Help for Texan coming in January

[steelfrog]

Hello Arizonans! We're coming to Arizona for the Fiesta Bowl, and wanted a hike convenient to our route (I-10 into Phoenix). I am at the beginning of my research on this, and have looked into the Chiracahua Mts., the Huachaca Mts. and the Santa Ritas, but I am thinking about trying to do something in the Superstitions it looks like. BUT I would very much like all of your recommendations for what to do. Could also do Saguaro.

So, taking into account the weather and basically one full day, and that we are experienced hikers (just did Whitney in September--have done much hiking in the Sierras, Yosemite, Utah, Colorado, Texas), what do you think we should do? I'm thinking of something without ropes. Thank you very much!

[berkforbes]

I asked a tonto ranger if he knew the best places to find alligator juniper (for my wood collecting permit) he looked at me like i had 3 heads..

i called the ranger up near san jacinto peak to get a weather update, i asked if the snow is accumulating and she said "the snow is snow" lmfao that was helpful..

i do owe it to myself tho to make it down to the Cahua's one of these days...

[steelfrog]

Some rangers are better than others, of course. Seasonal rangers are the least predictable. Sometimes great, sometimes horrid. You have to understand where they are coming from, I guess. Some of them drink the ranger coolaid and will tell you, "No, there's no user trail up that peak." when they know darn well there is--they just don't want you going up there. The ones in the Whitney Zone I have found to be very kind--I have inadvertently broken rules and rather than ticket me, they just let me know the rule and move my camp or whatever. Many of them seem ignorant about altitudes, especially ones in Yosemite, of all places. Telling me, e.g., that Half Dome is 11,000 feet, when it's not even 9, for example.

I'm excited about the Chiracahuas--I hope the weather holds out. We'll go so long as the road is open--just strap on some crampons. Trails are in good shape right now, I was told.

[JimmyLyding]

Enjoy your trip, and let us know how it went. I'm still trying to score some Fiesta Bowl tix so I can be the first kid on my block to go to 2 bowl games in one year (I'm going to the Holiday Bowl to see my beloved 'Cats on Dec. 30).

[steelfrog]

I'm a little bummed out right now. That little storm that came through last couple days dumped 6 inches on the visitor center at Chiracahua and more higher up, and the park road to the top is closed right now. We have a week to go, but looking a little bleak. Any other suggestions for SOMETHING to do there for half a day? Saguaro? I've heard it isn't worth the effort. What's my bad weather backup folks? Many thanks.

[Jeffshadows]

Saguaro is always worth the effort, that's nonsense. Every trip is what you make of it. A good way to make a lot out of a visit to Saguaro would be go in and do a section of the Tanque Verde Ridge trail, especially this time of year. Another option is Douglas Camp Trail to Bridalwreath Falls.

[imike]

...and, unless it is iced up, there remains the easily accessible Finger Rock trail to Mt. Kimbell...

[Jeffshadows]

Kimball. ;)

[JimmyLyding]

There's a good chance that Chiricahua will be in good shape. However, I echo Mr. Jeff's and Mr. imike's recommendation to do Mount Kimball via Finger Rock. Consider that hiking from Phantom Ranch to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon is roughly 9 miles and 4500 vertical feet while Mount Kimball via Finger Rock is 5 miles (one way) and 4200 vertical feet, and the 1st mile has about 300 feet of gain. Kimball is a much tougher trail, but it's worth it. Toughest hike in the Tucson area for my money.
A good alternative would be Tanque Verde Ridge.

[rushthezeppelin]

Well howdy fellow Texan (born in Houston raised in DFW here). I might be a bit impartial to this since it's so close to the valley but I highly recommend the Superstitions, especially this time of year as there is generally more water sources and the temps are just perfect.

[JimmyLyding]

Steelfrog, are you planning on hitting something from metro Phoenix or on your way from Texas to Phoenix?
If you're hitting something on the way in then I would wholeheartedly recommend Tanque Verde Ridge. If you're going to be rolling out of your Phoenix location then check out Skull Mesa north of Cave Creek.
Boulder Canyon from Canyon Lake in the Superstitions is also a great intro to that mtn. range. This hike is cool because you can get a lot out of it if you go 4 miles or 15 miles, and it's a nice workout, but not a brutal deathmarch like Mount Kimball. Mt. Kimball will give you some nice chops, however.
Pima Canyon just outside of Tucson is a very cool hike that also ends up on top of Mt. Kimball, and is easier to access from I-10 than Tanque Verde Ridge.
Of course you could always check out my beloved Pinal Mountains, but they're a bit out of the way. Snow would probably be a problem, and I'm jonesing to get up there again.

I assume you're staying near the stadium out in Glendale, but unfortunately there isn't much near there. There are some good hikes in the NW Valley, but nothing I would recommend to an out-of-towner who's looking for something that rocks the house.

[JimmyLyding]

What happened steelfrog? Sorry about your Horned Frogs in the Fiesta Bowl, BTW. Hope you got to enjoy the Chiricahuas.

[azbackpackr]

Try sending him a pm, in case he has that function set up to receive an email. (I have mine set up that way.)