Planning on Tonto and Apache Sitgreaves NF in May

[industriegigant]

Hello everybody. We are a couple from Germany who travel to the Southwest almost every year for camping and hiking. Next year, among other destinations, we are planning a route through two said National Forests. We plan to drive east from Mesa on the Apache Trail, north on 288, east on 260 and south again on 191 before continuing to New Mexico. We will be there in early May, which means that in some areas on the route it could probably still get cold in the night. As we stay in a normal tent we would very much appreciate some advise about where on that route temperatures are usually OK for camping early May, and advise on some day hikes on the route. We can do Campground camping or dispersed, it doesn´t matter.

As for hiking suggestions that would allow us to stay on the same camping spot for 2 or three nights in a row would be great, so that we do not have to pack and unpack every day to do the next hike. We plan to stay in the two Forests for about six days, so we´d probably would want to change our camping location on the route once. The preferred hiking time could be everything between 2 and about 6 or 7 hours, or up to approximately 9 miles. What we do like are scenic hikes or hikes that include some ruins or so. We do not want to see just trees on the hike. Loops are better than in and out, but not a requirement.

I know that there is this huge database on Hikes, but it is so enourmous and sometimes a little bit confusing if you ask me...

:thanx:

[garyc57]

Whew! Where to start?

The desert in early May - anywhere below the "rim", the temps can be over 100 degrees. Be careful! Take plenty of water. Hike early in the day, or later in the evening.

Be prepared for the Apache Trail - a narrow, winding, dirt road. By "narrow", I mean single-car narrow, without much room on either side. If you're afraid of heights, think twice.

Once you're east of Payson on Hwy 260, there are lots of camping area. One of my family's favorites is Airplane Flat or Upper Canyon Creek campgrounds. Both are free. Bring your own water, and carry out your trash. Follow the Young Road (Forest Road 512) south off of the 260. The campgrounds are in the neighborhood of 34.288008, -110.806476. Very nice wooded area.

Highway 191 south of Alpine (aka The Coronado Trail) is a wonderfully scenic road. (very twisty - be prepared to go slow) Again, lots of camping areas. My family camped for a week at Hannigan Meadow campground, again free. They have water there, though. Over 9,000' altitude. Some nice hikes in that area. But... We were there before the "Big Burn", and haven't been back, so I don't know what the forests are like. Someone else may be able to chime in, and answer that question...

One last warning - depending on the winter's weather (dry vs. wet), they may restrict campfires, and if it's real serious, they may close the forest, totally. Be prepared.

Have fun!
Gary

[CannondaleKid]

Good advice.
However, in my opinion, I would never even consider avoiding the Apache Trail for such a short section of road... the views along the full route are well-worth any short-term apprehension.

Be prepared for the Apache Trail - a narrow, winding, dirt road. By "narrow", I mean single-car narrow, without much room on either side. If you're afraid of heights, think twice.

If you have traveled and camped in the southwest for a number years I would believe you may have experienced roads similar to the couple-mile section Gary mentions. Even if you have not, by traveling northward on Apache Trail you will be against the wall on your right through the narrow part while vehicles traveling south would be against the flimsy, practically non-existent guard-rail.

I personally have an advanced fear of exposure and heights yet while traveling southward I have met and passed large RV's on the hill and by concentrating on the road I experienced very little apprehension.

I like your itinerary and I believe you will have a great trip!

[industriegigant]

Thanks for the advices so far. We are not afraid of Dirt or narrow roads, we have done many of those in recent years, so I think the Apache Trail will be OK for us.

Can anybody recommend some specific hikes on that route? Or a good hiking guide book?

[nonot]

By May you will want to be out of the low desert. Hikes starting around 5000 ft elevations will be the ones that are most enjoyable, unless summer comes early. Here is what Traildex has to say about something near Payson, which is near where you will be driving.

http://hikearizona.com/traildex.php?SHO ... PN=1&ID=34

[Grasshopper]

Here is what Traildex has to say about something near Payson, which is near where you will be driving.

I thought after driving the Apache Trail (Hwy 88) to connect with Hwy 188 at Roosevelt Lake, industriegigant planned to take Hwy 188 South to connect with Hwy 288 (Young Hwy) and then up Hwy 288 through the Sierra Ancha Mountains, then on through Young, AZ, to connect with Hwy 260 via Forest Road 512, then East into the Apache-Sitgreaves NF ? If so, they won't be that close to Payson when they connect with Hwy 260 East at Forest Road 512... Also, the elevations driving up scenic Hwy 288 and from the intersection of Forest Road 512/Hwy 260 East (at 7585ft elevation) through the Apache-Sitgreaves NF are going to be much higher than 5000ft elevation and thus much colder for any planned vehicle camping and maybe even with possible snow in early May .. I would also think that the upper ends of Hwy 191 (The Hannagan Meadow area) will definitely be snow in early May.. this area 9000ft+ elevation.

[azbackpackr]

.. I would also think that the upper ends of Hwy 191 (The Hannagan Meadow area) will definitely be snow in early May.. this area 9000ft+ elevation.

Yes, unless the White Mountains have a very mild winter. However, since they want to drive on dirt roads, once getting to Alpine, they could go down the Blue River Road and do some car camping--two campgrounds that will be empty, and some dispersed camping. May is the perfect time of year to hike Blue River country.

http://hikearizona.com/decoder=334
http://hikearizona.com/decoder=328
http://hikearizona.com/decoder=16541
http://hikearizona.com/decoder=16794
http://hikearizona.com/decoder=330
http://hikearizona.com/decoder=16797

[industriegigant]

Do you think there might be snow in early May on the roads (Apache Trail, 288, 512, 260, 191) as well or just on some trails?

[chumley]

Do you think there might be snow in early May on the roads (Apache Trail, 288, 512, 260, 191) as well or just on some trails?

By early May all those roads should be clear. 191 is at the highest elevation and may still have snow on the ground around it, but it is a paved state highway. Venturing off highway may be problematic depending on how much snow falls this winter.