HikeArizona.COM

Greetings all,

I have been contracted to write a hiking guide for the Tonto NF, and all that entails. Which means I need to select about 40 good hikes from the 196+ listed trails and not so listed trails. I am in the process of plowing through the many hike descriptions on this site and a few others, looking for clues to narrow down my itinerary, but I would appreciate suggestions from the community as to what hikes are too cool to be left out of a guidebook.

I'm fairly set on where I want to go around the Rim, and around the low deserts. What I'm really looking for are reasonable hikes in and around the Mazatzal and Superstition WA's - particularly day hikes - which comprise most of the book.

A few limitations you should know about:
*) Part of my submission on each hike includes a GPS generated map - which means I actually have to hike the hike (not an unreasonable requirement, when you think about it).
*) I'm trying to avoid bushwhacking.
*) I'm trying to avoid trailheads that can only be reached by HC 4WD's. Most people don't have access to these things. Anyway, my primary vehicle is a Buick sedan.
*) I have a day job.
*) My final deadline is end of June 2008.

Any input would be appreciated.
Thanks,

Tony Padegimas

Mazatzal Divide Trail

*) I'm trying to avoid trailheads that can only be reached by HC 4WD's. Most people don't have access to these things. Anyway, my primary vehicle is a Buick sedan.

Check

*) My final deadline is end of June 2008.

check

*) Part of my submission on each hike includes a GPS generated map - which means I actually have to hike the hike (not an unreasonable requirement, when you think about it).

um...you have a GPS...so...check

*) I have a day job.

OK, just take two weeks off

*) I'm trying to avoid bushwhacking.

err, nevermind

LaBarge Box

Who's your publisher?

"A few limitations you should know about:
*) I'm trying to avoid bushwhacking.
*) I'm trying to avoid trailheads that can only be reached by HC 4WD's. Most people don't have access to these things. Anyway, my primary vehicle is a Buick sedan."

Tony,

Regarding bushwhacking- For these to be chosen hikes, what is your definition of bushwhacking?
Regarding TH access- For these to be chosen hikes, is a Buick sedan to the TH, the vehicle example we should use in recommending Mazatzal & Superstition Wilderness hikes?

No Bushwhacking? Half the fun is getting an Arizona pinstriping job on your legs and arms.

Anyone know who the publisher is going to be? Just curious.

In answer to various questions:
My concerns with bushwhacking are:
1) this guidebook is written with lower-skilled hikers in mind
2) I have 200+ trails to work with without bushwhacking and
3) I have a hard enough time finding some of these "trails" anyway.
That said, I am comfortable including a hike that goes up a wash, or along a ridge-top or from cairn-cairn, but it had better go someplace really cool to rise above my surplus of established routes. I am not including anything with the phrases "free-climbing" or "dead reckoning" or that requires a machete.
This has as much to do with space as it does with skill level. I have room for 40 hikes. Bushwhacking is one of the filters I use to get down to that number.

The Buick situation is along the same lines, though I am not as hardline about that. I lose too many TH's if I limit myself to a sedan. However, that's the windshield my Tonto Pass is affixed to, and the ignition system to which I have keys. Other vehicles are accordingly more troublesome. Trailhead access is still more of a tie-breaker than a deal breaker.

The book will be published by Menasha Ridge Press in Fall 2008.

Thanks all.

Tony