HikeArizona.COM

New guy here!!! Greetings everyone. I've done some research and concluded that there are more hikes in Arizona than I could possibly imagine. I don't even know where to start.
I'm flying in on Thanksgiving week for a little vacation. I'm looking for the best two day hike (solo w/camp) I can find. Opinions??? I tend to enjoy more intense stuff, but not too dangerous.

Musts:
in Arizona
Elevation gain and views

Prefer:
Solitude
Strenuous

ps. I am pondering an '04 AZT hike, so this is sort of a recon vacation.

Suggest Montezuma Pass to Parker Lake; 21 miles of AZT, crest trail, in the mountains.

Why not do the Canyon if you've never been to AZ?

You might be able to pick up a walk in permit for some campgrounds, I can't imagine they're sold out during a cold holiday weekend. Even if they are you could just do a rim-river-rim hike...you said you liked the intense stuff right?

Hi Sanford,

Welcome to HAZ

Are you flying in to Phoenix?

How far out are you willing/wanting to go?

Yeah I'm flying into Phoenix, but I'm pretty much happy to go anywhere in AZ.

I'd love to camp out in the canyon. I'm definitely gonna check that out and inquire about a walk-in permit.

Montezuma pass is down south, right? I've been eying that area also, it seems quite remote. I would have to do a A to B to A hike though. Or hitch back (how's the hitching in those parts?)

Parking/trans is always a pain.

re. "hitching....
It has been my experience that on most of the backroads you'd be hard pressed to have more than 5 or 6 trucks pass before a ride.
As the roads get more "civilized", you'll undoubtedly wait longer.

Being a Canyon fan, I'd recommend the Hermit Loop.
Down Hermit Trail, across the Tonto, and out the Bright Angel.
Camp at Monument Creek(BL7), Salt Creek(BL5) or Cedar(BL6).
2 nights would be better... that would allow you to hike down Hermit Creek or Monument Creek to the Colorado so you can check out Hermit or Granite rapids. If you have 2 nights, you might even check out camping @ Granite Rapid(BL8), or Hermit Rapid(BM8) for the 1st night, and then Horn Creek (BL4)on night 2. Indian Gardens, although a second night possibility, is usually crowded, and sometimes noisy.

Either way, check out http://www.kaibab.org/bc/gc_trail.htm
You can call the BCO @ (928)638-7875 to ask about any openings. You cannot reserve sites by phone, but if you determine what is available, you can then fax your request right away and have your permit held there for you.

Dont forget the Clear Creek Trail, which doesnt even start until you reach Phantom Ranch, 7 miles from the South Kaibab trailhead.
The North Rim will likely be buried in snow, so hike the South Kaibab (ky-a-bab) trail for seven miles to Phantom Ranch Camp. Right near the river you will see the clear creek trail which is nine miles one way, and meanders through the Tonto Plateau. Upon reaching this magnificent area of "temples" you can continue even further down the Clear creek trail for 4 miles to the highest waterfalls in the canyon, Cheyava Falls.

total round trip foot miles to Clear creek from South Kaibab: 33
Elevation loss: nearly 6000 ft. AND 1500ft. gain to the plateau.
will you see other humans beyond Phantom Ranch? not likely.

will you be a changed man forever? you bet your pack mule!
good luck permits should be easy to obtain if you file online today..

Grand Canyon is a good bet. You may be able to get a bed at Phantom Ranch and lighten your load.

Another option, Superstition ridgeline, spending the night on the Flatiron.

Just called the BCO at the grand canyon, they said to be there early the 24th, but it will be hard to get in. And the 26th, 27th, forget about it. The grand canyon is irresistable, but is there anything else fun up north in case it doesn't work out?

It's in Southern Utah, and quite a ways from the south rim, but..........

Buckskin Gulch/Paria are spectacular......
( dead link removed )

Not exotic like the GC but I think a good option closer to PHX might be
Lizard's Club Cabin
http://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=269

I was going to post the Buckskin/Paria trek, but there is no elevation change. It's a great hike and very different from just about anything else.

In response to Sanford's reply: The hermit trail is pretty rough to do by yourself. Try a walk-up at the south rim. Or call to see about doing havasu. There aren't many people there this time of year and it's beautiful. Also check out buckskin canyon and the upper Paria through the BLM.

I thank you all for your help and input. I will tell you all about the trip when I return.

BUCKSKIN GULCH

Holy cow that looks really neat. Very serious as well-no joke. They told me there is practically nobody hiking in there at this time because it is so cold and there is H2O in pools. Any tips on this trip would be appreciated. A gulch hike is all new to me. I do have waterproof gear, but the water always finds some way in over the course of a day.

