|
Post by trinity on Nov 15, 2019 10:20:07 GMT -8
I am beginning to plan my annual January trip, and am looking for good winter destinations within a day's drive of central Texas. Right now I am leaning towards the Gila Wilderness, but recently got to wondering about Saguaro. I will probably be out for 4 nights, and I like being up in the mountains, but am not equipped to handle a great deal of snow. Any thoughts on Saguaro in January, and is it worth a rather long drive?
|
|
zeke
Trail Wise!
Peekaboo slot 2023
Posts: 9,886
|
Post by zeke on Nov 15, 2019 13:53:47 GMT -8
desert dweller is a local there, so he'll have more info. I've been there a couple of times, but can't think of any good 3-4 night bp'ing trips there. Maybe better up on the mt, but then there is the snow thing.
|
|
swiftdream
Trail Wise!
the Great Southwest Unbound
Posts: 551
|
Post by swiftdream on Nov 15, 2019 14:42:26 GMT -8
In January it could be warm and balmy or cold, windy and lots of snow higher up. You won’t know until then. Of the designated area you can camp if you get a permit there are some lower elevation camps that might not have snow or have much less than the higher camps.
All this depends on our winter storms of course and it looks like we might get something next week. Down here in the desert it is supposed to stay in the mid to high 60s for higher mid day temps but this is only November and it has been in the 80s every day so far with around 50 for lows.
It really is impossible to say for sure.
|
|
swiftdream
Trail Wise!
the Great Southwest Unbound
Posts: 551
|
Post by swiftdream on Nov 15, 2019 14:51:30 GMT -8
To add the two lower camps are about 5000’ but I don’t think I could be happy for the whole time just there. The highest camp is 7900’. It is different than the other ranges around here. It is hard to say what might make someone else happy.
|
|
|
Post by trinity on Nov 15, 2019 18:28:33 GMT -8
Thanks for the feedback. can't think of any good 3-4 night bp'ing trips there. I thought I could head up the Tanque Verde Trail, spend night one in Juniper Basin, nights 2 and 3 in Manning Camp, night 4 in Grass Camp. Not covering a lot of trail, but might make for a nice leisurely trip with time to explore. I always have a plan A, B, and C for my winter trips, since weather conditions are so unpredictable, so I'll keep an eye on conditions there as a possible option.
|
|
|
Post by hikinggods on Nov 17, 2019 19:49:50 GMT -8
Have you considered the Superstitions? Similar distance,but overall lower elevation, so less risk of having to deal with substantial snow.There are numerous possibilities for 3-4 day loop trips.
|
|
desert dweller
Trail Wise!
Power to the Peaceful...Hate does not create.
Posts: 6,291
|
Post by desert dweller on Nov 18, 2019 8:13:41 GMT -8
Sorry I'm late for the party.
Manning Camp is a good camp destination. The issue is the elevation (~8000'). Later this week a large storm front is moving in and snow is predicted to be as low as 5500'. Once it snows it tends to stay till the melt, around March or April.
As hikinggods mentioned, hikes in the Superstition Wilderness are doable. The one from Roger's Trough to Reavis ranch is a nice hike and there is a permanent water flow at the ranch. There are some day hikes, such as Circle Stone (medicine wheel), plus some neat rock formations.
The Gila would be good too if you're willing to do some creek crossings. Bud's Hole, an old fishing spot, makes for a nice overnight.
|
|
|
Post by trekkerman on Nov 18, 2019 15:03:45 GMT -8
Backpacking is allowed in Saguaro NP EAST. No backpacking in SNP West. It can be nice in January. The Gila Wilderness is NOT recommended in January (I live in Silver City) It can be cold and wet and even snowy. Head to the Tucson or Phoenix area. It's a 3 hr drive from Silver to Tucson.
