overnight trip in the Tucson area

[Tough_Boots]

With an out of town buddy flying in this week, my overnight trip into Tonto might not work out. Rains are apparently coming. I don't mind risking time in the rain-- but my little truck might not get back home on those roads. It looks like those couple days are going to be pretty clear in Tucson. Does anyone have any recommendations? I don't ever hike down there and I'm not too familiar with the area or what gets a lot of traffic. I'm looking for something not busy and maybe up to 20 miles round trip. Any ideas? I'm stressed!

[JimmyLyding]

Manning Camp in the Rincons has been on my list for a long time. I'd (selfishly) like to see a recent trip/photos from that trip.

[chumley]

Personally, I wouldn't worry about the rain. Even if the worst possible forecast model comes true (which is highly unlikely) you should be just fine. Nothing more than 20-30% chance of showers ... even a good thunderstorm shouldn't drop so much rain as to affect your travels for too long.

[JimmyLyding]

In Arizona w/ respect to a weather forecast that 3+ days out, a 20-30% chance of rain means that world peace is more likely than measurable precipitation.
As for your trip, what kind of difficulty are you looking for? I'll try to help, but if you don't see many responses try to get in touch w/ HAZ users jeffmacewen, fricknaley, Writelots, or dysfunction.

[Tough_Boots]

yeah... I'm keepin' my eye on the forecast-- I know its a few days out and this is the desert. I just don't want plans ruined at the last minute when I have an out of towner and no date flexibility. I guess, too, I'm remembering a couple months ago when small rivers were appearing in the middle of forest roads all over the area that there was no way my Sonoma was going to cross. As far as difficulty, maybe something fairly moderate up to 10 miles each way or shorter if steeper. My buddy is pretty fit but I don't think he hikes on a regular basis.
Also, are there fees in the Rincon Mountain District and do I have to reserve backcountry campsites? I've been looking different places and getting different answers. Its a National Park but it seems like it has a lot of back doors. I'm cool with forking out a little dough but I like to know in advance. I'll probably just call the park on Monday and see what the skinny is.

[azbackpackr]

You have to get a permit for Saguaro National Park, and you have to camp in the designated backpacker campsites. I think it is still free. Just look at their website and see. I have a friend who hiked to Manning Camp recently, the snow was melting fast. It's probably mostly gone by now. The rangers will know--give them a call. Good choice, I think.

[Tough_Boots]

Manning Camp looks like a good one-- a real chilly grunt with a pack. This is also my first backpacking trip after back surgery 6 months ago so I'm kinda testing the waters with this one (a full day climb with a full pack, a hard ground, and cold overnight temp might be pushing it for a trial run). The stretch from Douglas Springs to Manning Camp looks like it might be comparable to trudging up out of Reavis Falls but having to pack two days water supply. Does that seem accurate to you folks judging from mileage and elevation gain? A lot of the Tucson area hikes don't have as much info as the Phoenix and Superstitions area hikes so I'm judging by numbers which isn't always the best but I didn't see a hike description for that route (did I miss it?). Another option might be to set up base at Douglas Springs and do a day hike up to Manning or the Fire Loop. I'm still hoping for Tonto, though. I'm becoming less worried about the weather, so we'll see what happens in the next couple days. I'm gonna call down to Saguaro, too, and see what the conditions are and some more exact figures. I'm judging Douglas TH to Manning Camp is around 13 miles.

[dysfunction]

There should be plenty of water at Douglas right now (and to be sure at Manning too). There was snowpack visible on the Rincon's for quite some time this winter, and a friend of mine reported the washes running down from Bridal Falls had intermittent water in them, I've seen those dry when everything father up was full. Check with the ranger station though, they'll have the latest dope. I normally make Douglas in a couple hours or so, it's about 7 miles to that point and another 6 or so to Manning.

[Jeffshadows]

It's just short of sixteen miles into Manning from the trail head at Douglas. It's also a total gain of just over 5500'. The trail loses elevation twice and regains it on its way from Cow Head into Manning. Additionally, that section from Douglas Camp into Cow Head gains about 1800' in 2.2 miles of sandy track. Douglas Spring is dry and has been for a long time. Keep all of this in mind when you plan...

[dysfunction]

With all the precip and snowpack and it's still dry?

If that's the case, this summer is gonna suck!

[Jeffshadows]

Douglas is almost always dry save for some mud and has been so for decades but Grass Shack usually has water. It's something like 4.4 miles up from Douglas if my memory of what the sign at Douglas CG says serves...

One other thing I just thought of...The trail section into Cow Head might have water running through it if what Nick and the others who were just up high in the Rincons described holds. I went up through there one year during spring snow melt and ended up climbing through a small river part of the way...

[RedwallNHops]

2 weeks ago the creek was still running at Douglas Springs CG. If it's dry, there are a few pools upstream that I would expect to still have water. There was also water in the drainage before Cowhead Saddle. Lots of snow up at Manning as well.

[Tough_Boots]

Thanks for all the help everyone. If I don't end up at Manning this week, then its definitely one I'm gonna plan for. It looks like the showers are now be pushed back a little bit.