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I want to do it at the middle or end of next month. Will it be to cold? I can filter and drink the water right? Is there fish? What about rabbits, anyone see any?
Thanks for all your help!

on the verge, yes, yes, yes

I've been thinking about this one, should be some color in the leaves hopefully by then. Where are you considering accessing it? Via Fossil Creek would be interesting (although too cold by now). Red Creek seems like a great way to get there though.

what do you consider too cold?
my idea is below 15° - by then its just no fun trying to fiddle with a stove to make coffee with numb fingertips.
One of the trips i have on my list is starting at Deadman Mesa and following down to the Verde river proper.
look into it, it may be the toughest trail in the area however due to considerable elevation change and remoteness.
the link only has pics, no hike description yet... http://www.hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=883
going in this way is prolly just as long as driving the 45 miles out of Carefree but hey, why not do it from both sides?!

and yes, you can have a fire (i hate rabbits)

te-wa wrote:and yes, you can have a fire (i hate rabbits)

Why are any "rabbits" on this trail an important issue to know?

its an old hippie saying (i think) that i heard from Matt, when smoke from the fire gets in your eyes you should reply with "i hate rabbits"
ive heard it from about 5 people now. word travels fast, i guess

azpride wrote:Via Fossil Creek would be interesting (although too cold by now).

te-wa wrote:what do you consider too cold?

I think Joel means that the water would be too cold. I disagree with that too. I've been to Fossil Creek after Halloween and the water was warmer than the air. The water is a constant 70-something degrees year-round.

te-wa wrote:i heard from Matt, when smoke from the fire gets in your eyes you should reply with "i hate rabbits"

It's "white" rabbits. Rabbits in general are fine. Don't be a hater.

Oh, I almost forgot. Fishing is not allowed in Fossil Creek. Seriously.

Hoffmaster wrote:Rabbits in general are fine. Don't be a hater

i was referring to the OP asking "will it be too cold"
im guessing he is asking about the air temp, since trail #11 isnt a water hike.
youre looking at 2500' or so and you'll have to make sure you have gear to cover temps down to freezing, or below.
Middle or end of November can easily see temps in the mid 20's at those elevations- but more likely it will be above freezing.
one of the coolest trips in the state would involve a put-in at Camp Verde and then canoe down to Sheep's Bridge. BUt I dont have a canoe

te-wa wrote:i was referring to the OP asking "will it be too cold"

Once again, I am an idiot. Sorry about that.

We have used the "I hate rabbits" since I was a little girl I learned it in girl scouts. When the smoke blows your way from the campfire you say it and it goes another direction...

Hey this would be a great trail for that time of year, water, hunting, great temps, and then the fantastic scenery. Then again, the desert and just about any terrain under 6000' is pretty novel to me. I hardly every see it.
Funny thing, most people move to Arizona and tell people back home about their experiences. My guess is that 11 degrees in October and 200 inches of snow on a mountain are not what people outside of this state expect to hear about. I got to start getting down low and enjoy the real "Arizona experience". Frost bite wasn't in the brochure.

Most of the Verde Trail is high desert except the most northern portion which climbs steeply and arduously up to 5900' (at Twin Buttes TH) just outside of Strawberry AZ.
I'd start north, then, and go south. Whatever you're facing in the morning at Twin Buttes is likely your overnight low near the river.
Both Twin Buttes and Sheep Bridge TH's will require high clearance vehicles.
I'd plan on three days, but it could be done in two days of hard marching.
The middle parts of this trail do not see much traffic. Bring the means to find your own route.
It's called the Dirty Verde for a reason, that reason being particulates (which also give it the green color). It's safe enough to drink by just boiling it, but a filter makes it easier to look at before you swallow it.
The Verde River from around the Fossil Creek confluence to above Sheep's Bridge has been designated "Wild and Scenic" by the Feds. It is also called the Graveyard of Canoes by the local boating community. Just so's ya know.
The Tonto NF has a PDF on their website on the Verde. It's aimed at voters, but useful to pedestrians as well.

Good luck.
Tony