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My buddy and I are going on a 3 day trip into aravaipa canyon at the end of february. We are starting at the West trailhead and are just planning on exploring all the different little side canyons. I was wondering if anybody knew of where some good campsites are, and where are some cool places to go check out.
Also I was planning on buying a pair of those sealskinz waterproof socks, has anybody used those here? are they worth the money? We are both going to bring a water filter and I'm bringing a dromedary bag to fill up for our camp water. Anybody else have any advice?

There are camps at varying intervals all along the canyon, some are bigger or better than others. There is a popular camping area near the mouth of Horse Canyon on the south side of Aravaipa Creek. (This is about 4.3 miles in from the west T/H) Horse Canyon is a nice side trip, and if you enjoy some scrambling, Virgus is a hoot.
Moving east, Booger and Hell Hole are both very nice; Booger is a bit of scrambling whereas Hell Hole is more of a 'walk', but is really pretty. The mouth of Hell Hole is about 4 miles from the mouth of Horse. I have been about 5 miles up HHC and there is a ranch there, but the most interesting sections are the first 4 miles from the mouth.
I'm not a fan of neoprene socks, but some folks like them - you'll have to make your own call on that one.
I'd pack a lightweight pair of fleece/down/etc. slippers - they feel nice after you take off your wet shoes/boots at the end of the day.
It's a beautiful area, you can't go TOO far wrong anywhere you decide to explore. Enjoy!

I went in Dec and camped just before that camp across from Horse Camp Canyon. My son and I wore ordinary Teva sandals, although most people prefer shoes. I wore the NRS hydroskin titanium socks, they were very nice. I wore regular socks under them. Horse Camp Canyon has a little waterfall. There is some serious scrambling further on up it. We went a little way up Virgus, but ran out of time. Definitely you do want some dry camp shoes to relax in. I didn't bring any, just put on dry socks with the wet Tevas.

Thanks a lot guys, I'm really looking forward to this trip after seeing all the photosets on here it looks incredible. I was under the impression the whole canyon was only 6 miles long for some reason, but obviously its much longer. How far can you go into it before hitting the east trailhead? and how is the water temperature?

@mromero: Are you aware of the need to purchase passes ahead of time?
Check here for availability:
https://www.blm.gov/az/aravaipa/hikingcalendar.cfm

BTW, if you haven't already got passes, from the west side Saturday 2/26 is already filled.

Have you checked out the hike description for Aravaipa? It has some great info. You might also want to read through some of the triplogs that people have posted.

http://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=2

There are several good campsites under the trees along the creek. Definitely take the time to explore some of the side canyons. Have a great trip!

mromero wrote: How far can you go into it before hitting the east trailhead? and how is the water temperature?

It's +/- 11 miles T/H to T/H. (There are actually 2 T/H at the east entrance; one @ Turkey Creek and the 2WD/low clearance one back about a mile or so.)
In winter, the water is generally about 10 degrees above the median air temp, and warmer at the east end.

Yeah I already got passes for the days we're going, the 27th, 28th and the 1st. We were planning on that saturday but they sold out before I could get them. But thanks for letting me know that would have ruined my weekend if I wouldn't have known that haha.

I have read some triplogs on here but not mony about aravaipa, I'll have to do that. And that is mainly what we're going to do, just explore everything we can. We don't have a destination in mind.

I thought for sure the water was going to be really cold, I'm surprised it's a little warmer than the air temp thats good to know. Thanks for all your help guys I just joined this site last year and it's great, everyone is really helpful.

I've done it both with regular athletic shoes and special water hiking shoes. Forget what brand I have, but they were definitely preferable to athletic shoes as they don't accumulate sand. (They are mesh, so sand and water flows through them.) I got them at the Az Hiking Shack on cave Creek Rd. Not sure how they would be for long/over night distances. Fwiw, Aravaipa is a combination of BLM, Nature Conservancy and private land. Hiking BLM and NC land is covered by your ticket, but avoid the private land. Don't know how well known it is here, but the east end is closed off because the folks who own the ranch out there withdrew the right of way after the feds busted one of them for drug running a few years back. FYI ...

kingsnake wrote: Don't know how well known it is here, but the east end is closed off because the folks who own the ranch out there withdrew the right of way after the feds busted one of them for drug running a few years back. FYI ...

