Out of towner needing advice

[Douglas]

Hello,

I am contemplating taking a last minute trip to Arizona next week to do some hiking, backpacking, and general exploration (I'm in between jobs, waiting for my new job to start). I am contemplating a backpacking trip in the Superstition Mountains, but I am wondering if it will be too hot and dry for a novice desert hiker like myself (I have never been hiking in the desert before). I am from the East Coast and have done most of my hiking during the Summer in the Catskills of NY and Shenandoah in VA. The longest solo hike I've done is a two night-three day hike of Maroon Bells outside of Aspen. I like to think I handle the heat well (I've lived in Dallas). I don't really have experience navigating off trail as I don't know how to use a compass, but do know how to follow a map reasonably well.

Given my experience and the time of year (heat and water conditions), do you think it would be suitable to attempt a 1,2, or 3 night backpack through the Supes? Are there trails suitable enough for such an endeavor? Or would you recommend I wait for another time of year when it's cooler?

I have just discovered this website and it seems amazing. Thank you in advance.

Doug

[joebartels]

@Douglas
Welcome to HAZ!

Nov - Mar is typically the safe weather for the Western Superstitions. I just checked and it will be 100 degrees there in a few days. Too hot for most.

[Douglas]

Hey Joe! Thanks for the advice! What about the Eastern Supes? Would those be suitable?

[joebartels]

@Douglas
the eastern supes are generally ten degrees cooler

I checked on my favorite loop
https://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=724
in the next ten days it gets up to 90 in the lowest part and 85 in the upper

This is the https://hikearizona.com/map.php?GPS=26915
While not as dangerous and I myself would enjoy it, it's still too toasty for most.

On the map above you can move the map around and it shows the elevation in red at the top.
Then the key is to right click over the map or click menu on mobile and select forecast for various areas.

I didn't know if you were interested in non desert areas coming so far. More enjoyable now is
https://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=797
or 4,500 to 7k around the state now

[Douglas]

Thanks a lot, Joe! This is great information. I have read up on the Cabin Loop and it seems great. It sounds like navigation could be tricky at times, but hopefully nothing too difficult to manage. I appreciate your help.

[chulavista]

@Douglas,
Please come back after your trip and tell us how you liked it!

I'm gonna chime in here as well though, this desert is very unforgiving. I'd love to see you do a cooler hike here in AZ, and schedule a desert hike for the cooler times of the year. I am sure I echo everyone else here on the HAZ forums that we don't want to read about you and your family in the papers!! I was born and raised here in Southern AZ, and I would not do the Supes right now.

Looking forward to hearing how well you enjoyed your trip!