Overnight Ridgeline Help

[gmoss]

Hello Everyone,
My friend and I are coming in from Michigan to do the ridgeline including an overnight. We will start from siphon draw in late afternoon and camp not long after we get by flatiron.
Can anybody recommend a good spot to camp other then on flatiron? Or is flatiron good? Will that leave too much for the next day? We are backpacking May 1st or 2nd.

Also should we use a GPS? I have been up on flatiron a few time and studied the ridgeline terrain map many times.

Any suggestions or incite?


Thanks,
Greg

[Vaporman]

It's going to be too hot to do the Ridgeline then... You should stick to trails in the 4-6k foot range that time of year, like Sedona, Prescott, or Payson area for example.

[nonot]

It will likely be pretty dang hot next week, but if you start in the afternoon I think you will get shade when you are in the canyon, making somewhere near flatiron a good choice to camp that night as the sun sets, you won't find too much else that is sheltered at all. Make sure you start really early the next morning (wake up before sunrise, start hiking at first light) to beat the heat.

I'd also recommend each person bring no less than 2 gallons of water unless you want to pay for a rescue when you all collapse from dehydration. There is no shade on this hike once on top and you can get cooked, so bring plenty of sunscreen and a good hat as well.

You might enjoy yourselves more if you heed Vaporman's suggestion above.

[wallyfrack]

If you're spending the night you may want to bring 3 gallons per person. You'd probably use 1 gallon each the first night/morning for drinking/cooking. If you're coming in from Michigan you won't be used to the hotter temperatures here and may need to drink more water than us desert hikers. You don't want to run out of water on the ridgeline. When I was up on the ridgeline I didn't have cell signal. It would be best to save this one for cooler weather.

[big_load]

Yeah, it sucks, but I agree with Wally. For two days at this time of year I would start with three gallons.

[Grasshopper]

..and a needed 3 gallons of water is a lot of extra backpack weight to lug-up (straight-up) Siphon Draw making this already challenging hike, even more risky!

[SuperstitionGuy]

Superstition Search & Rescue has duffle bags full of equipment available for Ridgeline hikers/backpackers that get in trouble up there. When a call comes in to the Pinal County Sheriff's office for assistance they will have the Arizona DPS helicopter (when it is available) drop these duffle bags to you and then tell you to hunker down for the night and hike out in the morning. In the past this equipment was pretty basic as it was not usually returned to the SSAR team. Don't know the condition of it now but on one drop all the water bottles burst getting the sleeping bags wet. I.E. - no water and wet sleeping bags! What I am telling you is that the DPS and Sheriff's office don't have much sympathy for those who are unprepared and find themselves stranded up there. Be wise and consider the input you have received from the previous posts! :bigth:

[gmoss]

Thanks for all of your advice. Fine we wont go
I am not a mule and will not lug 3 gallons + gear up Siphon Draw.

Sooooo.... I am looking for something really cool, if possible in the Phoenix area what do you recommend? 1 to 2 night with water along the way, high difficulty not an issue but would like some shade.

I was thinking Reavis Falls or Rodgers Canyon???

Also, can you camp while doing Pass mountain ridgline?

Thanks again

[SuperstitionGuy]

Reavis Falls is a destination hike with little shade to it or back. Rogers Canyon is a better choice as long as it dosen't get to hot as you will find shade trees and other sights nearby. You will need a high clearance rear wheel drive or four wheel drive vehicle to drive to Rogers Trailhead. Water should not be a problem down canyon but you will still want to filter it. If the weather prediction is for very warm weather follow the HAZ posts suggestions for going north into the higher country. Whatever you do be safe and be careful out there....

[Davis2001r6]

I've lugged 3 gallons of water and camping gear up to Flat iron before, that was in November and it was no fun. One place you might want to consider is the 4 Peaks and Browns Peak. It's an easy 2 mile hike to a nice saddle that you could camp at. Then in the morning head off and climb Browns Peak, it's a good scramble with a few climbing spots, be sure to read the write-up on it first. It's not for everyone.