.

The feud between the land owner & the Gub'ment is settled. The east entrance is open and has been open for over 2 years.

sweet

Just got permits for Aravaipa in October going from east to west.
We plan on camping at Horse Camp on night one. Can anyone recommend a good place to camp headed west from Horse Camp for night two? There are six people in our party.

Please and thank you.

There's a nice site right next to a swimming hole that would accomadate 6 people about two miles from the west trailhead. It's on creek right and has a fire ring with rock chairs around it. You can't really miss it, since you have to walk on that side of the creek at that point - there are small cliffs on the other side.

There are some awesome Canyons to explore at the East End. You may find that you will want to Camp the first night before Horse Camp.....

Is there a way to make a loop out of the canyon by hiking the top and camping above the canyon and the making the trek through the canyon the following day back to the lot. Reason being is I can't secure a permit for Sunday but can for Monday. So the plan would be to hike the top and camp above thus not needing a permit, correct?

GOYAAH wrote:Is there a way to make a loop out of the canyon by hiking the top and camping above the canyon and the making the trek through the canyon the following day back to the lot. Reason being is I can't secure a permit for Sunday but can for Monday. So the plan would be to hike the top and camp above thus not needing a permit, correct?

Have you checked for a permit at the opposite T/H?

It is an easy hike out Hell's Hole Cyn. and a couple of the others, but the cross-country part would likely be tedious (as well as water-less); but if you do it that way I would suggest the south side.

You would have to be seriously hardcore to do such a thing. (Unless the loop was really small.) Just look at a topo ( http://hikearizona.com/map.php?QX=2114 ) of the surrounding terrain, and you will see that you would have to cut across (or canyoneer) *a lot* of side canyons. Not saying you can't, just saying beware. Also, though not requiring a NFS permit, the surrounding land is a mixture of private, reservation, Nature Conservancy, etc. Depending on which may or may not take kindly to someone trekking across it. (Assuming they even notice, it's a big area.) Again, not saying don't, just be aware.

hikeaz wrote:

GOYAAH wrote:Is there a way to make a loop out of the canyon by hiking the top and camping above the canyon and the making the trek through the canyon the following day back to the lot. Reason being is I can't secure a permit for Sunday but can for Monday. So the plan would be to hike the top and camp above thus not needing a permit, correct?

Have you checked for a permit at the opposite T/H?

It is an easy hike out Hell's Hole Cyn. and a couple of the others, but the cross-country part would likely be tedious (as well as water-less); but if you do it that way I would suggest the south side.

Yeah I checked the other entrance but no dice. Honestly it was a spur of the moment idea and we didn't even know we needed permits till just now. Thanks for the info.

kingsnake wrote:You would have to be seriously hardcore to do such a thing. (Unless the loop was really small.) Just look at a topo ( http://hikearizona.com/map.php?QX=2114 ) of the surrounding terrain, and you will see that you would have to cut across (or canyoneer) *a lot* of side canyons. Not saying you can't, just saying beware. Also, though not requiring a NFS permit, the surrounding land is a mixture of private, reservation, Nature Conservancy, etc. Depending on which may or may not take kindly to someone trekking across it. (Assuming they even notice, it's a big area.) Again, not saying don't, just be aware.

Sounds like a fun challenge but out of my level of backcountry adventures. Maybe in the future.

kingsnake wrote: mixture of private, reservation, Nature Conservancy, etc.

To add to Kingsnake's comment here - past experience has shown me the borders between different entities are not always marked. So you might not know when you cross from one to the other - hence getting into trespassing trouble. Most of the north side is definitely bordered by San Carlos reservation land, and they definitely frown on trespassers (been there, done that, it wasn't pleasant!). If you DID decide to do this, going from the south side rather than the north is highly recommended.