Suggestions for 3-Day Backpacking Trip Near Phoenix in Oct.

[BIGDave072]

We've got a group of six guys putting together a three-day, two-night backpacking trip the second weekend in October and are looking for some suggestions on trails.

Half of our group lives in Phoenix and the other three are flying in from Colorado, Missouri, and Virginia. We'd like to be North and/or East of the city (probably nothing North of Flagstaff and nothing East of the Superstitions unless there's a place that's worth the drive). We're all relatively experienced on trails and in decent shape but aren't looking for anything too extreme, preferably covering 7-10 miles a day over mostly moderate terrain and elevation changes. We've been looking at trails in the Western Superstitions but have some concerns about reliable water sources because we'd prefer to not have to haul 30 lbs of water along with all of our other gear. We're planning on starting the trip on a Friday morning so we can get a head start on the weekend crowds but don't need anything so remote that we'll be alone for the entire trip.

Can any of you suggest trips that cover all or most of the criteria above and will offer the following things: Reliable water sources each day, great views/scenery, and some solitude. Loop hikes are preferred over out-and-back trails but we know we can't be too picky when it comes to finding reliable water in the desert.

Thanks!
Dave

[Tough_Boots]

I wouldn't trust water in the western Supes in October except for Charlebois and Labarge. You should look at the Reavis area in the eastern supes. Reavis Creek should be flowing near the Ranch and below the falls. There would also be a good chance for water in Rogers Canyon and along Frog Tanks. You could do all sorts of loops in there. Reavis Ranch is such an oasis that I would recommend backpacking there and using it as base camp for dayhikes. That's what I did last time I was there.

You could also do the Mazatzals. They'll definitely be water on the Divide at Bear Spring and Horse Camp Seep.

[te_wa]

Kyle has good suggestions. Loop from Miles Ranch trailhead into w. pinto/campaign/reavis etc...

or, Mazzies shuttle hike over 2 nights with a start at Peeley t/h going down to Sunflower.

Pinal mtns are nice, but steep! a great way to see 3 seperate climate zones in just 3 hours.

wish i had advice on Pinalenos, ive not been yet.

[Tough_Boots]

@te-wa

I'm not sure that Peeley to Sunflower exists anymore. I'm pretty positive Sunflower got taken out by the fire and there was quite a bit of destruction to the Peeley/Sheep ridgeline. I think I read that the Saddle Mtn. area got hit as well along that route.

[jdcollard]

I also would highly recommend Reavis Ranch...we have done 2 trips out there in the fall. It is an out and back hike but there is water, solitude, and amazing views. Our first trip we dumped our packs and did a side hike to the ruins on the way in...camped overnight...2nd day did a hike to circlestone...3rd day hiked out.

I don't know how to link things but we did a trip write up for that report if you click on our name, I was able to find it there.
http://hikearizona.com/triplog=39722

[kevinweitzel75]

I would have to agree with Tough_Boots and te-wa on Reavis. If you start on the north side of Reavis, then you could hit up Reavis Falls on the way to the Ranch.

[te_wa]

oh yes, sunflower fire. scratch that, then!

check out some stuff in Sierra Ancha. it's got some less-traveled areas like the Reynolds creek/rim trail loop. workman falls is along the way, and some ruins in the area too.

[VolcanoCLMBR]

The Pinalenos are a great place to beat the heat and feel like youre somewhere outside of AZ due to its altitude (9k feet), I remember seeing several suitable camping spots along the uphill Forest Road that can serve as base for day hikes around mt. Graham. I did Ash Creek trail and it was paradise there! It is bear country so take the necessary precautions!

[Trishness]

If you want something east of the valley, I agree with all the above posters about Reavis Ranch. Another great backpacking trip would be into Haunted Canyon but that is much further out and close to Globe. The western Supes are doable but again Charlesbois and Labarge are the only reliable sources.

If you are willing to drive north (I think you said no further north than Flagstaff) look into the Cabin Loop trail system (18.7 or so mile loop trail) on the Mogollan Rim. It will probably be chilly up there in October but you might also have some fall foliage and there are plenty of springs along the way. Several trails make up the loop...Fred Haught, U-bar, Barbershop and General Crook. It is also at over 7,000 feet so keep that in mind. U-bar and Barbershop can be tricky to follow so I'm sure everyone here would recommend that you download a GPS route.

[BIGDave072]

It sounds like the Reavis area would give us most of the things we're looking for. I've read that the hikes to the falls are more strenous than the hikes to the ranch but it seems like it might be worth the extra work.

