Backpacking Trails with Water...

[mrbeall]

So I grew up in the Phoenix area all my life... but recently attended my first semester at the University of Colorado in Boulder, and the second I got up here I went crazy with backpacking and trekked a few one night/two night hikes... and I absolutely love it.

Well for my spring break this semester (March 20-30), I'm coming home and figured I'd haul some of my gear back with me, and take advantage of the early spring warm weather.Basically I'm just wondering if any of you have advice on good two day hikes in Arizona. I imagine it is still a bit too cold around Flag and Sedona for such minimalist camping, but I'm looking for a place that me and one friend can make a two day trip out of somewhere during my break.

I had originally planned to hike the Ash Creek Trail #307 in the Palimeno Mountains (by Safford)... but when I called the ranger station they said there was still snow. (Although I didn't ask how much... maybe it is still pretty doable right now?) I really had my hopes up for Ash Creek, but if it IS too cold still down there, I was wondering what other trails you could suggest for our trip?

I was considering something through the Superstitions, but I am kind of pumpkin port about water sources and would like to know that wherever I go has a number of places I can restock on water. With that said, I'd prefer trails along some kind of creek that I can draw from and boil up water for drink/meals. I figure it's still early enough in spring for a lot of the seasonal creeks to still have water... any suggestions on creek/spring hikes that won't be too cold this time of year?

Also... I feel like I should mention this will be my first time actually backpacking in Arizona. I've been on a number of day hikes... but up to this point all my backpacking experience has been here in Colorado.



Any advice is greatly appreciated,

Thanks in advance!

[JoelHazelton]

Considering the upper Ash Creek Trailhead is around 9,000 feet, it would be no different than going backpacking in Flagstaff. That, and I believe the Swift Highway closes during the snowy season. Plenty of the creeks in the Superstitions still have water. Just yesterday I took a hike that passed by Whiskey Springs in Whiskey Springs Canyon (great campsites) and Upper LaBarge Box (decent campsites), and they both had plenty of water. You could make several loops in that area and have many options of places to camp. Charlebois, LaBarge Springs, and Bluff Springs would all be good places to camp. Just buy the forest service map for the area.

[mrbeall]

Awesome, thats great news.

I'll definitely have to pick up a topo map of the Superstition area when I get home. I probably won't get a chance to actually go backpacking until Tuesday the 25th... if the streams were flowing when you were there yesterday, do you think they will still have water a week and half from now? Like I said, I've never backpacked through AZ before, and have really no concept of how fast these places dry up.

Thanks for the great advice.

[fairweather8588]

With the amount of water that is in the Superstitions right now, it'll be longer then 2 weeks until it dries out. We got a looott of rain and snow this winter (a lot as far as AZ is concerned at least)

[joebartels]

The forest map is good for the entire forest as an on the road driving tool. For the Superstitions I'd suggest the Beartooth Map. Available at REI or Wide World of Maps. Beware of WWofMaps if you haven't been before, it's a hikers candy store.

Water shouldn't be a problem. Conditions are decent all around. If you don't go soon just look further north or to the sky islands like the Pinalenos or Catalinas.

[JoelHazelton]

I second that WW of Maps is a hiker's candy store. I have to go there with tunnel vision, otherwise I'll never leave without spending at least 50 bucks.

[mrbeall]

Beware of WWofMaps if you haven't been before, it's a hikers candy store.

Haha, is that the place on Alma School and Southern? If so, yes... I never leave that place without buying something I didn't really need.

Water shouldn't be a problem. Conditions are decent all around. If you don't go soon just look further north or to the sky islands like the Pinalenos or Catalinas.

Unfortunately I have to be back in school by April 1st... but its a long summer ahead, hehe. I would definitely prefer to go somewhere like the Pinalenos, the pictures look amazing, but if there are no areas like that which will be warm enough to backpack before I leave, I will happily settle for the desert landscape instead.

Any other trail suggestions?

[azbackpackr]

What about areas near the Verde River, (north of Cave Creek) or West Clear Creek or Wet Beaver Creek near Camp Verde? There are some good ones around Payson too--Hell's Gate, etc. All of these generally run year-round.

[Ckzona]

Lower ash creek is probaly nice. Maybe 50-60 degrees at the warmest. Also oak creek canyon could be nice. Maybe some snow left and it should not be to crowded yet. Lastly maybe eagle creek roughly east of payson.

[JimmyLyding]

Oak Creek Canyon is not too cold right now, but it's not really a backpacking destination. I camped at Pine Flat West for 2 nights, and it was cold, but not too bad. Got down into the low 40s at night, but I bet that any place that's not in a canyon warms up pretty quickly.

[joebartels]

I think this guy is long gone...
If anybody else is looking here's the answer to the topic question Backpacking trails with water. To find the lowest elevation hikes click "TH Elev" twice ;)

[JimmyLyding]

I thought that these posts were retroactive. Are you telling us that these posts don't go back in time?

[azbackpackr]

[rushthezeppelin]

As others have said there's still tons of water in the supes and it will probably be there for a while. Right near labarge spring was flowing quite nicely this last weekend when I camped there.