First time in Arizona! Suggestions?

[wsharber]

I am from Tennessee and I am planning a trip to Arizona in December/January. I am looking for a multi-day backpacking trip pretty much anywhere. I am mainly looking at the Grand Canyon though. If anyone knows any trails that would take about 3-5 days to finish, I am all up for suggestions. Also, yes I have experience backpacking and yes I can read a map well, since I know trails out west are much different than what we see back here in Tennessee... Thanks! I'm looking forward to getting this trip planned!

[hippiepunkpirate]

You need a permit for the GC...you'd probably want to stick to Bright Angel/South Kaibab and the neighboring sections of the Tonto Trail for your first time at the Grand Canyon

[azbackpackr]

You missed the best window of opportunity to put in for Dec. for GC. Tomorrow is the day to put in for Jan. (Aug 1 for Dec permit, Sept 1 for Jan. permit) However it is easier to get a permit in those months. Find all info on GC website, backcountry permit dept. You can also call them for info but first read EVERYTHING on their website.

A lot of 3 to 5 day backpacking trips in AZ are mostly better in summer, except for the GC. Dec and Jan not good months for long backpacks in the Blue Range, White Mtns, Chiricahuas, Pinalenos. Parts of the AZ trail would be good in winter, plus the Superstitions offer plenty of 3 to 5 day routes you could do in winter. You may get snowed on, though. January especially tends to be wet and snowy.

[Jeffshadows]

If you are interested in anything in the southern part of the state, I'm sure we can provide some suggestions. What level of strenuousness are you interested in?

[wsharber]

I'm going to be doing a lot of backpacking and hiking and training before then, so how strenuous it is is not a big concern of mine. I know my limits and know when to turn back in any case.

[Al_HikesAZ]

We have a great article for first time trips to the Canyon. http://hikearizona.com/article.php?ID=17
I love the Canyon in December and January. But you have to be ready for the weather. It can be -13degrees F on the South Rim and snowing and be 75degrees at Phantom Ranch 4 hours later. Lots of smart layering. You do need permits and as Elizabeth mentions, the December permits have been issued and January Permits are starting tomorrow. Sometimes permits get returned so you can try the Backcountry Office in the afternoon and hope for the best.

We backpack a lot in the Superstitions Wilderness in the winter. And who knows, you might be the lucky one who finally finds the Dutchman's Lost Gold Mine.

[azbackpackr]

And who knows, you might be the lucky one who finally finds the Dutchman's Lost Gold Mine.

Oh, don't encourage that! There are still 4 guys unaccounted for over the past year or so...

[big_load]

Yeah, but the Superstitions are great that time of year, especially if you don't mind carrying lots of water.

[paulhubbard]

Just browse around on the maps and in the hikes here on HAZ. Look at the ones in your desired mileage and difficulty ranges. I've lived in AZ all my life, and have found spots I never knew existed until I saw them here (like Barnhardt). This site is a wealth of information!

[wsharber]

So I have been looking at some trails... one possible route could be Bright Angel to Indian Garden (camp), then to Bright Angel Campground (camp), back to Indian Garden (camp) and then either Bright Angel or South Kaibab back. I was also looking at Bright Angel to Indian Garden and then taking the Tonto Trail over to Hermit and back up. Anyone have any suggestions for those?? And thanks to everyone helping..

[rdavisiii]

My first backpack in the GC was Hermits Rest to Hermit Creek, then down to Hermit Rapids, then from Hermit Rapids to Granite Rapids and from Granite Rapids back out to Hermits Rest. We did not see many others and this was October when I did it. I would think Hermits Rest to Hermits creek, then to Granite Rapids, then to Indian Gardens(or Horn Creek, carry water for this one) and then out Bright Angel would be a cool trip, trails are easy to follow and you will see alot less people then being on the main corridor. Heed the warnings, walking in the GC is not like walking anywhere else. Lots of places to disappear and lots of up and down. I came from NH to here and my first trip down into the ditch was a learning experience, I have hiked all over Appalachians in NH and Maine and none of it compared to the scale you will experience in GC.

[Al_HikesAZ]

Have you looked at photos here on HAZ of the GC in December. Here are some photos of my trip last December so that you know what you are facing
http://hikearizona.com/photoset.php?ID=9607
We had a permit for Bright Angel Campground (BAC) but a couple of days prior I snagged beds in the Phantom Ranch Dorm and surrendered my permit. It sure was nice having a dorm and heat instead of a tent.
You might not have snow, but you have to be prepared for ice. We had Kahtoola Microspikes for the ice. Stop at the BackCountry Office before you start hiking and check the status of the trails. If they tell you South Kaibab or Hermit is too icy, take their word for it. You might be able to hike it, but you won't really enjoy it.

That being said, I love the Canyon in the Winter when nobody else is on the trail. Beats the summer heat and tourons (our derogatory term for moronic tourists).

[azbackpackr]

So I have been looking at some trails... one possible route could be Bright Angel to Indian Garden (camp), then to Bright Angel Campground (camp), back to Indian Garden (camp) and then either Bright Angel or South Kaibab back. I was also looking at Bright Angel to Indian Garden and then taking the Tonto Trail over to Hermit and back up. Anyone have any suggestions for those?? And thanks to everyone helping..

The BA to Hermit is a nice one. Permits may be hard to get, though.

[nonot]

As an out of towner, if you are only going to be in town a few days, planning a trip down the canyon at that time may not be the guaranteed fun trip, though it may be nice. The issues are, as people have said, getting down into the canyon, since there will be snow and ice on the rim. Weather and ice may cause you to have to cancel.

At the river, it may be 70s high/30s low, and subtract 6 degrees for each 1000 ft up in elevation.

If you stay in the corridor you may be limited due to snow. Tonto travel should be possible, but there may be some snow.

The best trail I could think of would be the Beamer trail since it stays at river level. However access down the Tanner will be difficult in winter.

Many Arizonans consider December/January the perfect time to explore the deserts in the southern parts of the State. Elevations between 1000-4000 ft will provide nice weather. The Superstitions are popular, but there are other areas you might enjoy as well. Cave Creek interests me, as well as the Four Peaks. Clusters of trails to make a 5 day loop at low elevations are somewhat difficult to find, since Tucson area trails usually involve sky islands.

If you like camping in the snow, then the whole state is your oyster.

[hippiepunkpirate]

If you like camping in the snow, then the whole state is your oyster.

This statement must sound ridiculous to out of staters, especially back east, but damn is it true.

[big_load]

If you like camping in the snow, then the whole state is your oyster.

This statement must sound ridiculous to out of staters, especially back east, but damn is it true.

Yeah, Mrs. big_load used to give me a hard time because I think we had snow on four of her first five backpacking trips in AZ. I gave her an easy one in the Supes before getting her really cold in NM.

[base871]

Go to Havasupai. Kinda a grand canyon hike, and permits should be easy to get. Cool waterfalls, and there will probably be nobody there.

[azbackpackr]

Havasupai is probably not a bad idea, assuming there is no big rainstorm happening when you go. It will be kind of cold for swimming, though, which is one of the main reasons to go there.

[wsharber]

Well I do love camping in the snow. Went to CO and did a 14er 2 spring breaks ago (and it was still technically winter). We camped at 11,500 and it was -5... which was awesome haha. I love the cold. I am really considering the BA and Tonto and Hermit trails...

[azbackpackr]

I like that hike, too. I did it in that direction. If I ever do it again, though, I am going in the other direction.