Does anyone have routes for 2 to 3 days in the Chiricahuas or Black River area?

[booksandhikes]

Our group is in early stages of planning a 3 night trip for late winter/early spring. We are a fairly experienced group and between us have been around much of Arizona, especially central Arizona and much of the Rim. We are looking at some locations in which most or all of us have not been and the Chiricahuas and Black River are two areas which were nominated for consideration, among others. These are also the two areas I am having the most trouble finding anecdotes and trip reports on, they don't seem to be as typical of spots for longer backpacking trips, but more appropriate for camping and day hikes.

In any event, I imagine people here have made some trips out of these locations. Any recommendations for routes would be great, and photos a big plus! In the meantime I've done some searches here and am trying to piece together some of the info others have already posted about these locations.

Three days preferred. We have the ability to make the trip happen between January and March, but March is most likely for the obvious reasons.

Thank you in advance.

[azbackpackr]

@booksandhikes
https://hikearizona.com/x.php?I=4&ZTN=326&UID=24537

I used to lead a hike I called "the Black River Wade." I've hiked many sections of that river, but not for many years. A friend tried to duplicate it last year, and couldn't find the trail. We would start at Bear Creek, or Wildcat Crossing (Road 25). Wear old shoes, use hiking poles, since you'd be crossing every 15 minutes or so. There were giant cairns on either side of the crossings. The trail would end at the river by a cairn, then you'd look across the river to find the opposite one. It is NOT a winter hike. It's a summer hike, with delightful places to swim. I'd be packing to go there this minute if I could.

[booksandhikes]

@booksandhikes
https://hikearizona.com/x.php?I=4&ZTN=326&UID=24537

I used to lead a hike I called "the Black River Wade." I've hiked many sections of that river, but not for many years. A friend tried to duplicate it last year, and couldn't find the trail. We would start at Bear Creek, or Wildcat Crossing (Road 25). Wear old shoes, use hiking poles, since you'd be crossing every 15 minutes or so. There were giant cairns on either side of the crossings. The trail would end at the river by a cairn, then you'd look across the river to find the opposite one. It is NOT a winter hike. It's a summer hike, with delightful places to swim. I'd be packing to go there this minute if I could.

Thank you! I'm having a read of your report. But yes, it does sound like March would not be the time to do this if constant crossings are unavoidable and/or the main draw of the area, so perhaps I should just cross this off of the list and bookmark it for another trip.

[xsproutx]

A trip I really enjoyed in the Chiris was this loop: Greenhouse 248 --> Crest Trail 270 --> Aspen 246a (I took the 270c spur as well to get water from Juniper spring before reconnecting to Aspen 246) --> Herb Martyr 247. The first mile or so of Greenhouse is a pretty crappy road; I parked about .75 in right next to where it crosses Greenhouse Creek, which was running at the time. I did that because I was getting a late start that day and wanted to shorten how much climbing/walking I had to do to get to Cima park. You could park at the Campground area or near the beginning of Greenhouse road just fine though. Check my triplog from 2 years ago or so for more details

edit: oh, just saw this was for late winter/early spring. This probably wouldn't be a good trip for that most likely as the majority is above 8k feet.

[azbackpackr]

constant crossings are unavoidable

Yes, because the trail becomes "cliffed-out" as the river meanders from side to side. That's why the old horse trail keeps crossing the river. It really was the loveliest hike, and I still have people begging me to lead it again. I will try to get down there and see if the trail still exists. It was kept open by constant horseback riding usage. If the outfitter is no longer offering those riding trips, the trail would just become overgrown. Bushwhacking along that river can be fun, for a little while, but not for many miles.

[chumley]

@booksandhikes

Your suggested areas are typically not ideal in the timeframe that you're looking at due to elevation. I would try to plan something that stays below 7000 feet most of the time even into late March. Snowpack varies from year to year and you could be trudging through snow (especially likely above 8000 feet) and even in a year with no snow, it can still be bitterly cold at night (commonly well below freezing).

