Saguaro Super-loop

[rally_toad]

I'm interested in doing this big loop in the Eastern district of Saguaro... Tanque Verde Trail, to Grass Shack trail, to Manning Camp, take Cow Head Saddle back down to Douglas Spring, and then take The Cactus forest trail back to the car. Looks to be at least in th 35 mile range. so this could be done as an intense 2 day trip, or a more relaxed 3 day 2 night trip (the dates that would probably work best for a 3day would be, Friday after thanksgiving to that sunday).

If anyone is interested please let me know, we can get it all set up and apply for a permit a good month in advance.

[azbackpackr]

I can't make it but will put in a plug for you! You guys should check this route out if you have the chance! It will be a really great hike! All the life zones: everything from saguaros to spruce. Check this out: http://www.nps.gov/history/history/onli ... /nh4af.htm

[Jeffshadows]

I would suggest making it a three day trip. There's a lot of elevation gain and loss hidden up there beyond Juniper Basin. Just my $0.02; I'd love to go if I didn't already have plans that weekend. You'll really enjoy those trails and the solitude back in there.

[berkforbes]

I'm def interested.. ive been lookin to get in on a group hike, and this sounds like a really nice trip from what ive read about it.. Do you happen to know the aeg for this?

[dysfunction]

I could be down, work, wife and kids depending.

[Jeffshadows]

I'm def interested.. ive been lookin to get in on a group hike, and this sounds like a really nice trip from what ive read about it.. Do you happen to know the aeg for this?

You lose elevation after TV peak and then again en route to Manning; same thing on descent, there's loss and gain as you pass through the saddles. I don't have the map sitting here, but I would hazard a guess that it's close to 6200-6500 for the trip.

[BobP]

I'm interested in this one. I was planning on doing Manning camp anyways.

[big_load]

You lose elevation after TV peak and then again en route to Manning; same thing on descent, there's loss and gain as you pass through the saddles.

Yes, and the steepest part of it is unshaded from the afternoon sun. I did an out-and-back from the headquarters to Manning Camp in four days. Three days back to Douglas Spring seems pretty reasonable. The critters are pretty bad at that first camp.

[rally_toad]

I think I'm leaning towards a three day trip on this one. This would be for November 27th, 28th, and 29th. I do not want to camp at Manning though, I'd prefer to camp lower elevation both nights since this is getting to be the time when it can get cold up there. I'm thinking maybe night 1 at Douglas Spring, night 2 at Juniper Basin, and stop at Manning for lunch break the 2nd day. (Jeff... could we expect water in both places that time of year?)

So we will tentatively schedule this for starting the Friday after thanksgiving, and thru that sunday. I will fax in for the permit exactly 3 weeks before, so lets get a good group together by November 6th.

This will be a fun, tough trip, lots of elevation gain and loss during the whole hike.

[Jeffshadows]

Douglas is dry, now. Lots of other places to get water near Manning, though...

[writelots]

This sounds like an awesome hike - I love the Rincons. Tricky weekend, though. I don't know what's going on yet. The descent back into Tucson is so beautiful.

[rally_toad]

This will be a great hike, and will be so much better than spending Black Friday in any place where people buy things.

[dysfunction]

I'd sooner have my toe-nails removed than go shopping on black friday.

[Al_HikesAZ]

I'm fairly serious. Sounds like an interesting trip and I don't know much about that area.

[rally_toad]

for anyone who was thinking about coming on this. Im actually thinking that on Thanksgiving Im going to head out to Joshua Tree for a long weekend there instead, probably mostly car camping with some good dayhikes some that I've never done and a few that I havent done for a while. (Boy Scout Trail, Lost Palms Oasis, Willow Hole, Twin Tanks, Ryan Mountain and Rattlesnake Canyon to name a few).

So if anyone is interested in that trip instead just go ahead and shoot me a pm.

[dysfunction]

I was thinking about this trip the other day.. good call for Joshua Tree, there is no water at Manning per the ranger I talked to last week.. which means that the Rincon's are pretty much dry.

[rally_toad]

No water at Manning? Wow. that means definitely no water at planned campsites, no way I was going to haul 3 days water up those mountains.

[Jeffshadows]

There is water near Manning. That pump up there has been dead for a long time.

[dysfunction]

I might stop by again this afternoon, as I'm planning on a ride through the park, and grill em more.. my conversation was pretty much a casual one, so who knows.. the comment was that it was the first time she'd seen it so dry, which I believe. I know I'll be asking again this fall, but for the moment I had nothing really planned up there..

[Jeffshadows]

Italian and Spud Rock springs almost always have water, even in the driest years.