HikeArizona.COM

Me and my Wife are fairly new to Az, completley new to backpacking. We have purchased all the gear and are planning our first trip in bout two weeks. I just discovered this website so i will be looking at old post. I have looked into Horton Creek, Reavis trail and a couple others what would be a great one night first time trip? thanks in advance.

Welcome to Az and welcome to the wonderful world of backpacking! We're in prime backpacking season right now and the options are almost limitless.

From the home page:
Click "Find" in the top left corner
Set Backpack to Yes
Set the month to April/May
Then sort by Rating
Play with the settings to find ideal options for backpacking trips

Good luck!

Here are a few to get you started...

Haunted Canyon
http://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=56

Knoll Lake
http://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=815

Hellsgate
http://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=301

Cabin Loop (Great summer option just keep an eye on the weather)
http://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=797

Well you've come to a great sight.

Feel free to join us at http://www.meetup.com/Arizona-Backpacking/. There are other backpacking meetup groups too. ABC puts on various backpack/hiking/camping/photography trips that might interest you. We have monthly meetings and you really might like next Tuesday's http://www.meetup.com/Arizona-Backpacki ... 227766265/ Practical Ultralight Backpacking with Dallas Shewmaker.

Reavis is a great overnight destination, but I would hold off on that until you have a trip or two under your belt with shorter mileage.

Horton Creek is a great first trip. I recommend a single overnight with under 4 miles of hiking each day just to get used to carrying your gear, setting it up, planning and preparing meals, etc. Horton is great because you know there will be water available, and if your pack isn't comfortable or other problems arise, the shorter distance makes it a less miserable learning experience!

If you have a good one-night trip to Horton (or Hackberry if the weather is cool enough) then I would look at some longer trips like Reavis Ranch.

Backpacking can be great, but it can also be miserable. A little experience goes a long way!

@chumley
@MichAz48

Reavis is a great overnight destination, but I would hold off on that until you have a trip or two under your belt with shorter mileage

I pretty much agree with this, however, I think most would agree the North route into Reavis is probably about the easiest 10-11 miles one could cover and probably suitable for most beginning backpackers in reasonable shape...You would still need an early start and early exit, as trail can be a tad warm, no real cover..but easy grade, easy trail, old road bed...and great reward at the end Reavis Ranch..perennial creek

what does your gear list look like?

start w/ the "big three"
total weight of pack, sleeping shelter, sleeping bag (and pad).

that will help us determine what you're carrying, and how far you can attempt to go!

friendofThundergod wrote:@chumley
@MichAz48

Reavis is a great overnight destination, but I would hold off on that until you have a trip or two under your belt with shorter mileage

I pretty much agree with this, however, I think most would agree the North route into Reavis is probably about the easiest 10-11 miles one could cover and probably suitable for most beginning backpackers in reasonable shape...You would still need an early start and early exit, as trail can be a tad warm, no real cover..but easy grade, easy trail, old road bed...and great reward at the end Reavis Ranch..perennial creek

I agree with FoTG. My only reservation would be temperatures - by a couple weeks from now it could be a bit warm out there. My first modern backpacking trip was a lot tougher: Reavis from Tule TH, which has about 4 kft AEG. Reavis from the North is less grueling. I also think Reavis from the North is easier than from the South because of that big hill.

FWIW, my first pick would be some version of the Cabin Loop.

Cabin loop is tricky for navigation but if you are experienced hikers then the transition to backpack won't be that difficult. Horton creek is a nice and easy first trip.

@big_load

My first modern backpacking trip was a lot tougher: Reavis from Tule TH

That is a very solid first trip to Reavis

nonot wrote:Cabin loop is tricky for navigation

That's true. A GPS is more helpful on that one than most AZ hikes.

friendofThundergod wrote:@big_load

My first modern backpacking trip was a lot tougher: Reavis from Tule TH

That is a very solid first trip to Reavis

I should add that my first attempt failed. I had to come back and do it again to get it right, but that made completing it all the more satisfying.

Thanks for all the great advice we are leaning toward the horton creek. I want my wife to have a good experience so i will not be going alone all the time....lol. I will go through the gear this weekend and will put list on here.

MichAz48 wrote:I want my wife to have a good experience

Although things can always go bad on any Backpack or Hike, Horton is a Perfect Choice... You just simply can't go wrong there and it's Beautiful.... Enjoy....

outdoor_lover wrote:Although things can always go bad on any Backpack or Hike ...

You've probably demonstrated this enough already. I think you're due for a long stretch of good luck.