Pinaleno mountains convenient camping

[JoelHazelton]

A friend and I will be going up to the Pinalenos this weekend to camp. This Friday we don't plan on leaving the valley until 7 pm, so are there convenient spots off the swift highway where we can just kinda park and set up camp right there? Saturday we'll probably camp at Riggs Lake, but I just need something on Friday night, preferably close to Ash Creek TH. Thanks.

[joebartels]

Chumley wrote: http://hikearizona.com/dex2/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=2866

For anybody looking to "car camp", the Pinalenos don't offer many options outside of developed campgrounds. I actually sleep in the back of my truck most of the time, and that's not even possible at the Hospital Flat Campground, where you have to park in one area, and set up camp a short walk away.

Nonetheless, there are probably about a dozen spots off on one of several 4x4 roads that are suitable for camping and solitude with vehicular access. Don't count on finding them empty unless you're there early though, as I found most occupied by Friday mid-afternoon.

As stated above however, I found numerous great spots for dispersed camping while hiking the trails. That seems to be the way to go when spending the night on Mt. Graham.

On a positive note, presumably due to the lack of roads and 4x4 trails up there, there's not a lot of traffic. So you won't be frequently disturbed by Quads, 4x4, or motorcycles cruising past your serene wilderness experience (as frequently occurs along the Mogollon Rim and White Mtns.)

[JoelHazelton]

Hmm... That changes things a bit... I guess we really just need to sleep out in that area so that we don't have a drive ahead of us in the morning. I've never been out there before. Anything around the base of the mountains? Closer to safford? Just anywhere that we could car camp within an hour or so of the mountains I suppose. Camping along a trail wouldn't be a bad option if we weren't arriving around midnight. P.S. We have a passenger car...

[JoelHazelton]

Or... are there any trails that have good campspots within a mile or so of the trailhead? I suppose as long as we have everything prepared and everything, it would be alright to do a short flashlight hike to a campsite.

[whereveriroam]

There is a CG off of 266 on the south side of the mountain. I believe it's called Stockton pass and the TH for the Shake trail leaves from it. Shake trail is nice with no fire damage but has southern exposure and a spring. Not too far of a drive from 191 if your coming from I-10. It might be a little warm but I think it's at 5000' or so.

[joebartels]

you could just take a six hour car "nap" at the trailhead before the hike

it definitely wipes you out to do that as a day hike from the valley, it's just a tad too far

[Hoffmaster]

Why not consider driving just a bit longer on Friday night? There are all sorts of spots to camp along the Forest Roads that go back to the Ash Creek trailhead.

[Nighthiker]

Spend the night at Roper Lake State Park. Not sure how late you may be because they close the front entry gate.

[JoelHazelton]

Hoffmaster, you said what I want to hear, except the hike description said the trailhead is right off of Swift Trail. Are you referring tot he lower trailhead or upper?

[chumley]

Joe quoted my response from my visit earlier this summer, but from your description, I would feel reasonably comfortable heading up late on a Friday night.

It doesn't take too much space for two people to set up camp, and if you're not looking for relative seclusion as I usually do, there are more opportunities.

I'm used to the Mogollon Rim where there are endless lightly-traveled roads to set up camp. Mt. Graham has few such opportunities. However, you might look down FR508 (avoid the private property of Columbine and the Bible Camp at the end of the road). The area past Riggs Lake also offers many spots to put up a tent. In this area, you will likely be within a few hundred yards of somebody else though ... unless its not a busy weekend.

As for alternative spots, Noon Creek didn't have a single site occupied last month when I was there as its quite hot during the day ... but would make a suitable spot to camp at night and ascend the mountain in the morning.

I qualify this reply with this fact: I've only been to Mt. Graham once. There are other HAZ members who know this area a lot better than I. Besides my hikes, I think I explored every open road in my truck. There's just not that many miles of them.

[JoelHazelton]

I'm not looking for seclusion at all... We want to show up, set up camp, maybe drink a beer and then crash. Next morning wake up before the sun rises, break camp, and go hiking. Saturday evening I'll put more effort into actually finding a campsite.

[Hoffmaster]

Are you referring to the lower trailhead or upper?

Disregard everything I have previously posted. I was thinking of Ash Creek in the Galiuro's. Sorry. I am a Pinaleno Mtns virgin.

[RedRoxx44]

For "formal" camping you could chose Hospital Flat, or near Grant Creek TH area or some spots right at the Ash Creek TH which is very near Columbine Ranger station but on opposite side. They can fill up quickly. Camping at the lake is usually a zoo.

Several dirt roads up there, just pull off and drive a little. If it's muddy you may have trouble in a car. At the Grant Loop access not really a camp area but a large pull out past Hospital Flat that is relatively flat and close to road. You might be able to "homestead" there just for a short overnight. Not really a camp area.

A premier campsite is 4X4 access but also if you drive past RIggs lake on the main road and ignore the signs for Clark Peak TH, some areas in the trees right off there offer some nice camping and possible sunrise views.

Have fun, haven't been up there yet this summer, have to remedy that soon.

[PrestonSands]

...As for alternative spots, Noon Creek didn't have a single site occupied last month when I was there as its quite hot during the day ... but would make a suitable spot to camp at night and ascend the mountain in the morning.

The Noon Creek picnic area has a sign saying no overnite camping, but hey, if the forest service doesn't catch you...

[JoelHazelton]

Well we ended up not even getting there until 3 AM Saturday morning. Just pitched a tent at one of the vacant campsites at the Ash Creek TH and broke camp around 8:30 the same morning. It rained like a mother on our hike. We were going to spend another night up there but it just kept raining. Decided to head back towards Phoenix and find somewhere to camp off the 60 where it might be dry. Just as we were giving up, we went through a completely dry Globe. Camped at Oak Flats by Superior. Very good weekend. Check out the Ash Creek pictures, should be up within 24 hours.