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Ive been looking for a good campspot that sees little use near or at a trailhead.. think pine mountain.. looking to go oct 16th-18th so needs to be around 3-5k elevation, as id prefer not to be too cold.. as far as the trail is concerned, im looking for a fairly easy hike to take the gf on, 5-6 miles is good, with little ele gain. creek or some type of water feature is a plus as the mut will be joining us, and you know dogs and water... (at least most of em) anywhere within 2-3 hours of phx is fine by me... ive looked all over traildex but the descrips dont really talk about camping at the th. thanks for any help/info!

See Canyon?

sounds like a possible winner, is it crowded at the TH, or is there a turnoff before the TH with some decent camping? im not too familiar with the area... thanks nonot

there's some good camping near these trailheads:
canyon creek @ airplane flat campground
canyon creek @ valentine ridge campground
260 trailhead on the e. end of the Highline Tr.
Washington park trailhead at the mid-highline tr.
aravaipa camp at brandenberg camp "spot"
car camp on telephone ridge then take namesake trail down to chevelon creek (bee-yoo-tiful!)
car camp at columbine? site and hike Ash Creek (pinalenos)
nice spot for camp at Sycamore Canyon Pajarita and hike a pleasant water filled desert oasis 5 miles to the mexico border
camp at Big Lake and hike the Thompson Trail on w. fork black river

ive done all of these. there are dozens more. all easy, go as far as you want sort of thing.

I wouldn't recommend washington park, there were a ton of trash, paramilitary folk, people shooting (at the rim, over the trail), and pretty raucous behavior when I went through there both times on Sunday. Far from an enjoyable quiet place to camp, See canyon might get just as bad this time of year. Maybe try one of te-wa's.

The canyon creek ones were pretty nice, campground attendant was a nice guy too (didnt camp there though, just parked and backpacked)

te-wa wrote:there's some good camping near these trailheads:
canyon creek @ airplane flat campground
canyon creek @ valentine ridge campground
260 trailhead on the e. end of the Highline Tr.
Washington park trailhead at the mid-highline tr.
aravaipa camp at brandenberg camp "spot"
car camp on telephone ridge then take namesake trail down to chevelon creek (bee-yoo-tiful!)
car camp at columbine? site and hike Ash Creek (pinalenos)
nice spot for camp at Sycamore Canyon Pajarita and hike a pleasant water filled desert oasis 5 miles to the mexico border
camp at Big Lake and hike the Thompson Trail on w. fork black river

ive done all of these. there are dozens more. all easy, go as far as you want sort of thing.

Te-Wa's post covers some favorites, but if "campspot that sees little use" is truly one of your preferences, many of these options don't fit your criteria for mid-October. I also would avoid Wash Park. Canyon Creek is at the upper edge of your elevation desires, and both Valentine Ridge and Airplane Flat tend to get plenty of visitors. Telephone Ridge is not used too much (except summer weekends) but it can be quite chilly in October. The Pinalenos are also way above your elevation hopes, as is Big Lake and the Thompson Trail. In the summer, this is a hike that you are most likely to find ample camping within a reasonable distance from the trailhead without other visitors.

Most hikes that begin on National Forest land allow dispersed camping except if otherwise posted. I usually camp within a mile or so of a trailhead and either hike or take a short drive from camp when I head out. It gives me the seclusion I usually prefer, while being close enough for the convenience of getting on the trail quickly.

OP said he prefers it to be "not too cold" which, to many of us, could mean different things. AND he's asking about car camping with dayhikes from a nearby trailhead. If you are car camping at Thompson trail you may encounter temps into the high 20's, but is that too cold?
if you are car camping you should by every means bring gear that is sufficient to handle these temps... if dayhiking in 64° weather with low humidity and little threat of precipitation then what's the worry?
If you are increasing the imaginary threat of danger because a fragile woman is involved in your endeavors, then i would say that you are being a chauvanistic pig.
women, believe it or not - are better equipped both mentally and physically to overcome challenges by real or imagined threats from that evil "nature" we all strive to overcome.

try this: instead of critisizing my choices, offer some of your own!

what do y'all think of them apples?

women, believe it or not - are better equipped both mentally and physically to overcome challenges by real or imagined threats from that evil "nature" we all strive to overcome.

