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Hey everyone! I'm gonna be back in Tucson visiting friends and family for a good chunk of February and looking to take a couple of friends backpacking. They are both novice backpackers so I'm not looking for anything too strenuous and it needs to be dog friendly. Ideally 10-15 miles round trip would be perfect for them. I'm looking for suggestions for anything between Apache Junction and Tucson area, but would be willing to travel further if anyone has any must-see type recommendations. Since it's been 7 years now since I've lived in Tucson my memory is pretty rusty.

Currently I'm leaning towards hiking into the Superstitions from the First Water Trailhead since there are a couple different options to form loops of varying lengths. Any thoughts?

@keepmoving
Are you available weekdays? The western Superstitions can be a little bit busy on weekends this time of year, though if you get a few miles out it's generally a lot more peaceful.

@chumley
Yeah, we are looking at doing Feb 13th/14th right now

Aravaipa, with some side-canyon(s) exploration.
Power's Ranch (Shootout Cabin)

I second Aravaipa but you need to put in for the Permits. But you'll have some solitude on those days.

Boulder Canyon Loop from First Water TH is close by and great for beginners, should be water available, but might be a little busy. I just did Aravaipa this past weekend and it was fantastic but might be harder for your new folks.

@The_Dude I was gonna say, Aravaipa is beautiful but not every beginner backpacker is cool with hiking in water all day, especially when overnight lows are near or below freezing which is typical in February.

But on a Thursday night a loop in the Supes should be nice

Wait, just saw the dog friendly part. No dogs allowed in Aravaipa Canyon.

Hutch's pool from Molino Basin in the Catalinas is also a pretty fantastic out and back, not too much elevating gain and about 16 miles if I remember right. Plus you get to see Sycamore reservoir, a stop I always enjoy near the Old Pueblo.

@The_Dude Molino access makes it dog friendly, right? I know Sabino is no dogs and some of Pusch Ridge Wilderness has restrictions too. Tucson isn’t my ‘hood though so I don’t know the details.

@chumley
I thought access from Molino makes it dog friendly, I believe that is outside the bighorn closure area.

the final leg [ West Fork Trail #24 - Sabino ] has the bighorn closure
dogs hikers are fine within 400 ft of the trail
https://hikearizona.com/map.php?G=15496,39404,22271

@joebartels
I thought the closure on west fork #24 was only once you came to the junction with Cathedral, they should be fine getting to Hutch's pool.

@The_Dude
yes, good catch

helper to keep in mind as this and the humphrey's flower boundary come up every year

I bet the guy who wrote the description for the hike probably knows the dog info, right?

I still had the verbage wrong
Corrected my original post above and the custom HAZ map.

I second Powers Cabin, just outside of Wilcox. If your interested I'll send you the link to the route

Another option is Ash Creek spend two nights and then day hike Basset Peak. It's also by Wilcox.

GarthNewby wrote: ↑Jan 28 2020 6:52 amAsh Creek

A dirt road full of car-camping hunters and fifth-wheels isn't something most would put on a list of backpacking options.

[ Galiuro :: map ] for reference. Personally I wouldn't consider those trails novice friendly like the Western Superstitions or Catalinas but it is an idea for chilly February backpacking.