HikeArizona.COM

I'm from Flagstaff.

Will be in Phoenix for the week of Thanksgiving...

Was considering taking my 7 year old on his first overnight backpacking adventure..(with his trusty knife of course).

Any thoughts on a nice 3-5 mile hike with some cool things to see in the Phoenix area...maybe Whitetanks, Superstitions, etc...hopefully with filterable h20.

Look into Hackberry, Lower LaBarge box, Seven Springs area, Agua Fria river (in from Badger Springs), Reed's Water ......... all have water.
When my youngins were that age I had a lot of success in bringing (plastic, but decent) binoculars and a magnifying glass to help them in growing their 'spirit of discovery'. If time/circumstances allow, maybe pick up some pyrite beforehand and 'seed' an area so he can look for 'gold'.

Thanks for the reply...this looks interesting...worried a bit about crowds though...I see no one has trip reported in Nov. which I find odd.

http://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=1296

Camp Creek Falls isn't a very desirable backpack location, IMO.

The Willow Trail in the White Tanks would be a pleasant backpacking option. I'm pretty sure in order to backpack out there you only have to give the rangers specifics on where you're hiking and camping; otherwise they'll see you're car at night and assume you're stuck out there.

http://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=2242

Mesquite/Willow loop in the White Tanks. You can just do an out and back to Willow Springs which would be about 5 miles round trip. Willow Springs is set back in a large alcove and there's a pool there that always has water. The hike is easy and the scenery is nice. One of my favorite valley hikes.

Guess since it's only one night (and Nov.) I could pack a ton of water...or maybe cache.

Thanks pride...I'm familiar with White Tanks as I've done the goat trail out & back...looks like a perfect little hike for us.

I know there's an entrance fee...do you need a permit for overnight? Or like you say, just notify the rangers? Can you do campfires at Whitetanks?

Can anyone else here chip in a few suggestions....few folks have suggested Superstitions, but no real trails to research.

Right now I'm look at the Mesquite/Willow in WT loop for our hike...

One thing has changed, the whole family is going...so my wife and I will lug 90% of the camp weight...with my 10/7 year old something light...our 5 year old will be lucky to make 5 miles naked.

I know the Permit will be a bit pricey, but nothing too extreme.