Blue Range Family Backpacking trip

[tkknc]

I am planning to go on a family 5 day backpacking trip in the Blue Range. I would like suggestions for a nice loop trip. I have never been to the Blue. We would like to limit our days to 7 miles/day max (5 to 6 miles/day preferred).

Any suggestions from first hand experience in the Blue.

Thanks

[hikeaz]

First, if you've not yet done so, I would arm myself with the USFS "Blue Range Wilderness and primitive area" map.
It's pretty tough to make a long "loop" hike in "The Blue" as most of the trails head, in one form or another, from hwy. 191 down to the Blue River; and then back up again. This area does, however, offer almost certain solitude and wonderful, lush surroundings.
With that said, I might suggest this loop (it would be less than your 5 day request, though)...
1) Starting @ the Hannagan T/H, head south on Trail 73 (Steeple) > http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/asnf/recreation ... eple.shtml, to Trail 74 (Paradise) heading north. [url http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/asnf/recreation ... dise.shtml[/url] Depending on the water situation, you might need to detour to Mud Spring for water.
As you head north, there is good camping at Moonshine Park (and often water in Grant Creek, just beyond)
You'll continue on Trail 74 to Paradise Park (again, good camping here, although, for water, you'll need to get to White Oak Sp. about 1.5 mi. east unless you carry some up from Grant Creek), where you'll pick up Trail 75 (Grant Creek) http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/asnf/recreation ... _crk.shtml heading WNW.
Shortly after this turn you will encounter a steep uphill section. As the trail flattens out, you'll be nearing P-Bar Lake (not much of a lake, really) which is a pretty area in its own right. Here you will encounter Trail 76 (Foote Creek)http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/asnf/recreation ... oote.shtml
heading west. The last couple (3 maybe) miles back to Hannagan T/H are mostly flat walking through the woods.
All-in-all a beautiful loop.

If you've time left over and would like to visit a remote hot spring (ahhhh...) and a terrific, short slot canyon, and have a high clearance vehicle, head south on 191 about an hour to FR 475 heading east. Continue on that and turn off on FR 475C until it ends. (Just before the terminus of 475C, look for, and visit, the gravesite on your left... very interesting)
Take the trail (101) up the Blue River (bed) about 4 miles and turn NE into the LITTLE Blue drainage, a beautiful sycamore-lined canyon.
You'll head upcanyon about 2 or 2.5 miles and take Hannah Canyon eastish. After about 1/2 mile in this canyon you will encounter the hot spring on the north wall, and a short way further on a WONDERFUL slot canyon that offers canyoneering opportunities with no real vertical exposure.
The young'ins will LOVE it, YOU will too

ENJOY!

[Lizard]

HikeAZ gave a great reply. He is right about this:

It's pretty tough to make a long "loop" hike in "The Blue" as most of the trails head, in one form or another, from hwy. 191 down to the Blue River; and then back up again.

However you can make some loop hikes by using the Blue River road as a trail to link up some of the trails coming down from 191. I did this a couple years ago, here is my trail description:

http://www.hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=224

The Steeple Mesa trail coming up from the Blue River is really relentlessly steep, it may not be fun to do as a family hike if you've got young kids along. This hike also dips down into the lower, hotter portions of the Blue Range, whereas the route HikeAZ gives stays up in the cool, heavily forested parts.

Also possibly of interest: Bruce Grubb's Backpacking Arizona and David Mazel's Southern Arizona Trails both give descriptions for long loop hikes in the remote eastern portion of the wilderness. These areas are little visited, and trails may be difficult if not impossible to follow. Not the best choice for a family hike, but might be a good information source.

[big_load]

The Steeple Mesa trail coming up from the Blue River is really relentlessly steep ...

These areas are little visited, and trails may be difficult if not impossible to follow.

I hear my boots calling from the closet .