HikeArizona.COM

Hello All -

We are planning to do a 50 miler for our scout summer camp next year. Our troop did this 1 year ago, but we had follow cars that delivered water and such to a base camp each night. Our hope is to be fully self-contained this year, but I am unaware of a location w/in arizona that would be certain to have ample water along a majority of the trails. I am originally from Utah, and we may try to take the troop up to the Uintas, but if there is a closer option, we would welcome it. In searching this forum and the web it appears that there was a Catalina Challenge, but I haven't found much about it other than it was discontinued.

Preference would be location in arizona, but open to areas closer to than the uintas (so cal, SW Colorado, Southern Utah).

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Rick

50 miles over how many days, and what dates next summer?

Water availability can change quite a bit before and after the start of the monsoon.

Looking for "ample water along a majority of the trails" is likely a challenge, but there should be options with guaranteed water at specific locations along the route.

They are most likely doing the 50 Mile-A-Foot-A-Float trip which requires five days and fifty miles.
Maybe the Highline Trail if it is long enough and or with options from it.
Go to this link to read about this trail.
http://hikearizona.com/decoder=757

Sorry - yes 50 miles 5 days.

If we are in warm weather country, i.e. Arizona we plan to do it first part of June, if we head up north then late July.

I had read about the #31 trail, but wasn't confident enough that it may hold the necessary amount of water for 12-13 year olds along the way.

There are many small streams along the way that you will be crossing and there are feeder trails from highway 60 that will give you access to trail junctions for resupply as well. There also are feeder trails from the top of the rim but they are less useful for resupply. It can still be quite cold at night in June but it will be cooler for the daytime backpacking compared to July.

Not to mention, the Highline isn't the most exciting trail out there ...

I might consider trying to piece together a trip from Greer to Big Lake. West Fork, Crossover, probably some old closed road hiking to get to Thompson, Black River, and Indian Springs. Plenty of water, always close to road access. June can be chilly at night, and July you may have to deal with monsoon storms. Pretty country up there and some great creekside camping possibilities though.

chumley wrote:Not to mention, the Highline isn't the most exciting trail out there ...

But for 12 and 13 year old's it is and it is enough adventure as well.

We would need group size information to determine if you would be exempt from wilderness areas.

Doing anything in July limits you to high country, where water is more sparse. The highline is too hot in July (at least for me). The first thing that comes to mind is a cabin loop figure 8? Add to that some AZ trail miles to get up to 50?

My sons did the Catalina Challenge with Scouts, which satisfied their 50 miles Afoot/Afloat, and also they got a patch from the Catalina Council for that hike. But the Catalina Council has kind of "dumbed-down" their expectations of boys and I don't even know if they have that patch any more. My kids did it when they were 11. It is a hard hike, so it has to be kids who love backpacking. Our troop did NO car camping at all, only backpacking. RIP Scoutmaster Roy Barker!!!!!! Loved that old guy!

I am not sure the route. I am thinking they started at Sabino, walked up to West Sabino, then up to Wilderness of Rocks, then (I'm not sure the route) got over to Oracle Ridge Trail, I think, and went on down to American Flag Ranch on the north side of the Catalinas. Good time of year is April. There is water.

You could do an R2R2R in Grand Canyon, and there would be water, but it's very hard to get a permit to do it.

I have received suggestions for the Verde River and the San Francisco River (near New Mexico) - has anyone hiked these? The forum shows an 11 mile Camp Verde hike and a 2 Mile San Francisco River hike. Anybody stretched these into longer routes?

Hiking the Verde River in July would be a good way to earn the near-death-experience merit badges.

In case you are not familiar, July temperatures hover in the 115 degree mark and there isn't that much shade along the Verde River trail as I understand it, though I have not actually hiked it yet.

I suppose floating the Verde river might be enjoyable at that time of year?

To give you one other idea, one might want to try the portion of the GET that takes you through Mt Graham. There is quite a bit of water in that area in June/July and it is fairly pleasant.

rickcmarsh wrote:Preference would be location in arizona, but open to areas closer to than the uintas (so cal, SW Colorado, Southern Utah).

