Re: Three-Day Sonoran Desert Backpack

[SJFL]

Hi. I know I'm asking a very broad question that stands to make some people want to hide their most coveted places. But I feel I contribute to this community and have a deep respect for the outdoors. So, hoping someone can either answer here or PM me with some suggestions.

I live in Tucson and I am planning a three-day backpack for next week. I have been hitting the Supes pretty hard this winter and have been in the northern part of the Galiuros a bit too. Wondering if you can suggest a three-day route somewhere in Sonoran Desert that will have water. Doesn't have to be a loop--could be hike to basecamp and then day trips. But definitely open to loops. Trying to stay north of I-10 And East of Organ Pipe. Preferably pretty far from "civilization."

Thank you in advance.

[andrewp]

@SJFL Aravaipa Canyon is beautiful this time of year, but you'll need to secure a permit. Recreation.gov shows nothing available for a 3-day trip, but you might try calling the BLM office in Safford to see if they've had a last-minute cancellation.

Another option would be to do Redfield Canyon and then hook up with the West Divide trail in the SW corner of the Galiuros. I haven't done this one, but it's on my list.

[SJFL]

@andrewp
Hi Andrew. Thank you for your response. I have been in Aravaipa twice in the past 7 months. And I was in Redfield once a few months ago. It was outstanding. I really want to go back into Redfield, but both approach roads are a disaster for my Subaru Forester. Waiting to get another vehicle that will make that trip a bit easier.

Thank you again for weighing in.

[nonot]

There are many trails at lower elevations in the (southern area of the) Blue Ridge Wilderness I would like to explore someday. Maybe the timing is right for you? Besides FOTG, HAZ members have really not touched most of the trails, and FOTG hasn't covered them all. The area is ripe for posting new guides for HAZ.

[SJFL]

@nonot
Are you thinking of the Blue Range Primitive Area? I have been meaning to get up there. But since I only have three days, that may be more driving than I can do now. Or is there something called Blue Ridge that I should know about?

Also, what is FOTG?

Thanks for weighing in. I appreciate it.

[nonot]

@SJFL
Yes, the low elevation southern parts of the Blue Ridge Primitive Area, as well as a little outside the border, is Sonoran desert, in my view. The middle and northern parts are not as they are more pinion scrub and you get into the pine forests at upper elevations, but if you pick trails no more than 20 miles north of the GET (Grand Enchantment trail) I'd think for the most part you'd be desert bound.

FOTG=friend of thunder god, a HAZ user which will be one of the few to show up in triplogs in several hikes in this area. Preston Sands has also logged a few in this area. Looking at the map nobody has logged many of the southern trails and HAZ just has stub pages for them.

Edit: consulting maps, the GET gets up to 6400 ft, though much of it is at 4500-5000 ft. That is higher elevation than I realized so this may not be as much desert and chapparel. Perhaps if you stay south of the GET you'd stick to the desert.

[chumley]

somewhere in Sonoran Desert that will have water

Unfortunately that's a tough ask this year. There's plenty of spots that typically would have water at this time of year, that don't.

[SJFL]

@chumley
It's been a rough 12 months for the Sonoran Desert.

I may have to extend my scope a little bit. I'm thinking of car camping at the edge of Fish Hooks and doing some day hikes. Couldn't find much on HikeAZ. So, I'll post my findings. And if anyone knows of anything, please let me know.

[SJFL]

@nonot
Just saw this. Thanks for updating that info and for the explanation of terms.

I have had Blue Ridge on my radar for a while. I just have to do it when I have more time. For that matter, maybe one day I'll just do the GET.