KP Rim Trail - 3 day Loop hike -

[Trailmix]

Howdy! I am new to the board. I am curious if folks have information or experience in an area I plan on visiting over the 4th weekend.

Three of us are planning on hiking the KP Rim Loop Hike listed on HikeArizona.com. This will be my first time in this area of AZ.

http://www.hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=342

Anyhow, it seems very straightforward, but I am curious about three things: route finding, rain & bears. For the former, I plan on obtaining the appropriate maps and I do have a GPS...Also, I am prepared for rain, but am a little worried about the crossings at Grant Creek and KP creek. Will these be hopelessly swelled if it does rain? I am just curious if anyone can comment on the current conditions.

With regard to bears, I was wondering how possible hanging my food will be in this area?

Any other general comments regrading this hike would be helpful...

Thanks.

the mix.

[AZHikr4444]

Howdy Mix,

I can tell you just a little bit about that loop- mainly the KP Canyon part- I overnighted there on Memorial Day weekend with Shi and Tarheel. Depending on whether you were doing the loop clockwise or counterclockwise, this would be the KP South Fork 70, from the KP junction to Mud Springs.

It's a beautiful trail in that area- don't miss the waterfalls. I don't think you have to be overly worried about too much swelling of the creek- unless the area gets really pounded within the next few days, you may get your feet wet but I wouldn't worry much. Now at the bottom of the canyon there is an area where it can get very messy and swollen. Shi can explain about that area if she is lookin' in here- as well as Kurt- I think he was on a trip down there were they were deterred by a very swollen KP Creek. I'm not sure of the time of year they were there though.

There is ample opportunity for bear bagging, again- at least in the KP canyon.

I haven't checked since last Friday- but at that time US 191 was closed from Alpine to Hannagan Meadow. The Beaverhead Fire is out now, so it's probably open, but you still might want to check. There are a few of us that have been around there recently- I was on Escudilla this last week, and a few others were around Mt. Baldy. They'll kick in here if they have beta.

Welcome to HAZ. This is the best site on the net for Arizona related adventure info.

Mike

[hikeaz]

In response to Trailmix's reply:
I've hiked that loop 3x.
It is doubtful that the creeks will cause you any real issues - they never have caused me any.

I've seen but one bear (coincidently at "Bear Spring") near there in all my trips. (about 10 throughout the Blue)

Hanging your food has limited effectiveness if the bear(s) is "camper -saavy"; remember, bears will revisit an area where they have found food before, so maybe try using a lesser-used camp spot. Double freezer bags can help mitigate odors, too. Or maybe even use a "seal-a-meal" to lock in food odors.
Note:
If you plan on visiting bear country extensively, and you are concerned, you might explore the Ursack. http://www.ursack.com/home.htm

Have a great trip - you will love the area.

Note: You may want to check with ASNF ahead to confirm that the area you're wanting to explore is "open".
Date: June 27, 2006

Information Office: 928-333-6263



Springerville, AZ….. The Forest Service has announced that some portions of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests will be closed to public entry starting Tuesday, June 27, 2006, at 8:00 am.

Each of the five Ranger Districts has identified areas that pose an unusually high risk to communities due to dry conditions and fuel accumulations. Those areas will be closed until a sufficient amount of moisture has fallen across the Forests.

Stage 3 restrictions are in addition to those restrictions imposed in Stage 2 which prohibits all campfires and charcoal fires, prohibits smoking except within a building or inside a vehicle with an appropriate use of the ash tray, prohibits cross-country travel by any motorized vehicles, prohibits chainsaw use after 9:00 am, and prohibits the use of acetylene torches. The use of fireworks on national forests is always prohibited.

The closures are described by Ranger District:

Black Mesa Ranger District – The area south of Highway 260 within the Rodeo/Chediski Fire area from the Young Road on the west to Forest Road 132 near Pinedale. Forest Roads 9350, 9512E, 208, 9018, 89B, and 89B1 are also closed. Black Canyon Lake, Black Canyon Rim Campground, and Gentry Campground are closed. Canyon Point Campground is open as are all other campgrounds serving Woods Canyon Lake and Willow Springs Lake.


Lakeside Ranger District – Timber Mesa and the area around Morgan Flat within the borders of Forest Roads 45, 182, and private land boundary; the area south and east of Show Low Lake along Show Low Creek; the area south of Highway 260 from Forest Road 132 (closed) near Pinedale on the west to Highway 60 on the east; the area east of Highway 60 south of Show Low to the Reservation boundary. Lewis Canyon Campground is open by reservation and Scott Reservoir and Show Low Lake are open.


Springerville Ranger District – Mount Baldy Wilderness; the area from and including Forest Road 112 (closed) on the west to Highway 373 at Greer on the east and from the Mount Baldy Wilderness on the south to Highway 260 on the north; Gabaldon Campground and Government Spring are closed. The following areas and sites are open: Hoyer Campground, Benny Creek Campground, Winn Campground, Sheeps Crossing, Lee Valley Reservoir, all three Greer lakes, Highways 260, 261, 273, and 373, Forest Roads 87 and 409, and all campgrounds at Big Lake.


Alpine Ranger District – The area south of Nutrioso to Forest Road 249 (open) bordered on the west by Forest Road 88B (closed) and Highway 191; the area from Forest Road 249 south to Forest Road 403 (closed); the area south of Alpine from Highway 180 south to Forest Road 30 (open) and east to the Blue River Road (open) and west to Highway 191.


Clifton Ranger District – The area called Malay Gap bordered by the Forest boundary on the west to Highway 191 on the east and the Mogollon Rim on the north to Trail 33 (the East Eagle Creek Trail) on the south.

All roads accessing private lands within the closed area are open.

[Trailmix]

I need to confirm that water is present in Grant and KP Creek. Alpine Ranger district did not have any information.

Thanks.