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I'm looking for any recommendations on a fun backpacking trip, preferably in northern Arizona (and not the Grand Canyon!) that will be easy enough to do in a weekend....suggestions? Anyone?

Are you planning solo, are you new to backpacking ? An overnighter or a couple of days ?

Highline Trail North of Payson and backpack one of the various segments.

I'm with nighthiker on this one, before I make a recommendation I'd like to know a little more about what you want out of the trip.

Yup, gotta know your level here. 3-5 mile days is about all the "fun" some folks care for, others don't really care to work up a sweat for anything less than 10 mile days.

Highline is a good suggestion though, plenty of access points so you can tailor it to your needs. Water is available now, but it'll be getting hot soon.

Ah yes I suppose a little more info would help....sorry about that!!

No solo work, will be dragging the boyfriend along, prefer an overnighter (one night), looking to top out at about 7-10 miles one way. Fairly experienced backpacker here, but no expert....the bf hasn't overnighted in somewhere in several years, but we are regulary active folks (besides the hiking and camping, me:cycling, him:martial arts). When I say easy, I guess I'm looking for somewhere within a 2 hour drive to get there on a Friday or Saturday and pack in, then pack it out the next day!

Hope this helps!!

Thanks!

I've done an overnight on Horton Creek before - there are a couple nice spots withing 100yds or so of the spring. You can set up camp and go a for a side trip on the Highline.

There are some cool spots in West Clear too.

I also can't reccomend Aravaipa enough - it's a little further than your looking to go drive time wise but well worth it.

Bryan

In response to Nighthiker's reply:
Hey girl.

I would highly recommend Horton's Creek 17miles east of Payson on highway 260 (?) headed towards Heber. It's the Tonto Creek turn off (left) go about 2 miles go over the bridge and park, walk back across the bridge and go up hill into the campsite and you'll see the Horton's Trailhead. It's a 4 mile hike parallel with the creek into the spring and there's swimming, the water is not very cold and there are two ways you can go. the fast more direct way to the spring or you can hike right on the creek the whole way up and there are some very nice places that you would miss if you took the main trail. I took some of my Flag friends there and they discribed it as being like Flag, Oak Creek and Sedona all in one. I like it there becz it can get warm enough to enjoy the water, but still cool enough becz the entire trail is shaded. I recommend backpacking in and staying a night or two. You can drink the water, you just need to filter it or boil it.
I failed to mention that the hiking is on the west side of the creek and the camping is on the east side which guarantees a private camp, it's kick pumpkin. Do wear water proof sandals so you can enjoy the hike fully especially since you'll have to cross to camp.
I also wanted to mention that supposedly the actual spring can be very populated (when I went there was a boyscoutt troop there) so some may recommend that you set up camp just before the spring and hike up into it to hang out so you can have some privacy. I've done this hike for a day trip and I've also backpacked in for a weekend so right now I have to say that this is currently my favorite hike.
If you have trouble locating this trail or have questions, drop me a line @
dhernandez@dhr.net

Enjoy and have a grateful day!


P.S. I also recommend Fossil Springs, it's a harder hike, but well worth it, but you must go all the way back to the waterfall.

Diana