Memorial Day crowd avoider?

[azdesertfather]

Hey, if you were going to do a Sunday night-Monday (Memorial Day) camping overnighter with the family, where would you pick so that it's out of the heat and out of the crowds? Virtually nowhere will be secluded, but just not overrun with people? Would love to take the family fishing on Monday!! Thanks in advance...

[chumley]

On second thought, though, with those 3+ million folks up there... The southern ranges are terrible, miserable, bug ridden dens of illegal activity and make for horrible camping. Just awful. Don't do it. Head north young man. Yeah!

And don't forget that if the missus wears those pretty jaguar print [insert your own garment here], she's likely to be shot by gfd. :GB:

[te_wa]

Head north young man. Yeah!

same reason Im glad people flock to Fossil Springs. If we let them in on all of the other cool places, they'll trash them, too

[writelots]

And don't forget that if the missus wears those pretty jaguar print [insert your own garment here], she's likely to be shot by gfd. :GB:

Oh, man. You guys make desk avoidance fun...

[azdesertfather]

And don't forget that if the missus wears those pretty jaguar print [insert your own garment here], she's likely to be shot by gfd. :GB:

Yeah, who knows who might have chronic kidney failure and need to be put out of their misery...not to worry, tho, if you don't know, GFD can tell ya!
(ok sorry, bad joke)

[azdesertfather]

same reason Im glad people flock to Fossil Springs. If we let them in on all of the other cool places, they'll trash them, too

Yeah, and I bet there are going to be rangers out all over Tonto en masse this weekend trying to catch people who don't know/don't care about the fire restrictions...

[BobP]

Whatever you do have fun and be safe!!! And take some pictures.

[imike]

If it is about cool air and getting away, the Sacramento Mountains (NM) remain nearly undiscovered... though possibly a bit too far away for some. Even the established campsites rarely fill up here, and the hundreds of potential sites off of the myriad forest roads never see any attention. Camping on the higher roads puts you at 9,000'... at the midlevel roads, around 7500'. Unfortunately, there is little water and no lakes. Spring temps are highs in the 70's (hour or so daily) summer temps range 10 degrees cooler (monsoons really cool it off over here). Nights are in the 30's. There is some ATV action on the weekends, but not a great deal. For just being out in the high forest and off and away, it is hard to beat.

...there is also the option for a night in the Village enjoying the local theatre company... a very unique experience.

[te_wa]

what about Hazlett Hollow campground over by Horsethief Lake? 6080' elevation.

[azbackpackr]

Tewa, I am not too sure about that new avatar of yours... Hmm....

I can't say as I can tell you a place to car camp up near here where you won't see anyone. But any hiking or backpacking trail in the Springerville or Alpine Ranger Districts is likely to be pretty well deserted, except for Mt. Baldy and Escudilla. That does not include trails around Show Low, (Lakeside RD) which are all overrun with ATVs, despite being signed "non-motorized."

[azdesertfather]

what about Hazlett Hollow campground over by Horsethief Lake? 6080' elevation.

Wow, I didn't know a lake was out there! Good call. CampArizona.com says you need high clearance to get in there at least, if not 4wd. Do you know about that, te-wa?

[chumley]

I can confirm you need high-clearance to get there. The road to CK from I-17 is nicely graded (but a long trip). But the trip up the hill from town is unmaintained and nicely rutted. I don't think it would even be possible to drag the company car up that road!

[te_wa]

i would use 4wd if any chance of rain.. otherwise, a rental is good.

[chumley]

Don't forget to splurge for the damage waiver!

[Hoffmaster]

I don't think it would even be possible to drag the company car up that road!

I can attest that that is not an accurate statement. I have successfully driven a company car on many roads in the area and the ones being discussed here are very tame.

If you go to Horsethief Basin, the lake is stocked with bass and sunfish. It's a good time!

[azdesertfather]

Tewa, I am not too sure about that new avatar of yours... Hmm....