Not in those states but within that range is the Gila Wilderness in NM
http://hikearizona.com/map.php?X=939

Unfortunately the West Fork and Middle Forks of the Gila river in the Gila Wilderness are suffering from many flash floods due to the past wildfires, but it is a nice place to explore in the summer. Perhaps the trails along the East Fork of the Gila would net them the 50 miles they are seeking?

first choice of mine that offers a variety of conditions: the AZT sections #30 and #29. Mormon lake, near the Lowell observatory and Marshall lake, follows the rim country of volcanic debris all the way to the town of Pine. 60+ miles, but you can cut it short and stop at Jack's Canyon. i found water in places where re-supply was needed, and never had to carry more than 3 liters at a time. i camped near sources.. tanks, springs, creeks.

http://hikearizona.com/decoder=2441
and
http://hikearizona.com/decoder=1729

you'll have to stock up on h2o at the start until you reach Dairy springs, a side trip of .75 mile. you can camp there or push on to Double Springs, a neat secluded car camping area with spigots for h2o and toilets. camping at Double requires a fee.
more water at Navajo spring, then you'll encounter clear tanks and a couple seeps until you get to Bargaman Park tank. fill up here! you'll end your hike and retrieve shuttle vehicles at Jack's Canyon.

Thank you for all the feedback and suggestions.

At this point I think we are going to keep it a little closer to home. Based upon research of the areas suggested I think we will look at the Highline Trail, Cabin Loop Figure 8, the AZT #29/30 or Big Lake/Greer Area.

I think we will target Early June as the time frame. We will probably have a group of 20 or so (depending on how many dads want to come with their sons). From your descriptions each of these areas may be cool at night, but much better day time hiking, and we avoid the monsoons.

Continued feedback on any of the above is welcome - as now I will be trying to confirm/piece together routes.

Best,
Rick

I'm assuming the Greer area hike you mentioned is the one that goes up South Fork (of the Little Colorado) Trail #97, but turns off to head for Greer Lakes, and then makes a connection with West Fork Trail #94 in Greer, and then to West Baldy Trail #94, and down East Baldy Trail #95 to East Fork Trail #95, and back through Greer to Greer Lakes and back down South Fork. When I lived in Eagar/Springerville I knew a number of people in the Scouting community who had done that one as a 50-miler. It would be best in late June or mid September. I've hiked all those trails, but not all at once. I figure if I did want to do it I'd talk to them about the connections in Greer, so as to not have to hike along the highway very much. I think they found a better route through town.
http://hikearizona.com/decoder=602
http://hikearizona.com/decoder=784
http://hikearizona.com/decoder=2309
http://hikearizona.com/decoder=2308
http://hikearizona.com/decoder=2308

In June, wouldn't forest closures to potential wildfires be a concern? It seems like the closures roll in every year around Memorial Day. This may not be a problem near Greer, but it could be tough re-planning a long route with a big group on short notice.

If I was hiking 50 miles, I would consider going to the Uintas: no worrying about finding water, extraordinary scenery, great fishing, cooler weather. Mosquitos could be bad in June/July.

Edit: Also consider the Pecos Wilderness near Santa Fe, NM. These mountains are the Southern end of the Rockies and they are fantastic. I drove to Jack's Creek camp site and trailhead in about 9 hours from Phoenix for a 4-day trip in early October this year. I would NOT go in June (they had a wildfire in 2013 - Jaroso - so the forest may be closed on precautions). July could be nice, but expect daily monsoons in the afternoon. Here is a link to my loop:

http://caltopo.com/map?id=6766

It's not 50 miles, but add in some day-hikes from a backcountry base camp (I'm sure the troop would like this), head further North than I did, hike along the Pecos River, etc and you can get to 50 miles. There's even the Skyline Trail through the Pecos which is around 50 miles long, just check first with the rangers about any trails which go through the burn area of Jaroso.

johnny88 wrote:In June, wouldn't forest closures to potential wildfires be a concern? It seems like the closures roll in every year around Memorial Day. This may not be a problem near Greer, but it could be tough re-planning a long route with a big group on short notice.

If I was hiking 50 miles, I would consider going to the Uintas: no worrying about finding water, extraordinary scenery, great fishing, cooler weather. Mosquitos could be bad in June/July.

Yes, but we're talking about hauling a bunch of Scouts from Arizona, and probably a few parents. Many will not have that much time off work. I lived near that Greer hike for many years, and yes, forest closures and/or huge fires are a definite possibility. You can plan for mid-July, but bring plenty of rain gear!

I did a 45 miler on the Skyline trail in the Pecos. Awesome country with lots of water and campsites. June is a great month because the monsoons in the high country can make it infinitely more difficult and dangerous. Lots of bighorn sheep and elk when we went.

http://hikearizona.com/decoder=15752