Backpacking proposal trail suggestions

Moderator: HAZ - Moderators

 Linked Guides none
 Linked Area, etc none
Post Reply
no avatar
L0tr_Saruman
Triplogs Last: none | RS: 0
Water Reports 1Y: 0 | Last: never
Joined: Jun 22 2016 8:57 am
City, State: Mesa, AZ

Backpacking proposal trail suggestions

Post by L0tr_Saruman »

Hello everyone,

My girlfriend and I are planning a backpacking trip on the weekend of July 4th. I am looking for a place that isn't too crowded, has some decent views, and wont be too unbearably hot. We have 2-3 days and are looking to complete about 20 (+/-) miles. Anywhere in the state is fine. Typically I would just look through the trail list (and I have been), but i really need this trip to be perfect because I will be proposing! :y:

Please let me know what you think and what you would choose.

Thank You!
contribute to this member driven resource
ie: RS > Save/Share after hikes Route Scout GPS Topo Mapper on the App Store Route Scout GPS Topo Mapper on Google Play
User avatar
JasonCleghorn
Guides: 0 | Official Routes: 4
Triplogs Last: 832 d | RS: 8
Water Reports 1Y: 0 | Last: 832 d
Joined: Nov 11 2014 1:03 pm
City, State: Manchester, NH
Contact:

Re: Backpacking proposal trail suggestions

Post by JasonCleghorn »

Depending on your abilities, I'd go to the Blue Range Primitive Area, just based on @Chumley and @FriendofThundergod triplogs and photos. May still be cool-ish there, too.
Follow me on Instagram: hikingjason
"It's not the mountains that we conquer, but ourselves"
contribute to this member driven resource
ie: RS > Save/Share after hikes Route Scout GPS Topo Mapper on the App Store Route Scout GPS Topo Mapper on Google Play
User avatar
chumley
Guides: 94 | Official Routes: 241
Triplogs Last: 5 d | RS: 65
Water Reports 1Y: 78 | Last: 7 d
Joined: Sep 18 2002 8:59 am
City, State: Tempe, AZ

Re: Backpacking proposal trail suggestions

Post by chumley »

I wouldn't personally head to the Blue Range in July. It's a little bit warmer than I prefer, and it is very likely you will experience thunderstorms everyday. Not to mention it's a very long drive!

You're asking for a few things that contradict each other unfortunately: It's 4th of July. Places that won't be unbearably hot will likely be at least somewhat crowded. That's just how it is here in the summer. Especially on a holiday weekend!

I really think one of the better options is the popular Cabin Loop. It won't be crowded, but you'll almost certainly pass a few other groups of backpackers. The catch will be whether any of the ideal camping areas near the springs have other groups camped nearby or not.

There aren't expansive views up there but it's scenic pine forest with picturesque small canyons and ridges.

Not knowing your experience level, it's difficult to recommend much else. Some people like to spend a night or two exploring up the West Fork of Oak Creek Canyon. You have to go quite a ways before camping is permitted and you will have to be walking in water much of that hike.

If you don't mind a big climb, great views can be found in some of the sky islands of southern Arizona. I might recommend the Huachucas. A Carr-Comfort Springs loop features some big elevation gain to start, but there are some great camp spots along the ridge with great views, and I'm pretty sure Bathtub Spring is reliable year round. A trip over to Miller Peak would be a nice side trip/day hike on this loop.

But, if she says yes :scared: it won't matter where you are. It'll be perfect just because it is. :y: Good luck!
I'm not sure what my spirit animal is, but I'm confident it has rabies.
contribute to this member driven resource
ie: RS > Save/Share after hikes Route Scout GPS Topo Mapper on the App Store Route Scout GPS Topo Mapper on Google Play
User avatar
Tough_Boots
Guides: 0 | Official Routes: 6
Triplogs Last: 2,457 d | RS: 20
Water Reports 1Y: 0 | Last: 2,597 d
Joined: Mar 28 2008 7:08 pm
City, State: Phoenix, AZ

Re: Backpacking proposal trail suggestions

Post by Tough_Boots »

chumley wrote:I really think one of the better options is the popular Cabin Loop.
If you want to avoid crowds, keep to the east side (U-bar, Barbershop, Houston Bros). The south end of the Fred Haught trail near General Springs Cabin is where all the traffic always is.
contribute to this member driven resource
ie: RS > Save/Share after hikes Route Scout GPS Topo Mapper on the App Store Route Scout GPS Topo Mapper on Google Play
no avatar
L0tr_Saruman
Triplogs Last: none | RS: 0
Water Reports 1Y: 0 | Last: never
Joined: Jun 22 2016 8:57 am
City, State: Mesa, AZ

Re: Backpacking proposal trail suggestions

Post by L0tr_Saruman »

I had been eyeing up cabin loop for a while now. Carr Comfort springs looks pretty great too!

My original plan was Ash Creek Trail #307. Would that one be a good option?
contribute to this member driven resource
ie: RS > Save/Share after hikes Route Scout GPS Topo Mapper on the App Store Route Scout GPS Topo Mapper on Google Play
User avatar
LansfordHastings
Triplogs Last: 3,390 d | RS: 0
Water Reports 1Y: 0 | Last: never
Joined: Oct 21 2015 7:14 pm

Re: Backpacking proposal trail suggestions

Post by LansfordHastings »

L0tr_Saruman wrote:Hello everyone,

Typically I would just look through the trail list (and I have been), but i really need this trip to be perfect because I will be proposing! :y:
Let's just hope she's also not a HAZ member. :lol:
contribute to this member driven resource
ie: RS > Save/Share after hikes Route Scout GPS Topo Mapper on the App Store Route Scout GPS Topo Mapper on Google Play
User avatar
azbackpackr
Guides: 27 | Official Routes: 23
Triplogs Last: 77 d | RS: 0
Water Reports 1Y: 0 | Last: 770 d
Joined: Jan 21 2006 6:46 am
City, State: Eagar AZ

Re: Backpacking proposal trail suggestions

Post by azbackpackr »

Black River Mainstem. You walk along the river upstream or downstream from Wildcat Crossing Bridge. There are almost no people around after the first mile. You have to cross the river many times and there are places to swim. It's green and pretty. Yes, there may be thunderstorms in the afternoons, but you're down low, and the lightning generally strikes the ridges. See my triplogs: http://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=326
There is a point of no return unremarked at the time in most lives. Graham Greene The Comedians
A clean house is a sign of a misspent life.
contribute to this member driven resource
ie: RS > Save/Share after hikes Route Scout GPS Topo Mapper on the App Store Route Scout GPS Topo Mapper on Google Play
User avatar
johnlp
Guides: 1 | Official Routes: 5
Triplogs Last: 4 d | RS: 2
Water Reports 1Y: 0 | Last: 1,742 d
Joined: Mar 16 2008 7:12 pm
City, State: chandler,az

Re: Backpacking proposal trail suggestions

Post by johnlp »

Ash Creek would be a nice place to backpack.
“Good people drink good beer.” Hunter S Thompson
contribute to this member driven resource
ie: RS > Save/Share after hikes Route Scout GPS Topo Mapper on the App Store Route Scout GPS Topo Mapper on Google Play
Post Reply

Return to “Looking for a Hike”