HikeArizona.COM

I'm new to hiking and backpacking but I'm looking for an overnight backpacking trip within a couple hours of Phoenix. Ideally, I'd like to hike about 6-10 miles, camp, and then hike back out the next day. Is there anything like this? I know in Minnesota we have shuttle services that drop you off 20-30 miles from your car and you can hike back to it. That would be perfect but I'm not too picky right now. Thanks.

Would Granite Mountain in Prescott be a possibility?

anyone...

Alright Krause, I've got it.

How about Chevelon Canyon? It's in Apache-Sitgreaves, which is still open. It's a bit further than Hells Gate, but not much. Check out my hike description for directions. It's creekside (although I am not 100% sure about that water right now, but I have never seen it completely dry), about 8 miles RT if you just go to Durfee Crossing, and should afford you some solitude once you get a mile or so away from the campground. That may not be too crowded anyway because of the NO CAMPFIRES ANYWHERE restrictions.

It may be a bit warm, but cooler than the valley! 'Sides, if there is enough water, the swimming is wonderful there.

You can access it from Rim Road 300. Last I checked, that road is still open.

But- please don't take my word for it- call ahead and make sure everthing is still open...things sure change quickly this time of year.

Good luck.

AZHiker4444,

Thanks for the idea. I think we'll head up to Chevleon Canyon this weekend. I picked up a map of Apache-Sitgreaves yesterday but I'd like to get a better map of the actual trial. Any ideas on where to pick one up?

Krause86 wrote:AZHiker4444,Thanks for the idea. I think we'll head up to Chevleon Canyon this weekend. I picked up a map of Apache-Sitgreaves yesterday but I'd like to get a better map of the actual trial. Any ideas on where to pick one up?

The write up here on HAZ references the write up in Hiking Arizona by Grubbs & Aitcheson (Falcon Books). page 150. You might want to look at that.

USGS Topos may not have the actual trail mapped. Many trails aren't mapped and many are mapped wrong.
The best places for maps in Phoenix are
1) Wide World of Maps, I go to the one at the Promenade at Scottsdale Road and Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd. typically $10/topo. National Geographic and water resistant treated.
2) The AZ State Land Dept at 1700 something West Washington?. typically $5/topo for USGS paper non-treated.

I often look at the Tonto Rim Search & Rescue site for trail maps of this general area http://www.trsar.org/topo_quads/topo_quads.htm but this area is east of their area.

Like Al said, you can pick up the topo for Chevelon Canyon at WW Maps, or even at REI (if they have it in stock).

However, I don't believe the trail is on the map. That is why I suggest that you use the write up here and pick up the book Al mentioned, and set your goal as Durfee Crossing. You'll know it when you arrive in this area- there is a picnic table made of logs there and there is good camp spots just before you reach it (just watch out for the ants!).

After Durfee Crossing, the trail becomes more and more diffcult to follow- you are basically rock hopping the creekbed and blasting through brush. It's quite an adventure and I would always recommend it, but as an overnight, it may be a bit much.

AZHikr4444 wrote:you can pick up the topo for Chevelon Canyon at WW Maps, or even at REI (if they have it in stock). . .

The REI by PV Mall no longer carries Topos. The Arizona Hiking Shack on North Cave Creek Road has a pretty good selection of Topos but they are sometimes out of the more popular maps.

I have never had a problem getting the map I need at WW Maps or the AZ State Land Dept. I go to the AZ State Land Dept at least once every year anyway to renew my State Trust Land permit and I pick up a few more maps each time.

The illustration of the trail in Hiking Arizona Grubb & Aitcheson (Falcon Books) page 150 isn't a topo map but it is a good guide to the trail. The book will be at REI and probably at any bookstore and most libraries in Phoenix.

We were desert mystics, my friends and I, poring over our maps as others do their holy books. Edward Abbey

Thanks for all your help, everyone. We're going to hit it up on Saturday and see how far we get. If we don't get the whole thing done, that's fine w/ me, either way we're out of the heat. I'm going to stop and pick up the book mentioned above tonight after work. Should be fun.

when i am planning for a trip, (prior to buying topo) i always check out this site for the area i am thinking of

Link

its a topo of the entire state that you can pan and zoom, probably want to access only with a high speed connection though

Thats pretty cool, Croc. Have to play around with it.

Thanks for the link.

In response to Crocodile Ryan's reply:

Awesome site! Why not just print topos off the site? You can get a full page print. If you have a color printer, you are rock'n!

Krause86 wrote:AZHiker4444,

Thanks for the idea. I think we'll head up to Chevleon Canyon this weekend.

Did you go?

Yeah we went up last Saturday AM. The weather was great and the canyon was pretty sweet. There was a "road closed" sign right where you turn in but we just drove around it. There were 2 groups of campers set up at the trailhead but we didn't see anyone once we got past there. Didn't get all the way in but definately a cool hike.