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Wanted to do some backpacking in Saguaro NP Rincon Mtn district. Found this loop which looks to be about 20 miles, totally doable in two days, spend the night at Manning Camp just about the half way point, water there year round.

This hike will be April 25th and 26th.

Loop starting from Miller Creek, spending the night at Manning camp and returning via Turkey Creek, walk the road back to the car, or have a shuttle of only a few miles.

I'm going to be up there the weekend of Apr. 11th - it is a great hike. Keep in mind that the Madrona ranger station is not accessible to private parties (only to the Park Service). The closest trailhead is Hope Camp, and it's a long haul to Madrona from there. Turkey Creek and Miller Creek are both cool trails, and you can make a loop up to the bathtub using those with a short car shuttle or a longer walk (I think like 2 dirt road miles)... The NPS's wilderness brochure on their website is actually a pretty good resource, and it has the permit application on it (required to camp at Manning)...

There is no way to start at Madrona Trailhead.

Oh had no idea about Madrona Trailhead not being accessible for private parties, then scratch that and we will start at probably Miller or Turkey Creek trailhead and loop around from there, still overnighting at Manning Camp.

That's a fun loop. Going up Turkey might be a little less knee-battering. Don't forget the camping permit, there will be a ranger at Manning around the time you're planning to go.

Once we get the group together I will apply for the permit, how far in advance does it have to be? Jeff do you know?

You can pretty much apply the day of, as long as the camp isn't full.

You could show up today and get one for tonight. They almost never go over their daily limit.

Jeff MacE wrote: Don't forget the camping permit, there will be a ranger at Manning around the time you're planning to go

but i can say without hyperbole that he is trained to look for bright yellow tents, and not brown hammocks. stealth is the name of the game here, bro

They are trained to look for anything more than a daypack though

haha you havent seen my backpack! they would never even consider that im on a 3 day trip.. seriously

I have a friend that does 3 dayers out of an old Kelty daypack, so I believe you


and I'm working my way down there myself...

Wally, Mike which weekend would work better for you guys? I am indifferent.

i have a group hammock camp on the 11-12th, then only available two weeks from then. april 25th is good for me. that is why I signed up interested, will move to the commited list if you can firm up that date. peace, mike

April 24th-25th would be the weekend I would be able to go. I was also thinking about Lemmon.

Alright I have set the date for this as April 25th and 26th. Seems to make the most sense for me, I could use the next weekend at home for getting ready for finals.

April 25th and 26th it is.

I am in. I did Turkey/Spud Rock/Manning/Devil's Bathtub about 15 years ago, shortly after the fires; Turkey was badly burned, so it will be interesting to see how much it has recovered. There will be good water at Deer Spring at the head of Turkey (unburned area), in addition to Manning. I have never done Miller; I have always wanted to do Miller to Happy Valley Saddle to Rincon Peak. I believe there will be good water also at Happy Valley Saddle campground. Does anyone know if Miller is likely to have water?

No water along Miller...especially that time of year. You would need to trek up to Deer Head.

Ahhh!! This sounds awesome. I'm back up on navajoland that weekend though...I'll stay tuned in case things change. Have fun!!

Jeff MacE wrote:No water along Miller...especially that time of year. You would need to trek up to Deer Head.

I should have called it Deer Head spring not Deer Spring.