I can't say as I can tell you a place to car camp up near here where you won't see anyone. But any hiking or backpacking trail in the Springerville or Alpine Ranger Districts is likely to be pretty well deserted, except for Mt. Baldy and Escudilla. That does not include trails around Show Low, (Lakeside RD) which are all overrun with ATVs, despite being signed "non-motorized."

Do you think places like Fool Hollow Lake, Show Low Lake and Lakeside aren't going to be full in the Show Low area? They're so close to the road, I'm thinking yes...

[azbackpackr]

I'd say they are likely to be full but you may be able to call and find out. There is another lake by there with at-large camping, called Scott Reservoir, over off of Porter Mtn. Rd. There might be a restroom but nothing else there. But I expect it will be full, also. Are you looking for a lake to camp next to with kids? We did enjoy Show Low Lake and Fool's Hollow when our kids were little. I think with Fool's Hollow you can call and see about reservations. I am not sure about Show Low lake in that regards, it is a city park, (I think,) whereas Fool's Hollow is a state park. (The state parks people changed its name, without anyone's permission, to "Fool" Hollow, although I noticed the new road signs say Fools Hollow.) We liked Show Low lake back then because there was a campsite right by the lake, which we were lucky to grab.

Big Lake has tons of campsites, have you checked that reservations website to see if there are openings?

Mexican Hay Lake allows at-large camping, but they no longer stock it with fish because it dries up in the dry years. You could camp there, right by the lake, and drive up to Crescent or Big Lake for the fishing, though. To get to the campsite area by that lake, you have to go through a gate. You'll see it by the highway. Usually not many people camp there--sometimes no one is there at all on a beautiful summer weekend. And there is a good hiking trail by there if you can find it. It is the upper end of the South Fork Trail #95. Let me know, I'll give you directions to find it.

Hulsey Lake by Escudilla Mtn. has no campsites right next to it, but there is at-large camping at Terry Flat and a regular campground at Alpine Divide, right next to the highway. That lake used to be the little unknown fishing spot, but is now extremely popular. They had to expand the parking area.

And then there is Carnero Lake by Green's Peak, off FR 117. It has at-large camping right next to it, but only two or three sites. Could be good, or could be a party, hard to say. Very nice place when you have it to yourself, though. They do stock it but you would have to call G&F in Lakeside to find out when they last stocked it. Lots of at-large camping all around that area, though, but right next to the lake there isn't a lot of room.

Luna Lake in Alpine has a campground, but it is not right next to the lake. There is at-large camping along the road that goes behind Escudilla, not far from the lake. ATVers love that area, though, so might be noisy.

Hoyer Campground and Benny Creek campground in Greer are both very close to the three Greer Lakes, but you can't camp at-large by those lakes. Not sure if Hoyer has re-opened yet. They have been busy re-doing it.

Ok, I'm done. I don't know about the lakes on the reservation at all.

[Jeffshadows]

Reservation Lake will be packed; as will Pena Blanca, Patagonia, and Rose down here. Large bodies of water and natural water features are a crowd amplifier...

[chumley]

I don't know about the lakes on the reservation at all.

Hawley Lake is the most scenic mountain lake in the state (IMO). Set at an elevation of over 8100 feet, the weather there is always a few degrees cooler. But there's no dispersed camping, and the campground can be crowded. Then you have to buy permits for camping and fishing from the WMAT. And they are sticklers for rules, and are quick on the draw when it comes to their ticket-book (and your equipment will be confiscated if you can't pay the fine on the spot). So unfortunately, the peace and beauty of the place is destroyed by the fact that you can't ever relax because of all the rules. And unlike on the forest, you WILL see uniformed patrols quite regularly. I can get that at Tempe Town Lake!

[BobP]

Hawley Lake is definitely a pretty lake. Sunrise is my favorite for big fish. My favorite non reservation lake is Lee Valley Reservoir and after 2 years 273 is finally open. Lee Valley has fishing restrictions that keep some people away. Cresent lake is my favorite when the brookies are spawning.

[azbackpackr]

Oh, yeah, duh, I forgot Lee Valley. A lot of the people who fish there use those sit-in tubes. I think that is the one that has the northern pike in it. Winn Campground is right by there.