Also to road to the trailhead is a LONG rough dirt one. I've done it in a car a few times, but wouldn't do it in my own car again. I would do it in a rental though

[hikeaz]

Some ideas:
Sycamore Canyon near Sedona
West Clear Creek (NOT from the Bull Pen end)
Upper or Lower Woods Canyon
Cabin Loop Trail or sections thereof (FR 300 - Rim Road dependent)
Woods Canyon Lake to Chevlon Lake (or vise-versa)(FR 300 - Rim Road dependent)
Highline Trail (260 TH to the Hatchery)

Phoenix forecast: High in the high eighties lows around 57.

Sedona forecast: (good for Woods/Sycamore & WCC) Highline & Cabin Loop will be a few degrees cooler - Mid-seventies high with a low of about 43/44; much better backpacking temps IMO.

[te_wa]

previous suggestion to Rogers Canyon and on to Angel Basin is good. There was plentiful water at Angel Basin and the ruins in Rogers are very cool. Angel Basin was a cool 40° on Friday night.
Otherwise, a hike up Barnhardt canyon to a spot just beyond the Barnhardt saddle is a good option. Barnhardt trail is an hour+ drive from Mesa and you'll only have to lug water from the falls to the campsite, about 2 miles.

Kurts suggestions are great too, but you need to check when the FR300 (rim road) opens. Im not sure it is open yet.
*Edit: all roads on the Mogollon district are now open. Wahoo!

[Davis2001r6]

Barnhardt came to my mind as well.

[nonot]

To answer your question, there isn't really much camping on the Pass Mountain Trail.

Rogers Canyon or Barnhardt may both be nice, might be pretty cold on Barnhardt at night. Lots of mosquitos in Angel Basin (Rogers Canyon) until the smoke and wind drove them back.

[joebartels]

Unfortunately the Pass Mountain ridgeline is doggie dung laden from overuse/misuse by morons. You wouldn't want to sit yet alone sleep on any flat areas.

[gmoss]

Hey guys, I have decided on Browns Peak via Adler Saddle. I noticed downloading the GPS route is unavailable until you upload. Is there anyway to bypass that as I don't have an upload..... Joe are you listening ;-)
I sincerely appreciate all of your input and warnings and concern for our safety.... and now I will wait till the fall for ridgeline.

How long does it take to reach Adler Saddle moving at a slow to moderate pace? As I will be leaving in the afternoon and camping at the saddle I would like to set up camp before its completely dark. Also, is wearing shorts possible in the brushy area?

Thanks again
Greg
Only 15 hours till touchdown in the valley of the sun :GB:

[Davis2001r6]

I've never been on any of the trails on the backside of the mountain so someone else will have to answer for you. I was referring the saddle of the regular browns trail but thats only about a two mile hike, still a nice place for a camp, but might not be long enough for you. It does offer easy access to browns peak for the next mornings peak hike.

The route from Adler saddle I imagine will be much more of a bushwhack, you could do it in shorts, but I can almost guarantee you legs will be pretty cut up afterwards.

[joebartels]

I'm not certain on the bushwhacking. Must not have been too bad or I'd definitely remember it as I generally always wear shorts. The bigger concern would be figuring out how to get down the scree chute having never gone up it. In all honesty the gps won't help you in that tight steep terrain. The weather looks perfect for camping up there this week temperature wise. Might want to check those wind warnings first. It was extremely winding tonight out in the phoenix preserves. Brown's Saddle would be unbearable in high winds.

I think Reavis Ranch via 109 South (or Rodgers) is perfect right now weather wise with the cooler temps tomorrow, 84 forecasted for Phoenix The mosquito eaters and gnats are out but won't be an issue with the forecasted winds.

[Grasshopper]

Greg,
Coming all the way from MI, chose a "sure bet" that is less risky and less iffy.. and go to Reavis Ranch or Rogers.

Read Hansenaz's triplog for his 3/1/08 attempt on Brown Peak via Adler Saddle: profile.php?u=20028 Also, I really don't think there is a decent camping spot on Adler Saddle and IF the winds kick-up it will be worse!

Do hope you guys have fun whatever you decide to do!

[joebartels]

Oh yeah, after reading that it did remind me Alder Saddle is a short nightmare.
You do get all dusty and scratched up. Luckily it's short lived!