a little bit farther, making a return to the valley by 1pm a bit more difficult. But if you are hiking early on a Saturday morning, some of the lower elevation spots may still be tolerable, especially if near water. You might want to check out the Horton Creek Trail near Payson (http://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=62). This one might kick your butt a little bit as it climbs steadily the whole way, but it also parallels a beautiful creek. It'll get a little bit warmer by afternoon, but a summer morning should be nice. It's a popular spot, and you'll encounter other people and dogs, so if yours is off-lead be prepared for what you might encounter.

The trails of the Cabin Loop (http://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=797) are probably a great spot, though as the summer dries out, there are sections where there is no water in the creeks, but it's at 7500 feet so you and your dog should have no problem making it from one creek to the other. This area takes almost 3 hours to get to however, which limits the amount of hiking you can do in the morning (or how early you get up) to be back in Glendale by 1. It is definitely not ideal for your schedule. The entire loop itself is far too long, but you can hike much smaller portions of it with ease as it crosses forest roads in many places. I would recommend the northern half of the Houston Brothers trail as a starter. Beginning at the Pinchot Cabin, hike south to at least Aspen Springs (about 1.5 miles) or McFarland Spring (2 mi.) and then return to your car, which would double the mileage. There's plenty of dispersed camping available within a short drive of the trailhead (camping is not allowed at the trailhead).

Another spot up north that might be really nice is the Bear Canyon Lake trail. (http://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=1210) This will also be a tough one to get back by 1pm, but plenty of dispersed camping. The trail on the western side of the lake is quite easy and well-traveled. On the eastern shore, it's less of a trail and I would probably recommend making this an out-and-back rather than trying to circle the entire lake.

I'm not too familiar with the spots that are more accessible from the west valley, so perhaps somebody will point you to some better stuff along the I-17 corridor that's a bit shorter of a drive for you to get to.

[te-wa]

big dipper would be fun right now. camp near trailhead, go down at 6 am, swim, return up the hill at 11am. watch for snakes. very few ppl on this one. explore upstream on Poland creek, if you wish. here's a photoset: http://hikearizona.com/photoset.php?ID=7197

[Jim Lyding]

Also consider Mingus Mountain north of Prescott, Mount Union south of Prescott, and the Pinals by Globe. Your car would have to be able to make it up a decent dirt road for each of these, but I've had no problems with the first 2 in an old sedan. I've never driven to the top of the Pinals, but it looks very do-able. Each of these areas are about 2 hours away from the Valley.

[K9Shep]

Thanks for the help everyone. te-wa would that hike be ok for a dog to go on? Thanks again everyone!

[te-wa]

dogs are fine there, what we would normally have to avoid to stay dry, dog will swim thru - but your purpose here is to get wet!
check out the photoset: http://hikearizona.com/photoset.php?ID=10928
keep in mind, you have to hike out - dont do this hike in Mid July at 3pm..

[joe bartels]

I prefer starting at about 1pm for the Dipper in the summer. The mountain shades the hike back up after about 5pm

[K9Shep]

Wow this is perfect, just what I was looking for. I am loving this hiking stuff. Can't believe I didn't do more of it before. But then again in only 24 and yes . . . video games use to be more fun. I plan on doing this one in about two weeks with the wife. Right now with any luck I will be heading up to Lakeside, AZ to use my German Sheppard as a Therapy Dog. We just passed all the testing last week. But I am not sure if Therapy Dogs International (TDI) will let me because we are not yet trained as a disaster relief team. Wish me luck.

Also te-wa you linked 2 hikes, both which look like a blast. Just a few questions. On the Algonquin trail (the first photo set you linked) http://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=576 you mention big dipper. Is this trail realted to the Dig dipper trail you linked? Also in the Big Dipper trail explanation you mention a hard hike up hill. Out of these two hikes for a person who is starting out which would you recommend? I see that you and people in the trip logs mentioned taking the water route. Would you consider this feasible for a dog? Any idea how deep it is, or fast moving? Also if we start in the A.M. would the water be too cold this time of year for us or the dogs? Thanks again for all the information. It’s nice to be able to ask questions on a forum without being told to search first, or RTFM.

