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I am wanting to do my first solo trip in the first weekend in May. I'm looking in the Payson or Prescott area and wanting to do a 2-3 day trip. Does anyone have a good idea for me? I'm not looking for the most challenging trail, just one that will clear my mind.

Do something along the Highline Trail. Not much backpacking possibilities that I'd recommend near Prescott. The top of the Mogollon Rim should be covered in either snow or mud.
It would be much cooler if your name was "Robodice" BTW. A "3-Man" game run amok!

my first solo trip was west clear creek-bull pen.. May is a good time to go, the water wont be too cold and the days wont be too hot yet..

Jim, would you recommend starting at the Pine TH or Geronimo TH? I'm probably thinking of doing around 20-30 miles total.

Berkforbes, I was reading the details on it. Honestly they were a little confusing. Once you pass the creek and start on the decent, did you camp in the area where it flattened out? And is there a water source near where you camped? It definitely looks really inviting, just want to get some more details on it.

I was also looking at the Saddle Mountain to Plateau Overlook Pt, AZ. Has anyone done that one?

Robdice wrote:I was also looking at the Saddle Mountain to Plateau Overlook Pt, AZ. Has anyone done that one?

I just did that as an overnighter about a month ago. Check the recent triplogs from me and Pathfinder Aaron. Aaron especially included many, many valuable details in his triplog and photoset. The Plateau Overlook point isn't a bad place to camp, but there won't be any water. If it's windy there are no trees to act as windbreaks. But, the sunsets and sunrises from up there are spectacular. A GPS with tracking may be good to have because there are some spots along the Copper Camp Trail where the trail will completely disappear for a short ways.

The Sheep Creek/Thicket Spring junction has a great campsite with lots of water if you want to set up base camp there and dayhike to the point.

My first solo backpack was the Ash Creek Trail in the Pinalenos. It was a nice, short and scenic trip. I might recommend something shorter than what you're considering, or at least with some escape routes. Nerves tend to be on end and lonliness sets in when you're not used to long, solo trips.

There are 4 creek crossings total, once you come out of the fourth crossing you will be on the north side of the creek. This will take you up onto the exposed south facing side of the canyon. Follow this trail until you see the cairns on the right side of the trail taking you back down to the creek. Once back down at the creek there are 2 different camp spots, the first being right at the bottom of the trail, the other being another 100 yards downstream from there. Its about 8 miles from the TH to this point. The creek runs right along the camp sights, and if you have a hammock i recommend using the spot downstream and hanging in the trees that lean slightly over the creek. nothing like falling asleep over the creek..

I also agree with azpride, id suggest not doing so much distance for my first solo trip.

I agree, too. I haven't done it in years, but I probably will do it sometime again. I was sometimes a little nervous, as you said, but man, the boredom also really set in. Better to go when the days are long! I did always bring a book to read. I must have done a fairly long one when I was about 21, because I remember being dropped off in Cuyamaca and my mom drove all the way up to Mt. Laguna to pick me up, and I think I must have been out 3 or 4 nights.

On another of those solo trips in Cuyamaca is where I heard the mtn. lion screaming very close by, and me with no tent! So I bought a tent!

Recently I found a diary I had kept on the trip from Cuyamaca to Mt. Laguna. I had forgotten about the horsemen. There were several horsemen who passed me by, said hi, how are you, and rode on. Then one turned back and said he had bet his friends a bunch of money that he could get me to ride on the horse with him. It seemed all in fun so I agreed. We had a time trying to tie my big frame pack on the saddle so that both of us could also fit on the horse. So, somewhat triumphantly on his part, we caught up with the others, and they had to pay up! Dang it, though, I should have asked for a cut!

One time when I lived in Hawaii, though, I stayed totally by myself in a 3-sided off-the-grid cabin in the jungle for a month without seeing or talking to anyone. I planted a garden, played the guitar, wrote songs, read books, listened to music (until my batteries died.) I remember it as being a pretty nice time. There were people within a half mile, if I had needed anyone. The cabin was up a narrow hiking trail on the side of a steep hill, called Rabbit Hill, near Honaunau in South Kona. There was a great view of the sea, there were banana trees and wild avocados...

Ok, you can have a lot of fun with this, but I do think, like they said, it may take some getting used to.

azbackpackr wrote:One time when I lived in Hawaii, though, I stayed totally by myself in a 3-sided off-the-grid cabin in the jungle for a month without seeing or talking to anyone. I planted a garden, played the guitar, wrote songs, read books, listened to music (until my batteries died.) I remember it as being a pretty nice time. There were people within a half mile, if I had needed anyone. The cabin was up a narrow hiking trail on the side of a steep hill, called Rabbit Hill, near Honaunau in South Kona. There was a great view of the sea, there were banana trees and wild avocados...

That must have been the greatest experience ever!

I wasnt really scared or nervous for my first solo trip, in fact i almost enjoy it more when im alone. I have nobody to question me and make me second guess myself, nobody to try and keep up with, or wait up for... Being alone also adds a lot too the trip, makes it almost more natural, and primal.

However, everyone is different and mental toughness is not something you can gauge until you are put in that situation. I would keep it simple for the first time and then go from there.

As Berk describes, there is something spiritual about spending the night truly alone in the wilderness many miles from anything or anyone, where 'dark' takes on a whole new meaning and the sounds of the night are like nothing you've ever heard before. And, as he and azpride both suggest, keep it short and simple... but, not because you couldn't do more, rather because you should take the time to really enjoy and appreciate the moment and you can't do that if you're 'busy' or exhausted. I will never forget the feeling of sitting alone in a canyon in absolute darkness where you could see every star in the sky and just thinking, "Holy WOW!" Those are the moments you'll keep forever. Set aside plenty of time for them.

Yup, first solo trip = coolest thing ever.

Highline Trail between Tonto Creek and See Canyon.

Wow, thanks a lot guys. I totally see your point on not making it a grueling hike and keeping it relatively short. I'm pretty pumped up and a little nervous too (in a good way though). Guess it's time to start planning. Thanks again!

Glad we could help, and you can listen... ;)

You will have an awesome time, no matter where you go. Backpacking solo is one of the best experiences one can have by oneself.. I do a lot of solo trips, but my dog is generally by my side, makes it not as lonely.. I also dont feel as crazy when i talk to her, as opposed to chatting up myself on the trail.

In response to berkforbes:
nice new avatar

In response to rlrjamy:
agavechuckapelli

berkforbes wrote:I also dont feel as crazy when i talk to her, as opposed to chatting up myself on the trail

I was thinking about this on my AZ foray a couple of weeks ago... Didn't have my dog with me (she'd have been a pin-cushion). I kept the self-chat to a minimum and refrained from getting into any major arguments

I really enjoyed the solitude!

berkforbes wrote:In response to rlrjamy:
agavechuckapelli