|
|
|
Post by trinity on Nov 18, 2019 18:48:52 GMT -8
Have you considered the Superstitions? Similar distance,but overall lower elevation, so less risk of having to deal with substantial snow.There are numerous possibilities for 3-4 day loop trips. I hadn't, but I will. The Superstitions would be pushing it for me as far as drive time, but I definitely think this is a possibility I should explore. Manning Camp is a good camp destination. The issue is the elevation (~8000'). Later this week a large storm front is moving in and snow is predicted to be as low as 5500'. Once it snows it tends to stay till the melt, around March or April. As hikinggods mentioned, hikes in the Superstition Wilderness are doable. The one from Roger's Trough to Reavis ranch is a nice hike and there is a permanent water flow at the ranch. There are some day hikes, such as Circle Stone (medicine wheel), plus some neat rock formations. The Gila would be good too if you're willing to do some creek crossings. Bud's Hole, an old fishing spot, makes for a nice overnight. Thanks for your insight. I'll be planning numerous possible trips and monitoring the weather. I can handle some snow, as long as it isn't too deep. Maybe I should just bite the bullet and buy myself a pair of snowshoes. One of the Gila trips I am considering is the Sapillo Box trail around to Gila Hot Springs, which would take me past Bud's Hole. Just not sure if I'm up for all the creek crossing that time of year. Backpacking is allowed in Saguaro NP EAST. No backpacking in SNP West. It can be nice in January. The Gila Wilderness is NOT recommended in January (I live in Silver City) It can be cold and wet and even snowy. Head to the Tucson or Phoenix area. It's a 3 hr drive from Silver to Tucson. I definitely appreciate your advice on this, thank you! I made a January trip to the Gila a few years ago, hiked up Turkey Creek, over Granite Peak Pass, down to Little Spring and out to Woody's Corral. It was a fabulous trip, but a low snow year, I expect that in a normal year the pass might have been impassable.
|
|
null
Trail Wise!
Posts: 578
|
Post by null on Nov 20, 2019 2:35:04 GMT -8
Have you considered the Superstitions? You should probably Google "Woodbury Fire" before going to the Superstitions anytime soon. Half of the wilderness burned this year and Tonto NF rangers suggested I should find an alternate destination for a planned March excursion.
|
|
null
Trail Wise!
Posts: 578
|
Post by null on Nov 20, 2019 2:37:01 GMT -8
I made a January trip to the Gila a few years ago, hiked up Turkey Creek Thanks again for your trail Beta on that a few years ago, it was invaluable.
|
|
|
Post by trinity on Nov 20, 2019 4:47:10 GMT -8
Thanks again for your trail Beta on that a few years ago, it was invaluable. You're welcome, glad it was helpful. You should probably Google "Woodbury Fire" before going to the Superstitions anytime soon. Half of the wilderness burned this year and Tonto NF rangers suggested I should find an alternate destination for a planned March excursion. And thank you for this info. Really sorry to hear it, though.
|
|
|
Post by hikinggods on Nov 20, 2019 22:02:52 GMT -8
I had forgotten about the Woodbury Fire... I usually go in March, too, but will either have to stick to the West side of the Supes or come up with an alternative destination.
|
|
|
Post by trinity on Nov 21, 2019 19:24:04 GMT -8
Found an excellent video on backpacking Saguaro National Park by kwpapke : link
|
|
|
Post by kwpapke on Nov 22, 2019 4:20:09 GMT -8
Found an excellent video on backpacking Saguaro National Park by kwpapke : linkThanks! Lots of effort went into the making of that video. Gila: way too cold, you'll have wet feet all the time which makes it worse. Saguaro/Rincons: Manning camp will be snowy and cold, and its the only reliable water source. My recommendation would be to do a lower elevation section of the AZT/Arizona National Scenic Trail. Canelo Hills would be good. For a longer stretch, the section from Oracle to Superior is all low elevation, but very deserty if you know what I mean. Here's my video of the Gila River section: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dy0sYWiUtVo The sections along the eastern foothills of the Santa Rita mountains have beautiful views without much elevation. The least driving for you would be the Chiricahuas (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUWu23sXcAE). You could camp at Turkey Creek at a lower elevation and do day hikes from there (the video shows you all the trails). Happy to answer any questions (I live in Tucson). -Kurt
|
|