HikeArizona.COM

Hey guys just curious, me and some friends will hopefully be backpacking overnight April 14th and 15th. Just weighing our options, do you think Sycamore creek via the Doggie trail would have water? What about lower woods canyon south of the VOC? Parsons spring looks cool too, and I know West Clear Creek would be nice as well. So many options, so little time I'm up for suggestions-anything up to 2 hours away from Flagstaff. Thanks in advance!

I like upper and middle woods better than lower woods. Should be more water there...there's a swim in upper woods...sometimes 2 swims. Too cold though in April. Lower woods - hmm, not much good camping past the red rock beach until you make it to middle woods.

Ya, upper looks like fun, but a bit more of an adventure than what we were thinking. As long as there's some filterable water, it'd be fine and I know it's not the best place to backpack, but we would have fun :thanx: for the info though!

Sycamore creek via the Doggie trail - I was there a few years back in late fall. There was no water at that time. I doubt there would be water now, but check with the local ranger district and see if they know. There were a number of campsites so it appears during the right time it can be busy. In our case, we turned around and hiked back out the next day due to lack of water.

Parsons Spring - I have scouted it for doing an easy beginners backpack. You have to camp some distance above the last bit of water. I did not find any nice places to set up camp. In a pinch it can be done, but is not ideal. However, it is a great day hike and swimming holes and a mine to explore.

Some other options.
Oak Creek Canyon backpack - once you get in a ways you can escape the crowds. I have done two nights in this canyon and it was quite nice. Much of the hike you will be walking through ankle to shin deep water from what I recall. Check out camp spot options, I recall one was up a pretty steep bank.

Casner / Mooney Loop- if you are looking for a longer day hike, this hike starts out pretty tough up Casner Mtn but mellows out. I have done the Casner / Mooney loop twice starting from the Mooney trail head. On Mooney there is some flowing water, enough to refill water bottles etc. You could hike up Mooney until you reach the water and then set up a camp there. That should be a fairly easy hike. I don't recall exact distances but I think the water would be within 4-5.5 miles of the Mooney trail head.

Wet Beaver Creek or Fossil Springs more options.

Hope that helps.

Nate

Hey Nate, thanks a bunch for the info. Yeah, I like the doggie trail but was thinking we may be packing in water if we did it. And that's good to know about parsons spring, as I was kind of curious about the vegetation and stuff. Oak Creek- do you mean the West Fork? If I remember right, you have to be what about 6 miles from the trailhead to camp and need a permit, right? Casner Mtn/Mooney Trail sound intriguing, may have to look into them. Thanks again!

Yes I was thinking West Fork Oak Creek Canyon. Not sure if a permit is required. The two times I have done it someone else was lead and planned the trip. Lucky me!

Casner Mountain / Mooney is very close to Dogie Trail.

Looking at the mid Feb Trip reports on Dogie trail shows that there was no water at that time.

Post hike, if you are looking for wineries to visit, there are a number of them near by in Cornville and Old Town Cottonwood.

Enjoy!

You don't need a permit to camp in West Fork, but you do need to be more than 6 miles in before camping is permitted.

Thank you both for the information, I was pretty sure about the 6 miles for the west fork, but glad you don't need a permit. about the wineries and yeah I was surprised when I found out we had them in AZ. The West Fork is sounding better and better. I saw one thing that said no campfires, only backpacking stoves, is that still in effect? Thanks again!

ineedtoeatnow wrote:Thank you both for the information, I was pretty sure about the 6 miles for the west fork, but glad you don't need a permit. about the wineries and yeah I was surprised when I found out we had them in AZ. The West Fork is sounding better and better. I saw one thing that said no campfires, only backpacking stoves, is that still in effect? Thanks again!

What's a permit? ;)

azbackpackr wrote:

ineedtoeatnow wrote: What's a permit? ;)

You guys are great lol I still (to my knowledge) haven't met any hikeaz folks in person unfortunately. Maybe one day I'll get my butt in gear and go to an event or something. I'll post where we're going for sure if anybody could stand 3+ NAU Forestry student for one night and want to join

ineedtoeatnow wrote:

azbackpackr wrote:

ineedtoeatnow wrote: What's a permit? ;)

You guys are great lol I still (to my knowledge) haven't met any hikeaz folks in person unfortunately. Maybe one day I'll get my butt in gear and go to an event or something. I'll post where we're going for sure if anybody could stand 3+ NAU Forestry student for one night and want to join

I used to live in Flag, maybe will move back there one of these days.