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I'm taking my kids on their first overnight backpacking trip this month. They are 5, 9, and 11. I want it to challenge them but also don't want it to be so hard that they never want to go again. So, I'm thinking we'll hike 4 miles a day to make it feasible. So, I need around an 8 mile hike for the trip. I also don't want to have to carry in all of our water. So, I'd like to go somewhere where there's water where we'll be spending the night.

I'm thinking of doing this portion of the Highline Trail:
[ Route Editor ]

Does this seem like a trail that fits the criteria I'm looking for, and does anyone have other suggestions that would fit what I'm looking for? I'm in the Phoenix area and would like to drive no more than 2-3 hours.

Thanks in advance!

Justin

@jleasure457
Hi Justin.

Depending on when you're planning to do this trip, you might find the Highline to be a little bit warm. There was a fire along that stretch many years ago and there's not consistent shade, just sporadic groves of trees.

You might consider just hiking the [ Horton Creek Trail #285 ] . It's only 3.5 miles each way, but there's water along the entire trail, features good shade the whole way, and many options for camping along the whole route. To make a loop, the [ Derrick - Horton Loop ] is an option, but it's 5.5 miles from the spring back down to the trailhead, and there are no water sources along that stretch. But it's mostly downhill, so it might be an option to consider even if it's a bit longer than preferred.

If you're not planning on doing this until later in May or June, getting up into higher elevations will be a more pleasant experience with cooler temperatures. For that I would recommend a segment of the [ Cabin Loop - Mogollon Rim ] , with [ Houston Brothers Trail #171 ] probably being the best option for your request.

Good luck and have fun. We'd love to hear how it goes.

If you go to your linked route in the route editor and right click on the map you can select the pinpoint forecast option at the crosshairs location. In the next two weeks you can see that the temperatures will be pleasant and maybe a bit on the Chilly side.

However as we head into May and June I'd expect temperatures to climb at least 20 degrees, and as Chumley states, that's likely going to be a bit hot for backpacking for most people if your trip is more than a month away. So keep an eye on the weather.

If you like the look of the weather, some things to keep in mind:
-there aren't any reliable water sources at the halfway point along that 8 mile route. The reliable water is generally at the very beginning and very end of that 8 mile route you have mapped out. While you may find some water on the way, I'm not sure I'd count on it.
-where the Highline meets Horton creek is about 3.5 miles from the trailhead, assuming you'd be hiking Horton Creek Trail #285, and you don't seem to be factoring in that extra 3.5 miles which at your pace make this a 3 day, 11ish mile trip rather than 2 days and 8 miles.
-many places/trails in Arizona have been damaged by wildfires over the last several decades with few areas fully recovering. I am not personally aware of anything in that 8 mile stretch but I've really been losing track over the last 5 years of the most heavily impacted areas. Check out recent triplogs over the past few years to get a feel for whether this will impact your trip.
-Some other alternatives in the vicinity which should have water more convenient to your targets:
- Kinder Crossing Trail: [ Kinder Crossing Trail #19 ] (You can do some extra miles staying in the East Clear Creek and there are OK trails turning into game trails the further you head north, if you head south you can go about 1-2 miles before you'd have to swim
- Canyon Creek: [ Canyon Creek - Tonto NF ]
- Simply hike Horton Creek #285 as an out and back, camping near the end of #285 where it meets the highline as 3.5 miles is close to your 4 mile target. The kids may have fun playing in the creek along the way. However, that is a popular trailhead during nice weather so you likely need to get there early. Its also a very popular backpacking destination, so you won't be alone most likely.

Have backpacked many times with my now 9 year old daughter! First trip, it needs to just be fun and easy. The comments above on the highline are correct; it may be too warm and it's probably not as fun. That stretch is super exposed and windy as hell (usually) as well.

1. Horton creek: tons of camp spots, a nice creek. Not much solitude, though, if that's a concern
2. Willow Springs lake: park at horse trap trailhead and hike along side the lake north. Easy, pleasant, there's a lake to fish if that's something you'd like. Several campsites once you get down the canyon a short bit (legal, although I may know some people that camp right on the lake that have never gotten bothered even though that may not be allowed technically so I've heard although I've never seen an official thing). You likely will have solitude
3. See Canyon. Hike to to See Canyon spring for a shorter trip. Area by the spring is nice (and has cell service). edit: just saw it was 3 kids. Camping spots in the area tend to be smaller so that may not work depending on how many tents/hammocks/combination therein. Hike up to Napa spring, though, which is longer and the area by the spring is plenty large for several tents.
4. Bit of a wild card based on the season, but the seven springs area north of cave creek is a favourite of my daughters (and mine). I find it's typically 10 degrees cooler than Cave Creek during the day and if you camp along cave creek (the creek) in the area, I find it to be a cold sink where I've measured it being a full 25-30 degrees colder than the low in Cave Creek (the town) overnight.

Thank you all for your suggestions! Going to give Horton Creek a try this coming weekend.