Looking for an easy overnighter close to Tucson.

[domromer]

My wife and I are trying to go backpacking this weekend. We'd like something no more than 2 hours drive from Tucson. Were looking for a hike that has permanent easy to find water and a hike the is less than 5 miles each way. Scenic and interesting would be nice as well. I'd like to find something in the Sky Islands south of Tucson as we've just moved here and haven't hikes outside of Saguaro yet.

[Jeffshadows]

If you're willing to increase the drive to three hours your options increase, somewhat.

Otherwise, you have two really good choices: Catalinas or Santa Ritas. If usable water and a nice trip are necessities, I'd suggest Dutch John Spring trail in the Ritas or Butterfly in the Catalinas. Other options include:

-Catalinas-
-Park at General Hitchcock and hike a little ways back in to Horse Camp spring
-Wilderness of Rocks (thereabouts) or summit trails atop Lemmon, all of which go past a series of springs and a creek
-Lower Bear on Lemmon

-Ritas-
-Agua Caliente, Florida, and the eastern approach trails all sport at least one spring and a nice elevation gain.
-The Bog-Kent loop is nice, but it isn't exactly rife with great camping spots, save near the springs themselves...creativity will go a long way, there.

Have fun!

[domromer]

If I were to expand my drive to 3 hours, what other options would I have?

[Jeffshadows]

You could add in all of the stuff out near Safford, the Huachucas, Chiracahuas, and Organ Pipe...

[troehr]

The Chiricahua Crest trail in Cochise Stronghold would be good. It is a little over 5 miles to Anita Spring from the Rustler Park trailhead.

Maybe up to Sawmill Springs on the Florida Saddle trail down by Green Valley. A little over 5 miles once again.

[writelots]

I second the Chiricahua Crest - I did a hike there in September and the views were spectacular almost the whole way. However, be warned that you are above 9000' the whole way and it will be cold. If you take a little detour without your packs out to Centella Point (don't use Bear Wallow - it's gone) you're rewarded with one of the most amazing vistas in Southern AZ (IMHO).

Josephine Saddle in the Santa Ritas is a nice hike - there are some good views along the way and reliable water at Sprung Spring. You can also do the Super Trail/Josephine Saddle trail as a loop which is fun - I think the Super is 4.5 miles and the shorter one is 3.5 - so it's a short jaunt. But, there are lots of cool places to go after you drop your packs with even better views and what not.

The other suggestion would be the Arizona trail segment in the Huachucas. If you start at the northern end and hike south you go through a number of beautiful canyons full of riparian veg which should be in fall color right about now. At about 5 mi in you're in Sunnyside canyon and there's a good camping spot at an old corral and dry well. That's a nice hike - pretty level and full of Arizona beauty...