If you're looking to expand your horizons into more remote areas of the state, the Galiuro mountains offer some of what you might be looking for at elevations that don't rise as high as the Chiricahuas. See this map for options: [ Galiuro :: map ] . Powers Garden is a popular destination (popular being a relative term), with several trail options to get there and back. It also allows for an easy two-night "base camp" where you can make day hikes from there and return that night.

Another good option might be the Saguaro National Park Mountain District (Rincon Mountains) where numerous trails flank the western foothills at moderate elevations and may offer better opportunities for you earlier in your time window depending on how the winter progresses. Camps at Douglas Spring and Grass Shack are at ideal elevations, and if the weather is warmer, climbing to Happy Valley is a fantastic place to camp (which can also be reached from the east via Miller or Turkey Creek trails). The higher points in SNP up by Manning Camp and Mica Mountain are likely very cold and potentially very snowy in late winter.

There are plenty of options for backpacking in the Superstitions in Jan-Mar too, but it sounds like you're looking to get out and explore beyond the central part of the state.

Good luck and enjoy!

[azbackpackr]

Yes, and also, although it's right next to the city, the Sabino-Esperero-west Sabino-Hutch's Pool-Bear Canyon-Seven Falls Loop can be very rewarding in March or April. Also in October if we've had substantial rain in the summer.

[xsproutx]

@azbackpackr
I went over there last year, starting from WildCat. I covered the area maybe a mile or two east of the bridge and then 4ish close to the res border. It was definitely overgrown a bit but it actually wasn't too bad and I think it's seeing traffic.

[azbackpackr]

@xsproutx
Excellent news! Thanks!

[nonot]

We are looking at some locations in which most or all of us have not been and the Chiricahuas and Black River are two areas which were nominated for consideration, among others.
...
Three days preferred. We have the ability to make the trip happen between January and March, but March is most likely for the obvious reasons.

Neither the Chiricahua's nor the Black River areas are popular for multi-day backpacking in January to March. The primary reason being that there is typically a decent snowpack at this time of year at those elevations.

These areas favor trips in the late spring (when late spring actually is depending on snow levels)/summer/fall.

Within the Chiricahua's the most likely areas that are going to be below snow level in March are probably near the Witch Canyon area ( [ North Witch Canyon Trail ] ) (which has 0 total triplogs on HAZ), or the Silver spur meadow area within the National Monument area ( [ Silver Spur Meadow Trail ] ) which is more popular, however it will be very difficult to string together a 3 day trip that doesn't take you up and into higher country (above 7000 ft where snow is very likely and may present significant challenge/danger to the unprepared.) Furthermore, a quick browse of the National Monument's website doesn't indicate whether backpacking in the national monument is even allowed/legal, though I only spent a few minutes searching.

Edited to add: I am not recommending Indian Creek Trail, as past research suggested there are private landowner issues which may make this trail currently legally inaccessible.

[booksandhikes]

Great info everyone, thank you. For some reason I hadn't considered the Chiris being above 7k, but I know next to nothing about the area. And good to know Black River is just not an option given the way the trails work.

So we are currently looking at Owl and Fish Canyons in Bears Ears, which appears to be ideal for March. Paria Canyon and parts of Zion as well. Hoping to find some more spots in Arizona proper though. We are basically looking for:

- Relatively to very remote
- A 2-3 day hike with some goals (go from here to here, see x and y etc), rather than just meandering or camping somehwere stationary and doing day hikes (though not entirely opposed to this).
- Somehwere on the outter reaches of the state. We are trying to keep the Mogollon Rim and Grand Canyon areas as a last resort as a few of us have seen much of these areas (excluding the North Rim area of the GC).

As for weather, a little snow doesn't bother us, nor do temps in the teens. But anything more than that will scare aware a couple of members of the group.

[xsproutx]

Since you mention Utah...

