Backpacking close to Flagstaff

[domromer]

Hi all, just moved back to Flagstaff after living on the east coast for 6 year. We also just finished our thru hike of the Colorado Trail last week! I didn't backpack hardly at all when I lived in Flag before, now i want to do it all the time! I'm looking for some recommendations for trips that are within an hour... Any ideas? Is there a good book about backpacking in AZ that I should buy? We are planning on thru hiking the AZT in October so I want to keep my backpacking game strong!

[SuperstitionGuy]

Is there a good book about backpacking in AZ that I should buy?

The real time-book is call HAZ. Just make a yearly donation every year for all the updates.

[Nighthiker]

Backpack the Arizona Trail from Flagstaff South to AZ 87. If you night hike Sunset Crater turn off your head lamp, it attracts the park service police .

[nonot]

@domromer
The general problem with backpacking around Flagstaff is a relative absence of water sources. There are a few near established hiking trails that I am aware of, though I do not offhand think any are natural springs. If you are willing to place water caches I think you would open yourself up to more options, as you can turn any hiking trail into a backpack trail.

[azbackpackr]

I was going to suggest the Kachina-Weatherford loop, and cache water at one end. At Shultz Pass if you start at Kachina TH, or at Kachina TH if you start at Shultz Pass. Problem right now would be lightning storms. Most people like to camp up in the Fremont saddle area, but that's not advisable right now, what with storms here in Flag every day. @domromer I'm living in Flagstaff through mid-October. Then I go snowbird somewhere warm.