HikeArizona.COM

So my wife and I are moving out of Arizona at the end of may. Before we go we want to do a backpacking trip with a fair amount of epic-ness so we can leave on a high note. We applied for a rim-to-rim-to-rim but our permits were sadly denied. We are looking for something maybe 5 to 7 nights that we can do in mid May. Preferably a loop, not too hot.
If you had one last backpacking trip in AZ what would it be?

Since I don't know anything about you and your wife, what kind of hiking you enjoy, distance and elevation preferences, etc. it is almost impossible to give you a suggestion.

It's like asking somebody else what kind of food I will like. Very subjective, and open to plenty of interpretation.

But I'll take a stab anyway, since there are some backpacking trips in Arizona that are popular amongst a lot of people, and some of them might also appeal to you.

One of my favorites is the Cabin Loop along the Mogollon Rim.

There are multiple options in the Grand Canyon, but as you noted, getting permits can be a challenge depending on the itinerary chosen. Plus, if you're not familiar with the canyon, spending 4-5 days there might be memorable for all the wrong reasons. If that's the kind of hike you're looking for, I'd recommend Hermit or Grandview to get out of the Corridor.

There's always Havasupai. It should be on everybody's list at least once. Permits can be an issue there too.

The Superstition and Mazatzal Wildernesses provide endless backpacking options, but by mid-May the temperatures can be above what the average backpacker prefers.

Another thing to keep in mind ... just because you're moving doesn't mean you can't come back to visit! It amazes me how often I encounter people on the trail who have made an Arizona backpacking trip their vacation plan.

Thanks for the reply! I have heard the cabin loop a few times. We will look into that some more.
To answer your question about preferences, we are fairly new to backpacking so I don't know if I can give too many specifics. We normally camp and day hike so this is a bit different for us.
We are ok with physically challenging routs as long as they are safe. Summits are always a plus. 10 to 15 miles a day, less if its a steep route. Secluded but not isolated. Near water would be good.

@nlantz
Grand Canyon: Bill Hall - Deer Crk - Thunder River - Tapeats

In Grand Canyon:
Bright Angel-Tonto-Hermit
Hermit
South Bass (req 4WD)

My other favorite is to hike for days and days along the Black River in the White Mountains near Hannagan Meadow, but that is in summer only. May is too early for it.

Royal Arch Route http://hikearizona.com/decoder=813

@azbackpackr
I've been wanting to check out that area late summer, do you have a particular hike along the river that you prefer? I'm not too familiar with the hiking over there. Thanks in advance

Well I am a noob, but my two favorite overall hikes in my ~4 months here in the Valley have been the time that I have spent up in the Hieroglyphic Mountains near Lake Pleasant and then the initial portion of the Superstition Ridgeline hike, specifically the climb to Flatiron, primarily because of what that hike did for my self confidence showing me that my limitations were mostly self effacing.

For a casual hike in central(maybe Greater) Phoenix, I like Deem Hills Recreational Area.

bendorbreak wrote:@azbackpackr
I've been wanting to check out that area late summer, do you have a particular hike along the river that you prefer? I'm not too familiar with the hiking over there. Thanks in advance

You just start at either Wildcat Bridge (FR 25) and go up or downstream or start at Bear Creek Trail http://hikearizona.com/decoder=19487
and go up or downstream. You need to wear some sort of shoes where you can cross the river and not have to stop and change shoes all the time. I just wear my oldest pair of hiking shoes or boots, with wool socks. You are going to be crossing the river over and over again. You may have to cross seven times in two miles. You need two hiking poles. Don't show up without them. Getting across the rocky river where you can't see the bottom, plus sometimes strong current necessitates poles.

You cannot do this safely in the late spring if the river is up high, because you can't get across. Starting in June, usually, you can do it. The river is usually no more than thigh deep through the summer (at the crossings). There is a horse trail up and down the river but it is not maintained, but that is what you follow. There are giant cairns at the horse trail crossings. If you miss a giant cairn you will be in for some real bushwhacking and stumbling around. When you get to a giant cairn you look across the river until you see another one across the river, then you cross to that one. This is very important to prevent frustration.

Fish Creek Trail #60 is no longer much of an option as an entry to Black River. It was totaled in the Wallow Fire. Bear Wallow Wilderness trail will take you to the river, but it will be on the reservation, so technically is illegal without a permit. That's why I don't prefer Bear Wallow. Plus there is a lot of poison oak/ivy in there.

There are many places to swim if you go later in the summer when it's warmer. The river became muddy and silted-up a bit from the Wallow Fire but every year has been a bit cleaner. Hoping it has cleared out by now. I didn't go last summer. Maybe next summer.

My GPS routes, photos and triplogs are here: http://hikearizona.com/decoder=326

@azbackpackr
Thank you so much for the detailed info! That's the one area in the state that I'm not very familiar with. I have been looking through a lot of the hikes, but a lot of them don't have triplogs post fire. At any rate, I appreciate you help immensely! I will definitely put this on my list for July/August.

bendorbreak wrote:@azbackpackr
Thank you so much for the detailed info! That's the one area in the state that I'm not very familiar with. I have been looking through a lot of the hikes, but a lot of them don't have triplogs post fire. At any rate, I appreciate you help immensely! I will definitely put this on my list for July/August.

Glad to be of help. I hope I can get away from my time-intensive summer tourist season job long enough to do at least a two-night backpack this coming July, but I am so busy then it is hard to get more than one night off.