Grand Gulch in UT is pretty awesome with a lot to see from cliff dwellings to glyphs and in March, you don't need a permit. Classic route is Kane to Bullet or vice versa (I prefer Kane to Bullet). Drop off a car/bike at one end to do a shuttle. 21 miles or so but very easy to do 2 nights or more with all the side areas and cliffs to explore

The gila wilderness is pretty amazing. It'll likely be below freezing over night but in the 60s during the day. The downside, of course, is that you'll be crossing the river dozens of times and that will be cold but not the worse thing in the world really as long as you're wearing wool socks. There really aren't many people out there that time of year and hey, hot springs. Multiple loops you can put together there

[nonot]

Quick thoughts on other Areas that may be of interest to backpackers in March that avoid the Superstitions, Grand Canyon, and Mogollon Rim area:

Mazatzal Wilderness - away from the Divide (e.g. near Verde River)
Santa Teresa Wilderness trails
Aravaipa
Fossil Creek area (though this would be a short trip)
Pine Mountain Wilderness
White Canyon area
Sycamore canyon area (though if there is early snowmelt this could be impassible)


I also agree with previous suggestions of Grand Gulch (UT), Paria Canyon (although this is debatable regarding breaking the grand canyon avoidance rule), and Galiuros Wilderness
Owl/Fish is awesome area, but I'm not sure you'll find a way to make that into a backpack, always struck me as more of a camping and dayhiking area.

If you are considering southern Utah, then Canyonlands (Needles District) seems good that time of year and offers excellent backpacking multiday loops.

[RedRoxx44]

Galiuros-- depending on winter/spring rains although the Power Garden and Field canyon springs should be reliable unless we continue this low to no rain regimen. If there has been significant rain there can be flow and some deep pools in Rattlesnake canyon. In at Deer Creek, Tortilla to the Garden then from there a day hike up Field to Grassy peak or over to the Shoot out cabin or both. Out the way you came or Corral or Rattlesnake and back on East Divide. Might be some route finding esp on Corral due to past fires and unknown trail maintenance. If too tame spot two vehicles and go in at Deer Creek ( if Powers Hill was open that would be the true north start to south), Tortilla down Rattlesnake, over the Divide down to Redfield then depending on vehicle access to Jackson cabin and drive out or at Jackson cabin up the use trail to Bassett then down to Ash Creek to vehicle. You could also go out Rattlesnake to the East divide and out either High Creek or Ash. There will be some rough "trail" conditions along here and plan on some bushwaking and possible water challenges. You need a HC 4wd for Jackson cabin vehicle access.
Often overlooked in Utah--- Upper Paria, Hackberry, Sheep canyons complex. Dayhikes for sure but some backpacks can be made depending of how adventurous your group is. Favorite side canyons in those are Kitchen/Starlight/ Virgin/ Hogeye/ Round Valley Draw ( bring a short rope for lowering packs), Stone Donkey ( good headlamp and no large people). My favorite entrance to Upper Paria is Rock Creek/ Springs. Easy and spectacular views, petros, etc. Mult small slots off the Paria in there too. The access roads in those areas have some serious mud issues if wet however.
Dark Canyon via the Sundance scree trail entrance probably ok in March. Unfortunately the upper TH access might be snowed in negating a thru backpack.

[booksandhikes]

Well, just as I had whittled down some serious contenders our dates had to be switched (the good news is that good news caused us to switch the dates). We are now looking at mid-late December.

My partner and I camped in Valley of the Gods two decembers ago and while we were able to deal with the cold, there are a few less experienced people on this trip who I think would not enjoy themselves. I imagine all of Southern Utah and Northern Arizona above probably Sedona are off lmits now.

Sounds like any mountains in the south will also be too cold.

This brings us back to central arizona which is the exact opposite of what we had planned to do. About half the group has hiked all over the superstitions, but none of us have backpacked it (always preferring to get a little further from home). It looks like we may actually do this.

Any other suggestions for mid-late december?

[xsproutx]

Knock out some AZT? If you have a group, should be easy enough to set up a shuttle to do something in the Mazzies (it'll be chillier but probably not too bad) or something like passages 16/17; add something on either side if you want more miles/days. Tons of great stuff in the supes, too, and backpacking allows you to get further in (for mere mortals unlike some of the people here who are like, "Yeh, just did a small 32 mile day hike in the supes")