Uh, it depends, just like men, some people will love the outdoors and some will hate it. In general, the more they like Dr. Phil, the less prepared they will be for the "outdoors".

I was going by the "around 3-5k elevation" mentioned in the OP. Certainly "not too cold" could mean anything to different people. But when the description includes "gf" and "little elevation gain" ... I tend to side with warmer and less-strenuous. After all, I assume they're sharing a tent at the end of this hike, and having been in this spot before, I know that its better to err on the side of her being comfortable. ;)
Chauvinistic? Some may think so. The well-suited ladies of the woods that I've been with usually appreciate it.

To have a really great time and a memorable trip with your girlfriend and mutt I would suggest renting a vehicle with 4wd. A secluded trailhead at 3,000 feet with water in AZ might be a bit too tall of an order unless you've got something that can romp over roads that the masses don't want to deal with. Those areas usually mean party zone (especially if there's enough water to swim).

The Falls campground at Workman Creek should be super nice . It's a classic fall color location so that's a plus. Workman Creek is full of maples. You'll likely share the campgrounds with other groups which sucks, but a perennial creek with red maples is hard to beat. There are plenty of trails in the area, but I would definitely recommend just rock hopping up the creek a ways, maybe up to the falls. If you decide to get a campsite right next to the creek there is a small shelf to maneuver in your car to get to the lower section of the campground. I've seen sedans do it twice so it's definitely doable.

South Fork #97 has regular campground that is pretty much deserted at this time of year. It's free at this time of year, also, and the campground has a nice creek, South Fork of the Little Colorado River, running right through the middle of it, with a footbridge and car bridge. The trail is gorgeous, and going up a couple miles you have the choice of a steep hike to Mexican Hay Lake, or continuing on up the creek. I have done easy backpacks up the creek, and camped 4 miles from the car campground and never have seen a soul up there. There are meadows up in there along the creek, also, and once you get 4 miles up, there will be aspens with the fall colors. An 8 mile round trip easy dayhike to see those aspens.

The drawback will be that it's cold at night, as the campground is at about 7500 feet. But you can have a campfire. Days right now are warm, but check Eagar forecast for weather. Greer topo map.

The northern portion of the AZ Trail Huachuca Segment is really quite nice - it goes through Sunnyside Canyon which may or may not have water in the bottom of it. There is plenty of good camping of FR 228 in the area, and if you venture just a little ways of the road, you'll be all by yourself. I camped in an area about 1/8th of a mile from the intersection of the trail and FR228, under a giant oak in a beautiful wash basin. Loved it.

Another option is the Santa Ritas passage - there are many forest roads and some beautiful camping spots. Water may be harder to find in this area, but Gardner Canyon is still a beautiful riparian area, and the hiking is choice. The Flume area has lots of fun mining remains and such to check out.

Go South, young man!

- this "well-suited lady of the woods"

writelots wrote:- this "well-suited lady of the woods"

;)

Rose Creek campground in the Sierra Anchas, several very appealing hikes nearby.

looks like we have a winner folks!!!! rose creek!!!


1 question tho, how much usage would you say it receives? as i am looking for well you know, privacy.. hehe

Rose Creek campground is literally right off the 288, so you're looking at pretty high usage. Any time I've driven by it there were lots of people around.

arg... might as well just go to workman falls then.. looks like im going in on thurdsday the 15th now, so should get a primo spot hehe

If you go to Workman Creek... There's three recreation areas along fr487. The first two (I think they're called "Creekside" and "Cascade") are only day use areas. The third recreation site, called "Falls," is overnight. It's free, and if you show up on Thursday you'll get some privacy for at least a night. If you drive a passenger car you probably won't want to go past the Falls campground as the road quickly degrades. My friend took his Dodge Neon way past, almost up to the Aztec Peak lookout once, so it's possible but not recommended. The waterfall is a short walk up the road from the campgrounds if you want to visit it, or a moderate rock-hop up the creek.

i would bet that Red has the gate closed, which is before the falls. although i could be wrong since his summer stint on the tower is likely over for the season(s)

you could also find many other areas in the Sierra Ancha like Reynolds Creek Trailhead and hike down to Hell's Hole.

fwiw, i would consider a trip to Peterson Ranch right off the Abbey's Way trail to score some apples.