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Hello Arizonans! We're coming to Arizona for the Fiesta Bowl, and wanted a hike convenient to our route (I-10 into Phoenix). I am at the beginning of my research on this, and have looked into the Chiracahua Mts., the Huachaca Mts. and the Santa Ritas, but I am thinking about trying to do something in the Superstitions it looks like. BUT I would very much like all of your recommendations for what to do. Could also do Saguaro.

So, taking into account the weather and basically one full day, and that we are experienced hikers (just did Whitney in September--have done much hiking in the Sierras, Yosemite, Utah, Colorado, Texas), what do you think we should do? I'm thinking of something without ropes. Thank you very much!

Course, there is the very human factor.. for instance.. I think BA is still easier over all (although the stairs are a pain in the tookus) than Old Baldy

dysfunction wrote:Course, there is the very human factor.. for instance.. I think BA is still easier over all (although the stairs are a pain in the tookus) than Old Baldy

I agree, actually.

Steelfrog - give us a little more detail about what you really want in a day hike and I think you'll get more meaningful suggestions. You may actually want a lot of elevation gain, some people don't, etc...

Elevation gain is no problem. I guess I am really looking for great views, something interesting, etc. I will have from early morning 'til about 2 p.m. I am very intrigued by the idea of getting a shuttle up to Massai Point in the Chiracahua, and then hiking all the way down and around the Heart of Rocks and then down to the visitor center. But I was REALLY intrigued by what I found on-line about the Superstitions. Weather looks like it could be worse there, though. I think it's prolly a tossup b/t the Chiracahua and something near Tucson.

You will not be disappointed by the Chiracahuas.

Remember the Boy Scout medal they give out for hiking it?

Edit: Oh oops, didn't see new page.

Looks like the shuttle goes up there at 8:30; say I get there about 9. Massai Point to and around the Heart of Rocks loop looks like about 8 miles? And I would have 5 hours to do it in--seems like plenty of time. Is that a more worthwhile hike than going down through Echo Canyon?

steelfrog wrote:Looks like the shuttle goes up there at 8:30; say I get there about 9. Massai Point to and around the Heart of Rocks loop looks like about 8 miles? And I would have 5 hours to do it in--seems like plenty of time. Is that a more worthwhile hike than going down through Echo Canyon?

Nick needs to weigh-in on that...or Preston. I would argue that it is but it's been a while since I've done either, truth be told...

steelfrog wrote:Looks like the shuttle goes up there at 8:30; say I get there about 9. Massai Point to and around the Heart of Rocks loop looks like about 8 miles? And I would have 5 hours to do it in--seems like plenty of time. Is that a more worthwhile hike than going down through Echo Canyon?

Ah, now you're talkin'! I recommend the following route (from the shuttle stop at Echo Canyon TH):
Echo Canyon Tr to
Hailstone Tr to
Mushroom Rock Tr to
Inspiration Point Tr to
Big Balanced Rock Tr to
Heart of Rocks Tr to
Sarah Deming Tr to
Lower Rhyolite Tr to
Total: 9.8mi, 1600' Elev Gain

This route gives you the best of everything to be had in the monument. Because there is only one relatively short up-hill stretch, it's a cinch to do in 5 hours. I dawdle quite a lot, and it's not unusual for me to do it in 4 (unless I have Angela along ;) ) Then you're back at the VC, totally psyched and ready to do most anything! Tibber did a great job of photo journaling our trip there on this route... http://hikearizona.com/photoset.php?ID=8642&start=0

Awesome--thanks so much!

The Chiricahuas are one of the most unique things in this state. It would be cooler for an out-of-stater than the Superstitions, but weather is more likely to be a problem in the Chiricahuas than the Supes because of the higher elevation. Snow is somewhat rare in the (western) Supes, but falls every year in Chiricahua Nat'l Monument.

Hmm. Well of course i will be in touch with the Rangers on the weather issue, but sounds like I should plan a backup hike in the Supes.

azbackpackr wrote:Remember the Boy Scout medal they give out for hiking it?

Edit: Oh oops, didn't see new page.

Not sure; our Scoutmaster had an aversion to the Chiracahuas because he thought the hoodoos were the V.C. and they were going to come and kill him in his sleep or something (No, I'm not making this up.) I didn't make it down there until later in life, unfortunately...

Actually, Jeff, back a page or two, it was the medal for Mt. Kimball I was talking about. The Chiricahuas may have had patches available for the kids.

Jeff, my first backpacking trip after I had my kids was with 224 in about '92. Camped in Pima Canyon. We started very late in the day, and Trevor stepped on a rattlesnake in the dark. We camped in the trail because the little guys were having trouble. The whole crew proceeding along slower than molasses in January. Sound familiar? Then we hiked to Mt. Kimball the next day--some made it, some didn't--came back down same way, got our gear, and hiked out.

azbackpackr wrote:Actually, Jeff, back a page or two, it was the medal for Mt. Kimball I was talking about. The Chiricahuas may have had patches available for the kids.

Jeff, my first backpacking trip after I had my kids was with 224 in about '92. Camped in Pima Canyon. We started very late in the day, and Trevor stepped on a rattlesnake in the dark. We camped in the trail because the little guys were having trouble. The whole crew proceeding along slower than molasses in January. Sound familiar? Then we hiked to Mt. Kimball the next day--some made it, some didn't--came back down same way, got our gear, and hiked out.

Hmmm. I might remember him mentioning some of that, yea.

Steelfrog,
I wouldn't rely on the rangers for much help. Some individuals are quite helpful, but you will most likely get a glorified secretary who knows far less about the particular National Forest/Monument than members here. Keep an eye on the weather as SE Arizona in late December ranges from stunningly gorgeous to blizzards. Go with the Chiricahuas, but you'd probably want to hit it on the way to the Fiesta Bowl as the National Monument is 4 hours away from Phoenix, and you'll real close to it if you come in via I-10.
If you're coming in via I-40 then there's a whole different discussion....

Yep--that's my plan is to drive 12 hours or so Sunday and stay in either Bowie or Portal, or just car camp somwheres, and then hit it Monday morning; be done by 1 and head up to the game. I know, cutting it close, but if I don't see the first few minutes of the 6 p.m. game, what the hey!

Just had a 40 minute convo with a Ranger at Chiracahua--man, she was on top of everything. Gave me places to stay and everything. Great stuff

Wow a helpful ranger? you should go buy some lotto tickets.. maybe stop by the casino on the way home from work..

Actually - I've found that whenever I've consulted a ranger at Chiricahua, I've gotten good intel. The last 3 times I've taken the shuttle, I've had the same ranger tour guide/limo driver. She's been up there for over a decade and she's smart as a whip. Even remembers faces (like mine!). Just another way that range rocks! :wlift:

If you want to "give back" for that personal attention, a complimentary email to some higher ups (search the USFS website) recognizing her is gold for a federal employee.