@andrewp Thank you so much! Unfortunately (and fortunately), in Southern AZ I've hit most of the trail in the Rincons, Catalinas, Chiricahuas, and Santa Ritas and am just in the phase of finishing off minor trails in those ranges. I'm planning on spending more time in the Huachucas (Miller Peak Wil...

If you have experience exploring the Pinalenos, please give me some guidance on best backpacking trails, suggested routes, etc. In Southern AZ, I'm more accustomed to ranges like the Santa Ritas, Chiricahuas, Miller Peak Wilderness, and the Tucson Mountains. In other words, generally well-maintained...

@Watauga
I’m sorry, I don’t know. I’m sure someone else on the forum does.

@Watauga I hit Charlebois spring two weeks ago and the area around it seemed just fine.

@prisegem
I’m sorry I don’t know. It was pretty burned coming out of peralta after it hits elevation. But not sure after the terrapin turnoff.

I would pitch you on taking Dutchman from First Water TH. I think it's the easiest hike to Charlebois and LaBarge springs. Then you can meander around while maintaining base camp at the spring of your choice. I did the Bluff Springs, Terrapin, Peralta loop a couple weeks back and both Bluff Springs ...

I am requesting some assistance in piecing together a West Clear Creek two night trip. I'd like to head eastbound from Bull Pen and continue as far as I safely can without needing technical gear. I'm fine floating a pack, but not rappelling, and want to avoid going down things that I couldn't get ba...

@johnny88
. . . aaaaand I just saw that. Sigh. The Scarlet Letter "A" in this case stands for Arizona! We're switching to the Wasatch range with fingers crossed that Utah doesn't likewise shun us . . .

@nonot Great suggestions re. CO; I will research. Re. Gila, I'd spoken with someone at USFS who gave similar advice re water levels. We will be cautious. Also, NM's governor is reportedly considering expanding travel restrictions into the State to cars and not just airplanes, so we're going to have...

@chumley I ended up doing both Deer Creek and Gold Ridge. Deer Creek remains gnarly and hard to follow in sections (esp. around the trail crossings), but is stunning. My biggest challenge actually came when I hitting Sheep Creek. It was tough to follow. I have to admit I turned tail after about 1/2...

@richvosko I thought I had responded earlier, sorry. There was plenty of water as of three weeks ago. For a first timer, I'd suggest GPS rather than simply maps. It's not uncommon for people to get turned around on the Cabin Loop due to numerous road crossings. I encountered two groups lost during ...

@nonot Re elevation, ideally not much more than 2,000 AEG per ~20 miles. Our hiking group has one (lovable) weak link whose kryptonite is AEG. Put that person on flats and you get 30 mile days, but one big effin' climb and it's lights out . . . Point being, I would very much welcome hike suggestion...

@big_load
This is all starting to remind me of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. . .

@hikeaz
Tahoe Rim and Middle Fork are now on the list. Thanks so much to you both. Great suggestions. Now all we need is to not have THOSE States issue AZ-quarantine orders too!

Our upstate NY summer vacation is on the rocks due to Covid travel restrictions. We're pivoting to semi-local backpacking to make up for it. We need to find a backpacking trip in UT, CO, NV, NM, CA, that is like the Cabin Loop (25 to 60 miles, limited elevation gain, plenty of water, ideally not poi...

@Daggi I'd vote February. I've had snow in the Catalinas and the Rincons, and even north of Oracle, into early March, depending on the weather. The upshot is the AZT is super easy to follow throughout those areas and there are many bailout points if a nasty front comes through. Use the Guthook App.

@jacobemerick
Thanks for the prompt response! I saw your Gold Ridge description. Would you suggest that trail instead of Deer Creek as the cherry stem for the loop I intend (starting from the Deer Creek TH)?

I'm trying to string together a multi-day starting from Deer Creek, south on the MDT, then putting together a loop of Sheep Creek (88), Sears (90), FR477, and Copper Camp (87). I have the GPX routes but I'm unable to tell from what I'm looking at whether the trails still exist and whether they are p...

@BRipp
Once you pick up the Guthook app, feel free to PM me. I have done #22-26 and can run through some high points, but it'll be harder without the app.

I have time for a five day section hike of the AZT in mid-November, and I'm looking for suggestions as to which passages. Just to make it hard, I'm excluding #18-26 from contention. Long-suffering spouse will be managing the shuttle, so preference for pickup/drop-off points that don't involve kung f...