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[Ruby]

Hi guys! I sold my barrel horse and dually and bought a backpack. I'm ready to dive in and go. Spent 6 days in Grand Canyon and now not sure where to go. Any suggestions??

[nonot]

At this time of year for long trips, stay above the rim. Otherwise hiking in the morning is generally best. If you really liked the Grand Canyon, maybe you could check out Zion??

[Ruby]

Zion..in Utah? Sorry, still pretty ignorant on this; alot different than rodeo. I stayed down by phantom and did a bunch of night hiking to keep out of the sun. Full moons! I learned all about permits as I now have a $275 fine. Ugh. I did like Flagstaff - are there overnight hikes around there? Thanks a bunch for the input!

[Grasshopper]

I learned all about permits as I now have a $275 fine. Ugh.

.. and just continue to stay active on this great HAZ site and you will learn all the correct rules and much more. There is a wealth of knowledge and knowledgeable members on this site that are always happy to help.. I would suggest that you start with more day hiking trips, then ease into the ultimate outdoors- more backpacking!

[joebartels]

Just out of curiosity, if you don't pay this $275 fine...
The NPS will hunt you down or are we talking bad karma?

[fricknaley]

you can certainly head south into the sky islands in the summer...jus beware the monsoons. in other words hike early.

[Ruby]

Thanks a bunch for the info! Much appreciated. I asked the Very Important Ranger Bill what would happen....a warrent for my arrest! When substitute teachers go bad....

Where are the sky islands? What type of protection is allowed? I'm used to having a pistol (I'm not a nut - in Idaho you grow up with it) but now that I'm painfully aware of laws, I must conform!

[azbackpackr]

Come up to the White Mtns. around Heber, Pinetop or Alpine. Plenty of hiking trails, pine forests, not hot. It's a very large mtn. range in Eastern Arizona that is 300 miles long.

"Sky islands" are the smaller mtn. ranges surrounded by desert: the Chiricahuas, Santa Catalinas, Rincons, Santa Ritas, Huachucas, etc. Mostly in Southern Arizona. They are tall and have pine trees on them. Lots of trails. You can research them on this site, and also look at the websites for each of the many national forests in Arizona. You can contact ranger stations. You can also ask questions about specific areas on this website and there will be someone with an answer.

A guidebook such as Falcon Guide to Hiking Northern Arizona will be very helpful. Go to REI or Arizona Hiking Shack to look at guidebooks.

Arizona law as to carrying a handgun: You can carry a handgun unconcealed in a visible holster in the national forests or BLM or state land, but NOT IN THE NATIONAL PARKS. You can carry concealed anywhere in the state, except the national parks, by taking a short class and getting a concealed carry permit (CCW). You can have the gun anywhere in your car, you do not need to lock the ammo in a separate place from the gun (as you would in Calif.) You do not need a permit to own or carry a handgun, but you do need one to carry it concealed. (If you are a felon, all this is nul and void, of course!) You can buy a handgun at a gun store and you have to go through the waiting period, or you can buy one at a gun show and walk out the door with it, no waiting period.

Take time to familiarize yourself with the differences between National Forests, National Parks, National Monuments, Bureau of Land Management lands, Indian Reservation lands, State lands, state parks.

You don't need a permit to backpack in most places, but you do need one in Saguaro National Park, Grand Canyon National Park, Petrified Forest National Park, etc. You don't need one in the national forests. Thousands of miles of trails are available in Arizona for backpacking with no permits required. Comfortable temperatures for year-round backpacking are possible to enjoy by going to higher elevations in summer, and sticking to the lower deserts in winter.

[te_wa]

keep your eyes open for upcoming group hikes in the "hiking partners" forum. There is usually something going on every weekend from 4-10 mile dayhikes or backpack trips. Speaking of Grand Canyon, there is a R2R2R (rim to rim to rim) with an overnight stay at North Rim sometime in late October. Its 23 miles one-way. (pack l i g h t !) No permit is needed for dayhiking GC and staying at the north rim side.
I always post my upcoming trips even If I end up going solo, I think its just good practice to reach out. Im also, as many others on this site, eager to share knowledge and experience. Thanks for joining! ;)

[Jeffshadows]

Thanks a bunch for the info! Much appreciated. I asked the Very Important Ranger Bill what would happen....a warrent for my arrest! When substitute teachers go bad....

Where are the sky islands? What type of protection is allowed? I'm used to having a pistol (I'm not a nut - in Idaho you grow up with it) but now that I'm painfully aware of laws, I must conform!

You can carry any legal firearm as long as it's not concealed. This excludes national parks or monuments. To carry concealed you need a permit (Yes, this includes in a backpack...please don't make that mistake). The CCW permit means you can now carry any legal weapon concealed on your person. If you own a Class III machine gun that has a tax stamp you could carry it in your trousers, etc...

[Ruby]

Great info - I LOVE this site! I'm heading up to Flag to check out the freemont/doyle peaks. I'll leave my class III machine gun at home!
Happy Trails, Friends!

[Jeffshadows]

I was being ridiculous, of course

[cactusrose63]

Any suggestions??

Zion is my new most favorite National Park...National Monument really. In Utah. So much to see...be sure to check out Angel's Landing--but not in a lightening storm! Bad, very bad and scary too. Made it to the first platform which was amazing in itself, could not go on past that, but will return someday to go to the very top. Wait until after the monsoon is totally over though, you more than likely will get whooshed away in The Narrows. The Zion Lodge looks like a fun place to stay as well...anyone out there ever stayed there?

Look up some info on this site, and as recommended by another member, research National Parks, Monuments, etc online. Pictures and ideas abound out there. And be sure to ask questions on this site's forum, many very knowledgable hikers here with great information and ideas.

[fairweather8588]

The Zion Lodge looks like a fun place to stay as well...anyone out there ever stayed there?

Stayed there a few years ago, rooms were pretty nice although expensive which is to be expected

[Jeffshadows]

The Zion Lodge looks like a fun place to stay as well...anyone out there ever stayed there?

Stayed there a few years ago, rooms were pretty nice although expensive which is to be expected

Great food