Show me the fleurs

[Funhog]

Greetings all! I am new to this forum and relatively new to desert backpacking, having only spent one week in Cedar Mesa, UT. Most of my experience is in the mountains of the Pacific Northwest. I am scheming on a long weekend backpack to AZ during wildflower season. I will be flying in and out of Phoenix so I don't want to spend hours in the car getting to a trailhead. Any ideas of trails that have water, aren't extremely steep and have decent camp spots? Oh yeah... and good flowers?

[joebartels]

There's been little rainfall in this already bone dry climate, the wildflower outlook is rather dismal. Hopefully we'll get some rain. This map will start populating more data in about a month. Here's an exhaustive list of possible backpack hikes close to Phoenix in February over six miles. You can change the creek preference to seasonal and get a smaller list. Beware, most of those hikes are rather difficult.

[Funhog]

Thanks for the links. BTW What do you consider difficult?

[BobP]

Thanks for the links. BTW What do you consider difficult?

I believe this hike is the hardest hike Joe has ever done http://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=1359

[joebartels]

BTW What do you consider difficult?

Check out the distance/elevation stats to decide what's good for you. You can sort the columns too. When I clicked on difficulty the top five would be brutal IMO based on offtrail, high mileage and elevation involved/combined.

Deluge in central Phoenix right now

[writelots]

Any ideas of trails that have water, aren't extremely steep and have decent camp spots? Oh yeah... and good flowers?

Dude, it's Arizona.

Try this one: http://www.hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=1805. Unless we get no water in the next few months, there will likely be plenty at Sycamore Reservoir - it's a fun place to camp. There are several different points to start/stop/loop on this route - with potential for beautiful grassland and desert canyon wildflowers. I did it in April '09 - not the best flower year, but we had a few good'ns...

[BobP]

Deluge in central Phoenix right now

It was pouring on one side of our building(downtown PHX) and drizzling on the other side.

Is the member of the month still up for grabs? I may go snowshoeing on Secret Mtn Sunday and only bring one pole.

[nonot]

Sounds like you should plan your trips for late March, near to Phoenix your options are probably Cave Creek area and the Superstitions. Goldfields are possible, though less popular.

With lots of rain it may be a good wildflower season in the spring.

First Water to Charlesbois?
Big loop using the cave creek trail? http://www.hikearizona.com/phoZOOM.php?ZIP=59864

[joebartels]

and only bring one pole

Man getting old blows, I just got that

[Funhog]

Check out the distance/elevation stats to decide what's good for you.

In my personal backpacking experience, what I consider some of my hardest days, with a full pack, were 2100' gain in 8 miles, a steady uphill, and 1000' in 1.3 miles with seven more downhill miles after that pass.

I know it's hard to believe but here in OR there are long stretches of trail, even on the PCT, with no water for many miles. East of the Cascades, about two thirds of the state, is mostly high desert with less than 14" of rainfall a year. I've learned to plan carefully.

[johnlp]

What happpened to the Beavers!? Maybe the Ducks can fare better. Be a little conservative on your distance and elevation gain here, the trails are more difficult than in Oregon (my home state). Very few trails here are smooth. Most are uneven with lots of loose rock. The Dutchman trail from the Peralta trailhead goes through Barkley Basin which is usually very pretty in spring. If you then take the Whiskey Springs trail to La Barge creek, there are good camping spots and water. Let me know when you are going, I may tag along for a day hike. Enjoy!

[azbackpackr]

Loose rock? You mean, some place don't have that? Is it still considered "hiking" if there is no loose rock? ;)

Seriously, though, I doubt if there will be a super great wildflower season. The best spring wildflowers occur when there is a LOT of rain in Oct. and Nov. which didn't happen this year. Dec. rain will help, though.





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