xsproutx wrote:No way in hell I'm carrying as much water as he did
It builds character!!
I've been trying to figure out a good 2 night trip that I can do close to home and it's really difficult. The trails exist, but in addition to some really nasty conditions post-fire there's a real issue with water. If you can solve the water problem or don't mind cheating then there are some options.
Catalinas
Good camping spots available near Marshall Saddle, Lemmon Meadow, through Bear Wallow, Bigelow, Incinerator Ridge etc. Actually a neat spot on top of Leopold point, but might be a bit unpleasant with wind. That can all be linked together with open trails, but water is going to be problematic. If Quartzite Spring is running then you can grab water there for a camp on top of the mountain. It was DRY last time I was through there about 6 weeks ago, but there was a later report showing it flowing well. Last time I was through Bear Wallow it was dry (or at least locked up), but one might be able to drop down off incinerator ridge and grab water at the ranger station or possibly boy / girl scout springs. There's a nice trip in here if the water can be worked out. I've actually considered caching water up on Incinerator Ridge on my way up the mountain.
The other option is into Wilderness of Rocks, but the farther you get from Marshall Saddle the more torched and exposed it becomes. The popular camping areas near Lemmon Pools were looking pretty 'meh' when I was through there in mid May.
Rincons
Again, water is the issue with the only reliable source being Manning Camp. When I was through there in early May there was barely anything at Italian Spring and nothing via any of the other approaches. The other issue here is getting to Manning as exposure is going to suck unless you start hiking before dawn. On the bright side if you use Manning as a base camp then you can park there for 2 or more nights and do day hikes at the higher elevations. Totally worth attempting but I can't think of the way that I would want to approach. Definitely none of the Tucson-side trails as they are just too long and exposed. Miller Creek > Heartbreak Ridge wouldn't be bad if you got an early start, but it would be a long day. Turkey Creek is steep, but probably the fastest way to the top.
This is probably the best option for a local trip, but you've got some work to get there and no matter how you cut it you'll need to carry almost a full day of water. Depending on your consumption rate and when you start that could be a gallon or maybe a bit more.
Santa Ritas
After fire took out the SE side of the range it's hard to get in anything more than an overnight without doing a lot of backtracking. I've looked at a few options here, but can't come up with something that properly occupies 2 - 3 days of hiking without getting stuck 100% exposed for large chunks of it.
If you don't mind going a little farther out then you may be able to figure out a nice loop in the Hauchucas. I was going to do this as my June trip, but bathtub spring was petering out so I made other plans. If / when things change with that water source there are a couple of options for loops that start at reasonable elevation and provide some really nice hiking. Of course with my luck the mountain will burn before I'm able to get down there.
