Need some suggestions....

[driftwood]

I'm looking for a good shakedown hike, near Phoenix, that's between 8-12 miles. I'm looking for something easy to moderate, where I can hike in, camp overnight, and hike back (or a loop). I want to get stuff worked out with my gear. I scanned the trails in the TrailDEX, but was hoping for some suggestions.

[Grasshopper]

I'm looking for a good shakedown hike, near Phoenix, tht's between 8-12 miles.

Since you live in the east valley, here is a winner (just south of Globe,AZ) as a dayhike or overnight backpack and should have water too(Six Shooter TR#197.. http://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=505 ). Suggest you park and start hiking in from the highly recommended upper TH location- drive further up FR112 from the lower TH located at the intersection of FR112/FR112A. There should be first water for filtering or treating close to the intersection of this TR197/TR192-Telephone TR at an old mine void on the left side of TR197, just before the trails intersection. You should not have any problem finding a spot to camp further "UP" TR197 or a short hike in on TR192 from this intersection. Parking and hiking in from this upper TH for TR197 only cuts off about 1mile of the one way distance, but gets you to a higher elevation in the trees to start your backpack. Suggest you bring extra H20 just in case.. ;)

[DarthStiller]

Peralta TH or 1st water TH has alot of decent loops available. not too far of a drive and the hikes aren't hard in terms of route finding. There are also some reliable springs (Charlebois, Bluff, LaBarge) that are easy to make part of a loop hike.

[hikeaz]

If not already in your arsenal you might consider the terrific book "Hikers' Guide to the Superstition Wilderness". Check Amazon or your local library. There are myriad suggestings for loops and modified loops within the Sups described in the book. The authors also do a good job of imparting some local history of the various areas.

[azbackpackr]

Ditto Charlebois Spring, ditto book mentioned above. By the way, Charlebois is pronounced "Charlie Boy" locally. The Supes are where I'd start for sure, especially since this time of year it is starting to cool off. If you had asked the question in June I would have said Payson or somewhere else.

Don't be put off by huge numbers of cars in the parking lots at Peralta or First Water TH's. Hike in several miles, you will lose most of those folks.