Writing a Tonto NF guidebook

[tonyp]

Greetings all,

I have been contracted to write a hiking guide for the Tonto NF, and all that entails. Which means I need to select about 40 good hikes from the 196+ listed trails and not so listed trails. I am in the process of plowing through the many hike descriptions on this site and a few others, looking for clues to narrow down my itinerary, but I would appreciate suggestions from the community as to what hikes are too cool to be left out of a guidebook.

I'm fairly set on where I want to go around the Rim, and around the low deserts. What I'm really looking for are reasonable hikes in and around the Mazatzal and Superstition WA's - particularly day hikes - which comprise most of the book.

A few limitations you should know about:
*) Part of my submission on each hike includes a GPS generated map - which means I actually have to hike the hike (not an unreasonable requirement, when you think about it).
*) I'm trying to avoid bushwhacking.
*) I'm trying to avoid trailheads that can only be reached by HC 4WD's. Most people don't have access to these things. Anyway, my primary vehicle is a Buick sedan.
*) I have a day job.
*) My final deadline is end of June 2008.

Any input would be appreciated.
Thanks,

Tony Padegimas

[nonot]

Mazatzal Divide Trail

*) I'm trying to avoid trailheads that can only be reached by HC 4WD's. Most people don't have access to these things. Anyway, my primary vehicle is a Buick sedan.

Check

*) My final deadline is end of June 2008.

check

*) Part of my submission on each hike includes a GPS generated map - which means I actually have to hike the hike (not an unreasonable requirement, when you think about it).

um...you have a GPS...so...check

*) I have a day job.

OK, just take two weeks off

*) I'm trying to avoid bushwhacking.

err, nevermind

[JoelHazelton]

LaBarge Box

[azbackpackr]

Who's your publisher?

[Grasshopper]

"A few limitations you should know about:
*) I'm trying to avoid bushwhacking.
*) I'm trying to avoid trailheads that can only be reached by HC 4WD's. Most people don't have access to these things. Anyway, my primary vehicle is a Buick sedan."

Tony,

Regarding bushwhacking- For these to be chosen hikes, what is your definition of bushwhacking?
Regarding TH access- For these to be chosen hikes, is a Buick sedan to the TH, the vehicle example we should use in recommending Mazatzal & Superstition Wilderness hikes?

[nonot]

No Bushwhacking? Half the fun is getting an Arizona pinstriping job on your legs and arms.

[azbackpackr]

Anyone know who the publisher is going to be? Just curious.

[tonyp]

In answer to various questions:
My concerns with bushwhacking are:
1) this guidebook is written with lower-skilled hikers in mind
2) I have 200+ trails to work with without bushwhacking and
3) I have a hard enough time finding some of these "trails" anyway.
That said, I am comfortable including a hike that goes up a wash, or along a ridge-top or from cairn-cairn, but it had better go someplace really cool to rise above my surplus of established routes. I am not including anything with the phrases "free-climbing" or "dead reckoning" or that requires a machete.
This has as much to do with space as it does with skill level. I have room for 40 hikes. Bushwhacking is one of the filters I use to get down to that number.

The Buick situation is along the same lines, though I am not as hardline about that. I lose too many TH's if I limit myself to a sedan. However, that's the windshield my Tonto Pass is affixed to, and the ignition system to which I have keys. Other vehicles are accordingly more troublesome. Trailhead access is still more of a tie-breaker than a deal breaker.

The book will be published by Menasha Ridge Press in Fall 2008.

Thanks all.

Tony