Hungry Jack
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Post by Hungry Jack on Nov 3, 2019 7:12:51 GMT -8
Looks like I will have a chance to hit AZ this February for a long weekend trip. Was looking for suggestions.
Last year we hit the Superstition Wilderness for 3 days after the huge snowstorm. It was grand—-70 degrees and water everywhere. Totally lucked out. We stayed 2 nights near White Rock spring and explored near the Needle. Loved every minute of that trip. I’d certainly consider Reavis Ranch or other locales in the Supes if anyone has suggestions.
i have been eyeing a return to Aravaipa, and that was our plan last year until streamflows made it to too dangerous after the big snow event. It’s certainly an option, and late February is a good time as its usually empty.
The trails in the Mazatzal sound like a disaster.
I love the Chiricahua mountains but it’s too far from PHX. The Catalinas and Saguaro NP might be worth a visit. Car camping is not out of the question.
Anyways, would love your input!
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trinity
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Post by trinity on Nov 9, 2019 7:28:57 GMT -8
I love the Chiricahua mountains but it’s too far from PHX. Not to hijack your post, but are there good winter backpacking options in the Chiricahuas? |
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rangewalker
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Post by rangewalker on Nov 9, 2019 13:31:04 GMT -8
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swiftdream
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Post by swiftdream on Nov 10, 2019 14:49:31 GMT -8
For winter Kofa National Wildlife Refuge to the west of Phoenix is wonderfully surreal and there are plenty of places for dispersed camping. The hiking is gorgeous and it ranges from semi flat to out of this world rugged with volcanic spires and walls abounding. If there has been rain there may be a profusion of wildflowers. You can get a passenger car into some areas and some are 4x4 only. It’s a crazy place with some fine bighorn sheep herds. The high mountain ranges will be cold so I’d suggest lower deserts for winter.
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desert dweller
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Post by desert dweller on Nov 12, 2019 7:05:19 GMT -8
For winter Kofa National Wildlife Refuge to the west of Phoenix is wonderfully surreal and there are plenty of places for dispersed camping. The hiking is gorgeous and it ranges from semi flat to out of this world rugged with volcanic spires and walls abounding. If there has been rain there may be a profusion of wildflowers. You can get a passenger car into some areas and some are 4x4 only. It’s a crazy place with some fine bighorn sheep herds. The high mountain ranges will be cold so I’d suggest lower deserts for winter. The Kofas are one of my favorite winter destinations for all the reasons swiftdream listed. The last time I was there, a couple of years ago, there were more ATV hauling old people than usual. I hope it's not a trend. Here is a photo taken in Queen's Canyon on the west side.  |
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swiftdream
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Post by swiftdream on Nov 12, 2019 16:25:44 GMT -8
We saw some RV camps and those folks riding atv’s but they were staying on the dirt roads, beau coup empty terrain to romp through all day and not see a soul. To expand a bit on Kofa, I found some images in an old journal of ours and took pictures of them as I could not find the originals in the hundreds of thousands on my hard drives right now. We came across a tower of volcanic rock that must have weighed hundreds of millions of tons. Look close and you might see a bright light at the very bottom center. We climbed a steep slope and came to an amazing window where a couple could spend a sheltered night and take n all comers trying to achieve this objective. It is fabulous with views of ferocious terrain out both sides. Kofa covers a huge area with endless scenes as if from Lord of the Rings or some sci-fi movie. Pardon the image quality   |
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desert dweller
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Post by desert dweller on Nov 12, 2019 16:50:29 GMT -8
We climbed a steep slope and came to an amazing window That must be an amazing place. Could you "feel" the weight above you as sat in the window? I think I've counted more windows in the Kofas than any other area I've been to. |
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swiftdream
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Post by swiftdream on Nov 12, 2019 18:10:42 GMT -8
We climbed a steep slope and came to an amazing window That must be an amazing place. Could you "feel" the weight above you as sat in the window? I think I've counted more windows in the Kofas than any other area I've been to. Your thoughts on the palpable and intense weight above are spot on. It is so crazy a place that we visited Kofa several times. Below that tower with he wide window/fortress/camp were many Mariposa lilies blooming that season. They come in several colors but they were a deep orange. |
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Hungry Jack
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Post by Hungry Jack on Nov 17, 2019 8:42:01 GMT -8
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trinity
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Post by trinity on Nov 17, 2019 13:47:19 GMT -8
Thanks, Hungry Jack , I'll check out those links. I spent a fair amount of time in the Chiricahuas back in the 80s, but mostly I was birding, so did lots of car camping and day hiking, mostly on the east side. It is a spectacular area, I'd really like to get back some time soon. |
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