Dec - March Overnighter Suggestions

[KabukiMan]

Hello Everyone,

First post! Found the website while looking for backpacking loops to go on late spring / early summer w/ a friend coming down from Oregon. We went on a hike to the Eagle Cap wilderness in September and he’s planning to come down here.

I’m looking for suggestions for 2-3 day overnight hikes that I can go on over an extended weekend. Goal is to get back into shape for hiking and test out / break in some new gear. I really appreciate this site as it’s provided a ton of info, but I’m not that familiar w/ the areas so I’m a little hesitant to just strike out on my own.

I hope on making 4-6 trips during this time period and I’m looking for places w/in 2-3 hrs from PHX w/ decent water availability and accessible w/ my 2022 Outback. I’ve been combing through TrailDEX and I’m considering options in the Superstitions and wanted to get some other recommendations.

Thanks in Advance!
KabukiMan

[chumley]

@KabukiMan

Depending on the time of year that you're considering (title says Dec-Mar, but post says late spring-early summer), it may be too hot to be enjoyable to hike in the Superstitions. An old standby that fits your request would be the [ Cabin Loop - Mogollon Rim ] . The east side (Barbershop Ubar) will have more elevation change and avoids a few miles adjacent to a dusty dirt road. The west side crosses fewer canyons, but gives you the option to come up from below the rim via the [ Colonel Devin Trail #290 ] which cuts the drive by about an hour. All are accessible in your vehicle.

[KabukiMan]

@chumley
Thanks for the info. I’m looking to do 4-6 hikes between now and March to do gear testing and get back in shape. This is where I’m looking at the Superstitions. Then do a longer loop w/ my buddy in late May. We’re looking at the Blue Range Wilderness (Hannagan Meadows, KP). I’ve enjoyed reading @FOTG triplogs for that area.

[LindaAnn]

In the Supes, you could consider either Charlebois loop from Peralta trailhead. Or Reavis Ranch from Reavis North trailhead (will be colder, but still okay) Both are accessible with your vehicle, and have water. Typically only one night, but you could expand.

[KabukiMan]

@LindaAnn
Thanks for the suggestions. After poking around the site and seeing some suggestions in @FOTG post from 2014, I’ve linked a few trails I’ll try to do during this time frame. They’re all in the same area and appear to be easy to switch from one trail or loop to another should something come up.

I’ve downloaded RouteScout and am still trying to get the handle on it. I plan on taking it out this weekend to do some local hikes to get familiar with it.

Thanks again for all the help!

[LindaAnn]

@KabukiMan
Make sure to post some triplogs afterwards to let us all know how it goes!

[rubywrangler]

I’m definitely not an expert in this department compared to the previous commenters, but when trying to plan backpacking trips in the supes I’ve found it helpful to peruse old triplogs for trails in the area because a lot of the maniacs - oops, uh, I mean, very strong hikers on this site do some long dayhikes that can easily be turned into overnight or multi day trips, given favorable weather/water conditions. I’ve done several 1-2 night trips that are summarized in [ Route Editor ] but definitely do your own water research if visiting these areas.

[KabukiMan]

@rubywrangler
Thanks for the info and trail link. I agree that many here are maniacally strong hikers . I used to be a 10-12 mile / day w/ a full pack. Now I’m looking to do 8’s. What’s the rush? If I’m taking the time to unplug, I’m a gonna take the time . This community’s great! Reading through the previous triplogs and checking the water reports is extremely helpful. Most of my hiking has been in the PNW (Eagle Cap, Goat Rocks, Three Sisters) and you don’t have to worry about water up there.

And I’ll make sure to post triplogs when I go, @LindaAnn. Until then, do triplogs in some of the local preserves, like Paloma in Peoria count?
https://www.peoriaaz.gov/government/dep ... ing-trails

[LindaAnn]

@KabukiMan
You can post a triplog of any hike, even workout hikes, or most any other outdoor activity. There’s an option (drop down menu) within the triplog to select the activity type.

[TooOld2Hike_EP]

... because a lot of the maniacs - oops, uh, I mean, very strong hikers on this site do some long dayhikes that can easily be turned into overnight or multi day trips, given favorable weather/water conditions.

Like, 1 day turns into 4. I realized, after that, that I am not an Extreme Athlete, as many here seem to be.

