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Would this be a good trail to backpack into and camp somewhere other than at the Cochise Stronghold campground? I'm an experienced hiker, but have actually never backpacked. I have a freshman son at UA and am trying to figure out a good trail to do a single-night father/son single-night backpacking trip. This looks like it may be a good one but would love feedback or suggestions of other ones within 1-2 hrs of Tucson.

There is a hardened site just past Halfmoon Tank (not sure what the rules are for camping that close to a water source), and a dry camp a half mile or so past that (nicer views). What time of year are you thinking? I'd think this would be best for spring/fall.

If you need other beginner backpacking suggestions, there are some good campsites in the Sabino Basin, and in the Rincons.

@ShatteredArm
I'm thinking in a couple of months - March or April.

Do you have any other suggestions that might be better for this?

@Castor66
I think any of those options would work in March/April. Grass Shack campground specifically is probably worth considering in the Rincons; the creeks should be flowing which means you can find some waterfalls.

@ShatteredArm
Grass Shack looks awesome, but I worry that the 9+ miles and amount of climbing would be more aggressive than we'd like. Are any of the ones in the Sabino basin you were thinking of any milder? Otherwise I am still liking the idea of Cochise Stronghold and the dry camp area you mentioned half a mile past Halfmoon Tank.

@Castor66
I believe if you start from Hiribayashi and follow AZT to the Sabino Basin, it's about 6 miles one way to the camping areas. If memory serves, there was also a campsite near Sycamore Reservoir, which is about 2.5 miles in.

If you're OK with dry camping, the view from the campsite along Stronghold Trail is superb.