I'm having a hard time finding a map that shows trails and geographical landmarks at the same time. Is there a practical way to cover both the ranch and the falls in the same trip or would that be taking on too much for a three day hike? Obviously I'll do all of my homework but I thought it might be easy to get some suggestions on what trails (and in what order) would let us get the most out of the trip without trying to take on too much.

Thanks again for the feedback, this site is an amazing resource!

[Tough_Boots]

There's not a convenient way to do both. In all honesty, though, the falls aren't worth the hike in autumn. That's a hike to save for the spring.

[big_load]

There's not a convenient way to do both.

Yeah, it would take the best part of a day to get down to the falls and a similar amount to get back.

[nonot]

It sounds like the Reavis area would give us most of the things we're looking for. I've read that the hikes to the falls are more strenous than the hikes to the ranch but it seems like it might be worth the extra work.

I'm having a hard time finding a map that shows trails and geographical landmarks at the same time. Is there a practical way to cover both the ranch and the falls in the same trip or would that be taking on too much for a three day hike? Obviously I'll do all of my homework but I thought it might be easy to get some suggestions on what trails (and in what order) would let us get the most out of the trip without trying to take on too much.

Thanks again for the feedback, this site is an amazing resource!

In my opinion, this is perfect for a 3 day trip.

Day 1: TH to Reevis Falls
Day 2: Reevis Falls to Reevis Ranch
Day 3: Reevis Ranch to TH (half-day)

You might miss out on the opportunity to go to Circlestone, but it would be fun nonetheless.

[te_wa]

Beartooth Publishing "Superstition Wilderness" map
books: Hikers Guide to the Superstition Wilderness original, or the West and East edited versions - great info there.

check the 'nearby hikes' in the middle-ish right side of each hike description, HAZ contents header top of page (A-Z)

[mazatzal]

This is an excellent itinerary by Steve:

Day 1: TH to Reevis Falls
Day 2: Reevis Falls to Reevis Ranch
Day 3: Reevis Ranch to TH (half-day)

You might miss out on the opportunity to go to Circlestone, but it would be fun nonetheless.

You could add a trip to circlestone on day 2 or 3 and leave packs at Reeves

[BIGDave072]

There are a few details to sort out but I think we've got a general idea what route we're going to take.

So now my focus is shifting to the weather. I can find data for average high and low temperatures in cities near the Reavis Ranch area but there will surely be some dramatic differences up in the mountains. Of course we'll keep an eye on the weather as the trip gets closer and will adjust accordingly but I was hoping that some of you might be able to give us an idea of what the weather will be like in mid-October. I'm guessing temps will be mild/comfortable during the day and a littly chilly at night but I want to make sure we out-of-towners bring the right clothes and gear.

Can any of you tell me what temps we can expect?

Thanks again for all of the feedback!

[chumley]

I generally choose actual Arizona weather-reporting sites at a similar elevation, though not necessarily close the the intended destination. Reavis is at ~4800 feet, which is about the same as Payson. So the numbers for Payson should be pretty close to the same as what you'll find there.
http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/cliMAIN.pl?az6320

Or select from any of these locations:
http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/summary/Climsmaz.html
(edit: apparently they also have a 21st-century map available now: http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/coopmap/)

In the week ahead of time, you can get a fairly accurate forecast from the NWS:
http://hikearizona.com/forecast.php?e=T ... swTWc9PQ==

In the meantime, it seems like you should plan for nights to be near or just above freezing, with days in the mid 70s. (Of course, Arizona's weather is wildly variable, and can easily range 10-15 cooler or warmer than the "normals")

[joebartels]

On this map, you can right click anywhere to find the forecast at the red crosshair in the center of the map

If you center on Rogers Trailhead and get a reading then on the Campaign Trailhead (Reavis Gap, Reavis School). You usually see a big difference in the summer. So I center on the Reavis Valley area and add 5 degrees.

[nonot]

There are a few details to sort out but I think we've got a general idea what route we're going to take.

So now my focus is shifting to the weather. I can find data for average high and low temperatures in cities near the Reavis Ranch area but there will surely be some dramatic differences up in the mountains. Of course we'll keep an eye on the weather as the trip gets closer and will adjust accordingly but I was hoping that some of you might be able to give us an idea of what the weather will be like in mid-October. I'm guessing temps will be mild/comfortable during the day and a littly chilly at night but I want to make sure we out-of-towners bring the right clothes and gear.

Can any of you tell me what temps we can expect?

Thanks again for all of the feedback!

Roll a 100 sided die numbered 1 to 100. Whatever it comes up on will be the temperature in October.

Planning more than a week ahead in October is tough. It will be 70 one week and 98 the next.