[TooOld2Hike_EP]

@rubywrangler
Now I’m looking to do 8’s. What’s the rush? If I’m taking the time to unplug, I’m a gonna take the time.

That's a good attitude to have.

It's a funny American thing. The airplane I used to fly was a 200 mph sports car. When not for business, we didn't have to fly at 200 mph. Could throttle back, save gas, and have more time to enjoy flying/enjoy the views. (That's why we fly, right?) But, no, it was "painful" to slow down.

I was looking at AZT completions the other day and I saw quite a few people who had completed the AZT in 9 to 15 days. (Is this a new thing?)

My first thought was, "How could they have time to take in the sights?"

(My second was, "How did they not step on snakes, surprise bears, trip over roots, etc.?")

I suppose the only downside to going slow is that you need to carry more supplies for 4 days than, say, 2. But still, if it's all about having fun, that shouldn't matter.

[KabukiMan]

I was looking at AZT completions the other day and I saw quite a few people who had completed the AZT in 9 to 15 days. (Is this a new thing?)

I read an article about this as well. Not sure how someone can do the AZT in 12 days. That’s 65+ miles per day. The guy would have to be going for 18-hours a day. They can’t be self supported doing that. It’s an incredible feat, but not something I’d try.

I think I’m settling in on the Charlebois Loop II listed above. I’ve read over several trip reports and think it’ll be best. I’m looking to do it in 2.5 days, starting Friday. I do have a couple other questions for anyone who’s done it, just so I can be prepared:

• Any predators I need to worry about? Should I carry bear spray?

• What about hanging food? Are there enough trees for doing this or should I bring a BearVault?

• Clockwise or CCW? I’m planning on bringing a fair amount of water (6-8 liters) and it looks like it’s drier going CCW for the first few miles until you hit LaBarge. Most water reports along the route don’t show much for this time of year. Figured I’d just camel it until I hit the 2 reliable sources.

• Are there established campsites or do I just find a spot off trail?

Anyway, going CCW, I’d camp around Whiskey Spring day 1, then slog through Charlebois spring and try to get to Williams Camp for the second night. Then hike out day 3.

Thanks again for all the help and advice!

[xsproutx]

@KabukiMan
Absolutely can do it self-supported and the latest record was. He even tracked how long he was in each store (also tons of video but yeh). It's obviously not something everyone or the vast majority of people can do, of course...

For your questions:
1. Not really. I've not seen bears on that side of the supes but even when I'm in areas with bears in AZ, I still don't bother with bear spray. Just not needed for what we have here. Other than that, standard smarts apply: if your rummaging around rocks, be on the lookout for scorpions. Watch out for snakes; they're mostly bruminating right now but that's "mostly".

2. I'll hang my food sometimes, especially if I'm backpacking somewhere more ON the beaten trail like this, but it's just for rodents; no bear hang needed. Just find a shrub or tree to get your stuff off the ground.

3. I personally prefer it CCW. You should be able to find water at Whisky Spring, which is about 5.5miles going CCW, and then again at La Barge at 8.5ish and Charleboi almost 10 miles in. Bluff Spring is also generally reliable with recent water reports even in this dry year showing it's going; about 13.5 miles in.

4. There's nothing "formally" established but you'll see plenty of areas that have been used and are packed down because of it/have fire rings/etc. Always better to use one of those vs establishing a new one; there's tons in the supes. Your camping plan sounds fine; there's sort of two established spots right near Whisky that are nice and tucked into the cottonwoods. Only "downside" is because it's in this tucked away little spot, it's darker and a little colder. Good be pros or cons, depending on how you look at it. Near Charleboi, tons of great camping right near the spring or tons of spots in that mile west along the creek bed.

[KabukiMan]

Absolutely can do it self-supported and the latest record was. He even tracked how long he was in each store (also tons of video but yeh). It's obviously not something everyone or the vast majority of people can do, of course...

Thanks for the clarification, xsproutx. I guess I should've read the article better. I just can't imagine pushing myself at that rate. Of I ever get the opportunity to do that trail, I'll take a nice, leisurely 120-days. And thanks for the answers, really helps my preparation.

Plans have changed slightly and am now going next weekend. Will do the Charleboise Loop II ccw. Looking forward to it! I also want to thank @TooOld2Hike_EP for reaching out to join me. I'm really appreciating this forum and community.