[azbackpackr]

Wow this is perfect, just what I was looking for. I am loving this hiking stuff. Can't believe I didn't do more of it before. But then again in only 24 and yes . . . video games use to be more fun. I plan on doing this one in about two weeks with the wife. Right now with any luck I will be heading up to Lakeside, AZ to use my German Sheppard as a Therapy Dog. We just passed all the testing last week. But I am not sure if Therapy Dogs International (TDI) will let me because we are not yet trained as a disaster relief team. Wish me luck.

Also te-wa you linked 2 hikes, both which look like a blast. Just a few questions. On the Algonquin trail (the first photo set you linked) http://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=576 you mention big dipper. Is this trail realted to the Dig dipper trail you linked? Also in the Big Dipper trail explanation you mention a hard hike up hill. Out of these two hikes for a person who is starting out which would you recommend? I see that you and people in the trip logs mentioned taking the water route. Would you consider this feasible for a dog? Any idea how deep it is, or fast moving? Also if we start in the A.M. would the water be too cold this time of year for us or the dogs? Thanks again for all the information. It’s nice to be able to ask questions on a forum without being told to search first, or RTFM.

If you have time while in Lakeside, hike some of the nearby trails that TRACKS has built. http://www.tracks-pinetop-lakeside.org/
Country Club Trail: http://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=3172 and many others.

[te-wa]

algonquin trail leads to big dipper. go down into the canyon, turn left at the creek. (if you turn right, you can hike and scramble [not for beginners, but non technical] for about 5 miles all the way into crown king). water is cool, dogs will love it. there is one pool about 60' long, 5' or so deep, you have to wade/swim before you get to the dipper's awesome waterfall. like said, if you do this hike, prepare for a slight grade uphill climb with afternoon sun exposure. i would shy away from it any later in the year.. and please, take out what you take in. we dont want this place to become the next fossil springs.

[paulhubbard]

you can hike and scramble [not for beginners, but non technical] for about 5 miles all the way into crown king)

Not sure how attractive that section would be since the fire some years ago... http://hikearizona.com/photo.php?ZIP=145131

[Rick Vincent]

you may want to consider the Alpine area, such as the Thompson Trail. A bit of a drive though once summer really sets in. With wildfires though eastern AZ might not be a good choice for awhile.

According to the burn maps, it looks like the beautiful Thompson Trail is toast.

[Patrick L]

After hiking Mingus, I want to head up Mount Union, but I want a "hard" way with more AEG. Does anyone know of any routes that don't require high-clearance/4x4?

[coanbru]

@Patrick L
I don't remember the drive to the Mt Union published TH, to be High Clearance...

Walker Rd all the way to Poachers Row. There's parking for a couple of cars if I recall.

[Patrick L]

That route seems like an easy approach, though. I want to really feel like I made it to the top of the Bradshaws.

I will keep the original directions/route in mind, however.

[te-wa]

That route seems like an easy approach, though.

you want harder? then Icehouse canyon is the trip for you! Pinal mts, uphill both ways in the snow. enjoy!

[Patrick L]

That's what I'm talking about. I could even leave the shoes behind!

[Jim Lyding]

That route seems like an easy approach, though. I want to really feel like I made it to the top of the Bradshaws.

I will keep the original directions/route in mind, however.

Agree with Te-Wa. Icehouse Canyon is a doozy. I don't know of any way to Mount Union that's long and involves a lot of AEG. You might be able to figure something out from the west side of Mayer using forest roads. Looking at the map it appears there are routes to Union from FR 67

[big_load]

Icehouse was on my short list for an extra few days in the fall. I guess I'll keep it there.