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Looking for a beautiful backpacking spot. Maybe above the rim. Preferrably in the Tonto or Apache Sitgreaves Nat. Forest.
Maybe some creek, river action. Help!!!!

Bear Wallow Wilderness, Upper or Lower Fish Creek, Mainstem Black River, KP Creek, Grant Creek. All are near Hannagan Meadow in the Alpine Ranger District of the Apache-Sitgreaves NF. All are inaccessible at the moment until 191 re-opens due to Beaverhead Fire, but this should happen soon--they are mopping up that fire right now.

Blue River area too hot right now, in my opinion--lower elevation.

Contact Alpine RD, 928-339-4384. They will mail you maps and directions.

Consider the Gila Wilderness..
....just into NM from Alpine, Az. it has myriad opportunities, and will suit all your needs --- also, it rarely is closed for fires.......

I don't mean to be disagreeable, but gee, the Gila has three huge fires right now. Quite a few of its roads are closed, and cabins and campgrounds have been evacuated. Also I talked to the district ranger from Glenwood just the other day. She told me most of the springs have dried up, so you pretty much have to hike along the big creeks. I would call the rangers first before going there. Find out what areas might still be open and which have some water.

Read the following fire info from the New Mexico state site:

Wednesday, 06-21-06, 08:14AM

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Bear Fire
The Bear Fire is on the Reserve District of the Gila National Forest, in the Bearwallow Mountain area approximately 17 miles east of Alma. It's estimated at 24,300 acres, very active and moving northeast. There is no containment. The fire did get some wind Tuesday and put up a very large smoke column. Crews burned out along the north edge in order to steer the fire away from Negrito Fire Center and N Bar Ranch. So far, that appears to have been successful. The fire has crossed Gilita Canyon, east of Willow Creek, and moved into the Gila Wilderness. Crews hope to stop any further spread into the wilderness. There continues to be some threat to structures along Willow Creek although no action has been taken yet. Smoke permitting, fire managers will try today to confirm the loss of 4 older structures on Forest Service land in the Indian Creek area. Dry lightning is forecasted for today.

For more information: View Map

Wednesday, 06-21-06, 11:45AM

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Reserve Complex Fires
The Reserve Complex consists of the Martinez II and the Wilson II fires, located respectively, southwest and northwest of Reserve on the Gila National Forest. The complex is 13,738 acres and 60% contained. There are 763 people on this complex. Winds were fairly strong out of the west Tuesday on the Wilson II fire hampering efforts at containment. Crews have been doing some burnout operations to help build line on the Martinez II, where wind was not an issue.

For information on the complex: View Map

Wednesday, 06-21-06, 11:46AM

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Skates Fire
The Skates Fire, northwest of Mimbres on the Gila National Forest, is estimated at 12,461 acres and 50% contained. State Highways 15 and 35 are open. In the fire area, drivers are asked to keep their speed to 30 mph due to fire traffic and personnel on the road.

For more information: View Map

Wednesday, 06-21-06, 08:11AM

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Gila National Forest Update
The Gila National Forest has a number of large fires burning. The Bear Fire, the Skates Fire, the Reserve Complex and 3 wildland fire-use fires.

For information on all Gila fires:

Wednesday, 06-21-06, 10:45AM

I called the Gleenwood Ranger District and they told me that all the springs had dried up, and none of the streams were flowing besides the three forks of the Gila. I went to the Gila on Memorial Day weekend, and most of the streams were flowing and all the springs had water. The information the Rangers provided you and me was wrong. :twisted: I think the peoiple that answer th phone do not go hiking.

I do agree that it would not be a good idea to go with the fires out there right now.

I have had the same experience before trying to get info from Black Mesa RD about conditions at Chevelon Canyon (Apache-Sitgreaves forest). The people either didn't know or purposely gave wrong info, saying there "could be a little trickle of water." When I got there, I was pleased to find a great deal of water.

That fire that was 7,000 acres two days ago, east of Alma, the Bear Fire, is now about 34,000, and they say it's moving fast.

In response to tkknc's reply:

I've also had this experience. I know a bit about the internal workings of these natural resource agencies, they put the new guy / gal on the phone, and scare the bejeezus out of them with liability talk. Couple that with the fact that the new kid's idea of a long hike is a full lap at the mall, and . . . well you get the pic.

The AZ Public Lands Information Center used to have pretty good info, but I haven't checked with them for several months.