Well, the canyon with buckskin gulch as a backup seems to me a good plan. Talk about setting the bar high! Oh well, if I don't challenge myself, it ain't half as fun. I leave here on Sunday.

Thanks again everyone

Hip waders! Or the back packer equivalent, two heavy duty garbage bags and a smaller bag to stuff them in when you're not using them.

I've been in the two canyons 4 times in the last 5 years. The only pools I've ever seen are between the wire pass intersection and the boulder jam in Buckskin. The big nasty one is between there also. That being said, flash floods happen frequently in these canyons and new pools can form at any time.

I'd suggest starting at the whitehouse on the paria river then, after about 6 miles, making the right at the confluence and go up buckskin. A few miles after you left the confluence you'll come to the boulder jam. You'll know it because you'll either have to climb over it or crawl under it and shimmy up the middle between a few boulders. You can continue up buckskin a few more miles, the canyon gets really narrow and then you'll get to the big nasty pool. I'd suggest turning around there and spending the night at one of the way cool camp sites you passed between the conflence and the boulder jam. Day two head back out to Paria, make a right and head as far as you want to go before turning around and heading back to the white house. I'd suggest going at least to the springs to fill up on water. this route "should" be wade free and you'll cover about 10 miles the first day and as much as you want the second day.

You can filter the water coming out of buckskin or there is a spring in paria past the confluence.

Good luck, any questions give me a yell.

There are not THAT many pools, and nothing that should be over your head (no snorkel).
I've done this section 6 or 7 times, and this past June (driest month) there were NO pools. Generally speaking the deepest pool is 35" deep or so.
Contact the Paria Ranger Station for updates. (Call the Kanab BLM station & ask them to call the Paria Station for you, as you cannot contact the Paria station directly).
Check the archives here for info about the Paria Canyon Guest Ranch.... Easton will shuttle you if necessary.
If you enter at Wire PassT/H, it's about 5 hours to the confluence of Buckskin & Paria(13.5 miles) at a steady pace. There are a few nice camps there. You may then hike out the Paria River (stream) bed, exiting at the White House Trailhead (7 miles +/-). Pay atention, as the turn up the Paria can be missed. it's about a 2 minute hike south of the Confluence camp on river left.
Next day hike to Coyote Buttes (north) and see "The Wave".
email me @ mail@friendshiking.com for some pics, if you'd like.



kurt

I would like to add, for your amusement, that all the hikes we are sending to this poor fella are way the heck out there!! Forgive us, for we are responding with the hikes we all want to take, but maybe cant or havent yet... ergo, I would like to add that if bushwacking and wading are what we recommend, why not point your compass to the West Clear Creek area?? It has all the adventure one could hope for and only 2 hours away!! after all.. you are asking for info on a 2 day hike. Paria canyon and the GC are far too in-depth and grand for 2 days. I would say without hyperbole that the GC needs at least 5 days of your time. try these:

Maxwell/Tramway trails for a cross country bushwack into a very scenic and desolate canyon

the Salome (Sal-oh-may) wilderness, which in my opinion is very underrated.. try the Hells Hole tr. to Workman crk. then bushwack to Salome creek (about 8 miles)

hey fellas.. has this boy ever been to Sedona?? I would recommend the Woods Canyon tr. upper section, or even James canyon from Pumphouse wash. Woods canyon has plenty to offer, check it out!!

I hope you get what you came for. Good luck! Mike

Yes, these are hikes I want to take and wish I could do more often, but yes I have done them multiple times and still want to do them over again. Sanford asked for the best two day hikes. I say Grand canyon or Paria/Buckskin are the BEST.

There are several other great hikes and most of them are closer then these two. If driving 4-6 hours from Phoenix isn't an issue, these are (in my opinion) the best.

BTW... If you do Buckskin/Paria be sure to drive out to Antelope Canyon outside of Page and bring a good camera on your way home.

I've been in Buckskin twice and to the Wave about 4 times ( a couple before it was known as the wave). Take a trekking pole or something in there to probe pool depth. Has been a dry year so may be low water in the potholes, but some of those babies can be over your head if you step wrong. Take warm clothes(spare) the water will be very cold and there will be little to no sun in there due to low sun angle. Take a head lamp as could be pretty dark in some sections even in mid day. If you wear your regular hiking boots may have to discard after if lots of mud in there.

The Wave is very cool- if you go be sure to find the huge pothole up in the ridgeline that has a perfect lunch rock and might have some water. Was a swimmer several years ago- nice way to cool off. Good luck getting a permit.