HikeArizona.COM

Not sure what the up-to-date guidance is here... but where should I start if I want to backpack to Reavis Ranch? I've got a Subaru Outback, but it's not like a high clearance vehicle or anything. I don't mind a few extra miles.

Any advice would be appreciated... thx!

Really just depends on how far you want to hike/how much you want to drive. Roger's Trough is probably the best case. The road was regraded earlier this year in... February? or so and I was able to make it up no problem in my outback wilderness and a regular outback could make it fine as well. With that said, that road can deteriorate pretty quickly with the monsoon season and we've had a decent one, so it may not still be in great condition. Or it could be... never know unless you go.
You could start from reavis ranch trailhead but you have to go the long way around now to get to the TH and you can't actually get to the TH itself anymore. You can park something like a mile away and hike in but it'll add about 1k elevation, if I recall, to get to the TH itself.
You could also start at Thule TH, as well, which will be a longer hike with more elevation gain but is a pretty neat way to get there.

Haha... I was hoping someone else had driven to that trailhead recently.

I'm ok with a longer hike and more elevation to avoid driving difficulties...

@runnr_az I was out there in April with a stock Jeep Renegade and three kids in the backseat. It was a rough drive and I wouldn’t try it again, especially with kids to worry about. I’ve also come in from the north trailhead (spring 2021) and, while its a long haul, the drive is way less stressful.

[ triplog ] Rogers Trough
[ triplog ] Reavis TH

Another option is to start from Miles Ranch, the shortest route to Reavis from there is about 12 miles and two climbs each way. It's pretty scenic, and the road in wasn't too bad the times I've driven there.

Why would you want to hike/backpack into Reavis? With the heat, no apples and no building to shelter in when it rains I recommend waiting until October and early November when you can enjoy the area as well. Just sayin.....

Reavis Ranch is generally considered to be out of season this time of year, and is far more popular in fall and spring when the temperatures are more enjoyable, but regardless of when you visit your basic options generally are 6 trailheads (THs). I believe all approach options are heavily impacted by the fire scar from when this wilderness burned recently, so scenery is not great.

Reavis North TH - the trailhead itself is closed, and you now have to park on the Apache Trail, adding more than a mile and lots of elevation of road hiking to the trailhead, before you reach the Reavis trail itself. This is the most friendly drive for vehicles of any type and would be my recommendation for anyone nervous about their vehicle abilities.

Rogers Trough TH - the closest trailhead to the ranch, but can be a rough ride, typically rated a high clearance road not suitable for outbacks, except recently after it is graded. Involves hiking only the Reavis trail.

Campaign TH - Not advisable during monsoon season as much of the road to this trailhead is an actual wash, and has caused several HAZzers to become stuck when driving it during a rainstorm even in other seasons. Involves hiking the Campaign trail and Reavis Gap trail.

Miles TH - I would personally rate this as moderate/high clearance, and the trailhead itself turns into a mudpit when it rains, so it doesn't get my recommendation for an outback, though others may disagree. Involves hiking the West Pinto, Campaign, and Fireline trails to get to the ranch

Tule TH - A fairly low/moderance clearance option, but involves a brutal hike on Tule, Two Bar, and Reavis Gap trail to reach the ranch. This approach will generally take more than a day for anyone not in excellent backpacking shape.

Woodbury TH - Fairly friendly to most moderate clearance vehicles, but involves a long hike of JF trail, Rogers Canyon trail, possibly frog tanks, and reavis trail to get to the ranch. My favorite of the options, but generally it adds an extra day or two to the itinerary, not generally a suitable itinerary for summer though.

@SuperstitionGuy That's a fair question... and once I started to put the pieces together and actually looked at the forecast for this weekend, I went... "Uhhh... clearly I'm gonna have to wait a few weeks." So, to be revisited in fall.

Nonetheless, this is SUPER helpful, so thanks! Maybe other folks will find it useful as well...

I am a dumbass who did this in June of 2020 and I had a very unpleasant final few miles back to my truck at Roger's Trough due to the really hot weather. Not advisable in the summer.

I Back Packed it in June as well but I did it to take in the longest day of the year to check things out at Circle Stone. However I hiked in and out in the dark in the wee hours of the morning. This was before the road was closed at Fish Creek so therefore I used the North Trail Head.

joebartels on 8/16/22 wrote:Road 172A is still fine for sedans. However, I wouldn't recommend the family commuter on a tight budget due to two other spots on the main road.

[ triplog ]

I drove up 172/172a this past Sunday. The monsoon rains have def. add some fun back to it for sure, a bunch of small wash outs throughout. The last part to RT once you make the left turn being the worst. You may make it in a Outback, but it will be a slow drive for sure. Going up the Gap is the second least amount of miles but like others have said no way you want to head up to Campaign during Monsoon season. I would drive up to RT and see how far you can make it, there's plenty of parking spots.

Nobody has said the obvious so I will! In the middle of summer if you head up to Rogers Trough Trailhead or are returning from Rogers Trough Trailhead be aware that if something (anything) happens that will make you have to walk back you may just be ALONE all the way to the southern end of Forest Road 172 or worse. Don't plan on seeing ANYBODY on the road and especially at night.

If you have to go in the summer do it with another car/truck and driver!