If you haven’t done the Gila it’s a good hike. Little bear middle fork loop would be a good day hike considering you move rather quickly. There was recent maintenance on middle fork to Jordan hot springs which has the trail in good shape; should be completed all the way to the meadows by now. Howeve...

I think your idea to do the supes in April is a bit too warm but if you're okay with that, Supes will be fine. If you want to be in the pines the end of April is a good time to hike the highline. Could get into the 30s below the escarpment but I did this last year at the end of April and it was in t...

All items have been claimed.

Some stuff that I don't want or need and hoping it goes to a good home. Many many years ago when I first backpacked in AZ I was given some decent gear for free. Just want to pass that on to someone else whose dipping their feet into this hobby but may not be able to afford some stuff to get started....

Three consecutive days of low 80º official high temps in Phoenix. Probably never see that again. I don't think that's ever occurred in Phoenix in July before?

That 597 ridge over the southwest is going to warm things up to some uncomfortable levels this weekend. Combine that heat with some dewpoints in the upper sixties, going to feel pretty gross outside.

Protalus ET75's in my Olympus 4's ($40). I use the Protalus M100s in other pair of Altra's which also work well ($60). Expensive, but I am sold on the product. I have a pair of superfeet in my Oboz, not bad but not quite what I need.

Also use an in-reach mini and as others have recommended it does seem to be iffy with SMS communication (but that tends to be with the plan your choose in my experience) it's also far from being accurate in tracking your distance. I can confirm that if you're exploring a narrow deep canyon or in den...

Quite a few stories floating around about these pieces of 'art' are hilarious. A good distraction for folks who are obsessing over certain news item at the moment.

Lost another tree in the backyard with the winds this last weekend. Allergies (for me) have been the worst these past few days. Hopefully, we don't see temps in the 90s anymore. I am sure there will be some warm days in December. Probably back up to 85+ in January...

80º this morning at 6am at my house, cooled off to 77º at the trailhead.

LindaAnn wrote:Down socks.

Agreed. When I switched to a quilt system this year these helped.

Some friends of ours in Ahwatukee filmed their outdoor cat killing a speckled, fairly similar behavior, even down the rolling around after it killed it. Neat video.

I have a UGQ Bandit that's rated for 30º and 0º, I really like both quilts. I have used the 0º bag in below freezing conditions twice and have no complaints. Good luck on your purchasing decision.

@Jim_H
Also located near south mountain... According to my weather station we've never dipped below 100º yet, maybe this next week, but I doubt it. Not looking forward to a January when it's still in the mid 80s and probably a few weeks where it reaches 90+.

I wanted to start making my own meals to save some money and eat a bit healthier while on the trail. I have found success in re-using some of the backpackers pantry or mountain house pouches but you can only get a few uses out of them and their kind a pain to get clean. What I am looking for is a bu...

65º during my hike this morning, I'll take it.

Same thing happened in southeast Phoenix last weekend...

Yeah, past couple of mornings have been pleasant hiking on SoMo.

I think statewide we'll be in the full swing of things in the next five days or so!