HikeArizona.COM

I'm not working on Thursdays at the moment, and I want to try to get out and hike a bit and avoid those nasty crowds... It's monsoon season, and I'm crazy but not stupid.

Anyone up for something local-Tucson-ish? Aravaipa has permits...Or perhaps a dayhike in the Huachucas? Lemmon Pools? Water is good - but I'm flexible...

I am awaiting word to see if my WFR re-cert class will be Aug 9-11 (at UA) in which case I am hiking Sunday Aug 8: Wilderness of Rocks loop with Lemmon Rock LO, Radio Ridge, etc. I plan to hike as far down in there to where I used to camp by Lemmon creek, where the trail crosses the creek, then backtrack up to Lemmon Rock Lookout trail. Then do the loop, OR retrace my steps if necessary. Not sure how if all those trails still exist, but you used to be able to do a loop.

OR it might end up I am in the class that is Aug 6,7,8, in which case I am hiking (same hike) on Aug 5th--which is a THURSDAY! I think Jeff may join me if it is on Sunday. If it is on Thursday I will let you know. But that is the hike I am doing.

A Tucson friend was telling me it is too hot up on Mt. Lemmon since the fire because there is less shade, but she doesn't hike much, so I am not sure whether to listen to her or not. I used to backpack to W. of Rocks in summer, and camp by the last crossing there at Lemmon Creek. I don't remember it being hot then. Anyway, I am going to Mt. Lemmon. I have not been there since the fire. I have hiked almost all the trails in the Catalinas at one time or another, so I want to see what happened up there.

Do you know how long that loop is? I have a Rainbow Expeditions map, it looks like the loop would be around 8 or 10 miles to get back down to Marshall Saddle and Marshall Gulch. Inquiring minds want to know...

I'm willing to forgo my Wednesday Wrightson hike and go hike with you instead on Thursday. I was thinking either the one Joel just did (Four Spring/Crest Loop) in the Santa Ritas, OR maybe good old Miller Peak from Miller Canyon in the Huachucas. Let me know.

You mean this one: http://www.hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=15632 ??

Here's another alternative: http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/coronado/forest ... mons.shtml There's no write-up on the loop that I can find on HAZ - and that way we'd be doing public service in addition to a fun hike

Oh , I'd be there were it not for work!!

Yeah, that's the one. You can do a modified version of Joel's hike by doing a short bushwhack down from Pine Saddle along the Crest back to the Four Springs Trail, then head back. This cuts off some mileage and you don't have to go to Baldy and Josephine Saddles if you don't want to (more repetition though).

The other hike in the Chiricahuas is a nice loop. Did that one with Linda Miller a number of years ago. We went up Saulsbury and back down Mormon Canyon. I much prefer Mormon Canyon to Mormon Ridge.

I'm leaning toward the Cherry-Cows right now, just 'cause I was in the 'Ritas so recently... I haven't been to the Chiricahuas in over a year! Yikes!

Okay - so I'm thinking leave Tucson at like 5am, on the trail by 7 - Drive up to West Turkey Creek and park car. Hike up either Mormon or Salsbury, across Crest to Monte Vista, come back either Mormon, Salsbury or the unnamed trail on the map between Monte Vista and West Turkey Creek for a real adventure ;)

Pie from Stouts on the way home -perhaps even BBQ depending on the timing. Bringing Lilo the trail dog and lots of water...

Sounds like you want to really do a long hike. I had no idea we were going to throw in the Crest Trail to Monte Vista too. As long as it stays cloudy/rainy/cool I'm all for it. Wouldn't want to do all that with the sun beating down on us. 5 AM is fine. Thunderbolt and lightning, very very frightening? No, it just adds to the entertainment!

Mamma mia mamma mia....mamma mia figaro...

writelots wrote:Mamma mia mamma mia....mamma mia figaro...

I always think of Wayne's World when I hear that https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTheG--2NE0

@rlrjamy
good stuff, right on!!

azbackpackr wrote:A Tucson friend was telling me it is too hot up on Mt. Lemmon since the fire because there is less shade, but she doesn't hike much, so I am not sure whether to listen to her or not. I used to backpack to W. of Rocks in summer, and camp by the last crossing there at Lemmon Creek. I don't remember it being hot then. Anyway, I am going to Mt. Lemmon. I have not been there since the fire. I have hiked almost all the trails in the Catalinas at one time or another, so I want to see what happened up there.

I don't think it's too hot up at WOR this time of year. Yes there are more exposed spots than there used to be, but there still is plenty of shade to be found. I've dayhiked it and backpacked it several times in the summer months.