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Wanted to do some backpacking in Saguaro NP Rincon Mtn district. Found this loop which looks to be about 20 miles, totally doable in two days, spend the night at Manning Camp just about the half way point, water there year round.

This hike will be April 25th and 26th.

Loop starting from Miller Creek, spending the night at Manning camp and returning via Turkey Creek, walk the road back to the car, or have a shuttle of only a few miles.

te-wa wrote: Im interested in hearing more specifics about each days' travels - after looking at maps and pics

A few of us did this loop (in reverse of this intended route) a few months ago. We were the only ones @ Manning - saw no one on any of the trails. We DID have 2 vehicles so we avoided the road walk. The section up HB Ridge is nice, although burned off. Remember to turn around (looking south) and take in the views. Once up to the higher elevations there is a beautiful pine forest, springs, small creeks, etc. You will enjoy it, Mike, and there are myriad hangin' spots at the camp area - I sent you a few photos to your email.

got 'em, thanks. looks like a nice camp!

Well in order to do the road walk the first day when we arent tired we will park at Miller Creek, Walk the road to Turkey Creek Th, then take Turkey Creek trail to Spud rock and from Spud rock to Manning Camp. Not sure how much the road walk will add, maybe 3-4 miles. It looks to be about 8 miles to Manning Camp from Turkey Creek. Second day we will take the Devil's Bathtub trail to Heartbreak Ridge than hop on Miller Creek back to the vehicle, for about 10 miles the second day. Stop at visitors center before starting to get permit, that just seemed easier in case someone wanted to jump in last minute.

the road walk from tortilla to JF trail was quick, easy. Remember?
otherwise, i can take the truck too.
bring the HH~!
Zachary's Pizza will happen.

te-wa wrote:the road walk from tortilla to JF trail was quick, easy

Yep I remember, should be a piece of cake. Im looking forward to this one.

I am going to list myself as interested but I can not be 100% committed yet. I will update asap

rally_toad wrote:

te-wa wrote:the road walk from tortilla to JF trail was quick, easy

Yep I remember, should be a piece of cake. Im looking forward to this one.

Even a stock 2WD pickup could make that trip, if not...

aa7jc wrote:I am going to list myself as interested but I can not be 100% committed yet. I will update asap

Alright since your in Sierra Vista we could plan to meet at the Saguaro East visitors center saturday morning if you do end up coming, and then we would have 2 vehicles, thus eliminating the road walk :bigth:

Is Miller TH parking easily accessable with a regular van? (I dont have a truck)
BTW, If I have time this weekend I can drive up there and have a look.

Yes, you could get a van in there no problem. Last time we were there a few passenger cars were parked in there...

The road to the T.C. t/h had a few steep, rutted sections that were a challenge for 2WD (we did it in an F150 2WD (no ltd. slip) at the cost of one tire) - this was about 4 months ago.
The road may have been graded since (doubtful), but more likely the rains have added to the rutting.

It's all a matter of line choice...

This weekend (Sat) the access to Turkey Creek was in excellent condition. Not only were there passenger cars at the TH, there was a class-A motor home with the dealer tag still on the window. Giant mother-pumpkin. You should have no trouble in whatever you choose to drive.

Also, the TC trail was in wonderful condition, or at least the parts that weren't covered in snow appeared to be. With all that snow, you guys should have plenty of water at the Bathtub and any springs you cross. Great hike - have fun!

writelots wrote:This weekend (Sat) the access to Turkey Creek was in excellent condition. Not only were there passenger cars at the TH, there was a class-A motor home with the dealer tag still on the window. Giant mother-pumpkin. You should have no trouble in whatever you choose to drive.

Also, the TC trail was in wonderful condition, or at least the parts that weren't covered in snow appeared to be. With all that snow, you guys should have plenty of water at the Bathtub and any springs you cross. Great hike - have fun!

WOW! a motorhome all the way into the 'real' TURKEY CREEK T/H (not the whanna-be T/H 1.5 miles short of it)... I could see one getting into the MILLER T/H with no sweat, but......

hikeaz wrote:

writelots wrote:This weekend (Sat) the access to Turkey Creek was in excellent condition. Not only were there passenger cars at the TH, there was a class-A motor home with the dealer tag still on the window. Giant mother-pumpkin. You should have no trouble in whatever you choose to drive.

Also, the TC trail was in wonderful condition, or at least the parts that weren't covered in snow appeared to be. With all that snow, you guys should have plenty of water at the Bathtub and any springs you cross. Great hike - have fun!

WOW! a motorhome all the way into the 'real' TURKEY CREEK T/H (not the whanna-be T/H 1.5 miles short of it)... I could see one getting into the MILLER T/H with no sweat, but......

We rolled a stock Tacoma in there about three years ago with no problem whatsoever...

About five years ago, I came across a motor home parked off the sand road near Klondyke. It was jacked up about two feet and had offroad tires, but they weren't oversized or doubled up. I guess it got around OK out there, but it looked vulnerable to capsizing.

Jeff MacE wrote:

hikeaz wrote:

writelots wrote:This weekend (Sat) the access to Turkey Creek was in excellent condition. Not only were there passenger cars at the TH, there was a class-A motor home with the dealer tag still on the window. Giant mother-pumpkin. You should have no trouble in whatever you choose to drive.

Also, the TC trail was in wonderful condition, or at least the parts that weren't covered in snow appeared to be. With all that snow, you guys should have plenty of water at the Bathtub and any springs you cross. Great hike - have fun!

WOW! a motorhome all the way into the 'real' TURKEY CREEK T/H (not the whanna-be T/H 1.5 miles short of it)... I could see one getting into the MILLER T/H with no sweat, but......

We rolled a stock Tacoma in there about three years ago with no problem whatsoever...

Tacoma ... Motorhome.... yep - I guess they're about the same......

They really don't have much more clearance than a lot of motor homes, if you look beneath. People always think that truck = can go off-road. This is not the case.

The real difficulty rating of a road or trail is just as subjective for a vehicle as it is for a person. I could drive your grandma's stock Jeep Cherokee into Chivo and bring it back out without so much as a scratch having never dropped it into 4WD. Some people can't even manage to get their ATV in there without hurting themselves. It's all subjective.

Jeff MacE wrote:...... I could drive your grandma's stock Jeep Cherokee into Chivo and bring it back out without so much as a scratch having never dropped it into 4WD. Some people can't even manage to get their ATV in there without hurting themselves. .....

Have you considered offering a weekend 'how to' on off-road driving to HAZ members? Some of us rookies may benefit from it.

Put me in the maybe category! I'm slower than I used to be, but still pretty hardy! I'll give you an answer after this weekend, as I may have other plans!