Northern AZ Backpacking Suggestions

Rich Cantrell · Post by **Rich Cantrell** » Aug 09 2002 12:22 am

I lead a small Jr. High group (about 15 kids) and was thinking of taking them for a backpacking trip in Northern AZ, around Oct 15th. None of them have any experience. Can you recommend some hikes that are simple and have some good water sources? I've done a bit of backpacking in the past around Payson and Chevlon Canyon , but am looking for something new???
Thanks,
Rich

If you want, you can e-mail me with any info

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joebartels · Post by **joebartels** » Aug 09 2002 1:09 am

Hopefully there'll be a few ideas when the morning crowd hits in few hours as I'm not a backpacker/camper in any sense.

The first thing that comes to my mind is the weather. Mid October brings night time lows of 30 degrees around the 7000 foot elevation. I believe I'd stay lower around 3500-5000 ft.

Of course I'm a woose!

(zip it Hooli)

Rich Cantrell · Post by **Rich Cantrell** » Aug 09 2002 1:25 am

If you're not a backpacker/camper then what are you? From what I've read you're both??? Do you think it will be too cold? I'm not sure why, but I feel a bit more comfortable in Northern Az, although I must admit I've been lost a time or two? I 'm open to suggesstions....

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Rich Cantrell · Post by **Rich Cantrell** » Aug 09 2002 1:52 am

Let me know if you just don't have any info....
Thanks----Rich

CindyC · Post by **CindyC** » Aug 09 2002 4:12 am

West Clear creek at the Bullpen trailhead would be my suggestion. The trailhead is out of Camp Verde. Weather will be nice, the terrain is easy for quite a way before it gets difficult. Swimming holes, red rock, not usually too populated. That's my thought!

Have fun!

ck_1 · Post by **ck_1** » Aug 09 2002 7:39 am

October would be a great time for something in the Sedona/Verde Valley area....perhaps Secret Mountain area....just a thought

MaryPhyl · Post by **MaryPhyl** » Aug 09 2002 7:43 am

Winter Cabin is a short easy trail. I took my grandkids on it when they were just small. There is good water. In October there are Maples that turn. Less than half a mile from it you are on the rim and there are great views. There is a large open area for lots of tents. The only negative is that the road in there is a real bitch. Mary

jimserio · Post by **jimserio** » Aug 09 2002 8:58 am

I second West Clear Creek. Did this in June with DeCarlo and the trail pretty much runs along the creek most of the way. Plenty of opportunities for getting wet (get some water shoes and bring poles if you have 'em). The Bullpen was closed when we went so we approached from the east end of the trail and came back up via Blodgett Basin. Be careful if you do this loop, the Blodgett trail splits about a mile up and I took the wrong turn (went right instead of left). What followed was an hour of heading the wrong direction, eventually ending up on a nice cliff overlooking the river and one of the crossings.

Wet Beaver Creek may be a good option as well.

Coaster

CindyC · Post by **CindyC** » Aug 09 2002 11:48 am

Mary, Where is winter cabin?

joebartels · Post by **joebartels** » Aug 09 2002 12:06 pm

Northwest of Sedona

Sycamore Canyon

http://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=316

Looks like a grand idea to me! Now I wish it was October!

MaryPhyl · Post by **MaryPhyl** » Aug 09 2002 3:38 pm

Cindy--You head south out of Flagstaff on Woody Mountain road--then look at Teva's map. This same road crosses the top of West Fork--just a litttle bridge with a marker.

CindyC · Post by **CindyC** » Aug 10 2002 2:30 pm

Is the road to Winter cabin 4 wheel only? And how long does it take to get to the trailhead from 40?

MaryPhyl · Post by **MaryPhyl** » Aug 10 2002 5:35 pm

You need high clearance not so much 4 wheels for at least the last half a mile going in there. You could walk the last part from where the road goes bad--near some power lines if I remember. It takes about an hour to drive out there from Flagstaff. It has been four or five years since we have been to Winter Cabin. Many of the forest roads are not what they used to be now that logging has stopped--nobody maintains them anymore.