New guy with a few questions

[point223]

Well first off id like to just introduced myself. My name is Kevin and i just found this site while looking for a hike in the Phoenix area. I ll be heading out around the 17th and wanted to do some light backpacking while i was out there. I was looking at the South Fork - Gold Ridge loop http://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=213 and thinking an overnight-er there would be fun. I'll only be in AZ for a few days then will be visiting my brother in California for the rest of my trip. If you guys have any suggestions on a better trip than the one that i found id love to hear your ideas. It'll be me and my dad doing the trip. Also if you have any tips/pointers/advice/ that would be much appreciated. Ive never backpacked out west before and I'm guessing its quite different than the backpacking we do in Ohio. I also saw that I couldn't get the GPS tracks since i haven't uploaded any. Is there any way I could get around this?

Thanks in Advance
Kevin

[big_load]

You should be able to download it. Did you click on the arrow to the right of one of the two GPS routes listed on that hike?

[joebartels]

Just upload a route. It can be from Ohio or any state for that matter

[JimmyLyding]

South Fork-Gold Ridge loops is an awesome, but pretty rough trip. I hope you're not reading any of the Falcon Guides' description of this hike because it's exceptionally inaccurate.
This loop has great scenery, exceptionally diverse geography, and the ability to hike from the high desert into the pines. However, it also has a lot of walking through the South Fork drainage on rocks and boulders because the trail is nonexistent for long portions. The Gold Ridge portion is fairly steep and loose, but it is scenic. Not too bad, but not a walk in the park.
These trails pretty much got destroyed during the 2004 fire, but I am pretty sure that portions have been re-constructed. A bunch of us did it on January 25, 2009 (go to the hike's link and look at the triplogs and photographs), and there were some portions of the trail close to Pigeon Spring that were reconstructed and marked with gigantic cairns even then. I've heard that there has been more trail reconstruction, and recent triplogs on this site indicate that, but this isn't a hike for running shoes unless one has ankles of steel.
I would wholeheartedly recommend this hike, but it it's pretty rough. We've had a lot of snow in the high country this season, so finding water shouldn't be a problem pretty much anywhere in the state that has a spring.

As for alternatives for a 1-night backpack trip:
*There are dozens of alternatives in the Superstition Mountains. I'm not qualified to give you help in that area, but this site has more than a few people who can tell you how to enjoy the Superstitions.
*Barnhardt-Y-bar loop just north of the South Fork-Gold Ridge loop
*Wet Beaver Creek from the Bell trailhead just off of I-17

[point223]

I dont have any routes saved on my computer anymore. Is there any way i could get someone to download the routs and E-mail them to me. Ill be heading to PHX on monday and starting my hike on thursday after visiting with my brother a few days. I think were going to go ahead and do the South fork-Gold ridge loop. It looks like a challenging but fun trip. If anyone else has any advice i would really appreciate it.

Kev28340 at hotmail dot com is the email.

Thanks in advance,
Kevin

[DarthStiller]

If you can get up FR143, anything up around Four Peaks has awesome scenery. Lone Pine TH is accessible by car if it hasn't rained recently. Taking the Four Peaks trail to the east side of the mountain will give some really stunning views. Alot of trails in the mazatzals are hit and miss in terms of fire and the trails getting destroyed and not re-built.

[point223]

Thanks Everyone for the input. I think ive settled on the South fork loop. From the triplogs it sounds like it should be a fun adventure. I do appreciate the input though. I still would really appreciate it if someone could email me the GPS for this route though. Ill upload my hike when i get back here but i just dont have any saved on my new computer.

[nonot]

http://www.hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=213

The reason people are not emailing you is there's two routes on the right side of the page for this hike.

[joebartels]

You have to contribute 1 route before you can down the thousands on site. Perhaps it's asking too much?

[nonot]

An ohio route would be good too, doesn't have to be from AZ.

[joebartels]

I just gave all member access, enjoy

[JimmyLyding]

point223 (roughly my batting average in Little League),
Please let us know how the trails look because at least one of us would like an update on the South Fork trail

[point223]

Thanks for the Access, Ill Let you guys know how it looks as soon as i get back.