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Post by cweston on Mar 27, 2021 12:02:21 GMT -8
My daughter has recently moved to Phoenix. We’re visiting in late May, and it looks like my whole family may be there. A short hike (2-3 days) would be on the table. Weather-wise, are we looking just at the Flagstaff area (higher elevation) or are there other places in the area still sufficiently non-broiling in late May?
Any suggestions for a good one- or two-nighter would be appreciated.
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desert dweller
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Post by desert dweller on Mar 28, 2021 10:32:53 GMT -8
Are you looking for a day hike or something like an overnight? Anything on the Mogollon Rim would be nice. Elevation stay pretty much consistent from around 6500 to 7500 feet. Here is nice 15.4 mile section along the Arizona Trail that starts at General Springs Cabin and goes to Hwy 87. It a beautiful hike along the pines. there are plenty places to set up a camp if you want to make it an overnight. Or, the entire section can be done in a long day. link |
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Post by cweston on Mar 28, 2021 10:38:48 GMT -8
Thanks, desert dweller. Dayhikes might be on the table as well, but my primary interest is in 2-3 day backpack suggestions. That looks like a nice stretch of trail. |
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desert dweller
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Post by desert dweller on Mar 28, 2021 10:44:14 GMT -8
If you want to do a longer hike, just keep going north along the AzTrail. Up on the Rim, it's all pretty much forested with some interesting sights. Go to the Arizona Trail main page and check out the sections that follow the one you just looked at. There are plenty of places to park at either end. |
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Post by cweston on Mar 28, 2021 11:23:13 GMT -8
What might typical late May high temps be at that 6500-7500 elevation?
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desert dweller
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Post by desert dweller on Mar 28, 2021 11:38:12 GMT -8
What might typical late May high temps be at that 6500-7500 elevation? Anywhere from mid-30s at night to high 80s during the day. |
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Post by absarokanaut on Mar 29, 2021 11:40:34 GMT -8
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Post by cweston on Mar 29, 2021 12:14:50 GMT -8
All of AZ and NM is predicted to have WELL above average temps the next few months. Ugh. That's alright--it turns out that a backpack in May is probably not in the cards anyway. Hopefully we'll be able to get away for a dayhike somewhere at high enough elevation that we don't melt. I may be able to go one a backpacking trip out there with my daughter and her fiance in January, though, which is exciting. |
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desert dweller
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Post by desert dweller on Mar 29, 2021 14:20:54 GMT -8
I'll be doing my last two sections (30 miles) of the AzTrail at the end of May. The first half will be around 6500 feet and the second half it'll drop down to around 4500 feet. It'll be warm at the end but not unbearably so. (We're not allowed to say it's HOT until the temperature is over 100 degrees. Even at 99 degrees, it's still just warm.)
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Post by Joe Hiker on Apr 24, 2021 6:34:31 GMT -8
Couple of other suggestions: Consider going down to the Santa Ritas (south of Tucson) for a longer dayhike or (of course) going to the Prescott area (long dayhikes). But your best bet is likely to be the rim. If you can get away for couple of days you may also enjoy Mt Baldy - over in the White Mountains. Generally cool days and nights, and if you can put up with a chance of severe weather (the mountain tends to make its own, regardless of whether it's monsoon season or not) we've enjoyed some terrific 2-3 day trips.
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Post by trinity on Apr 24, 2021 8:41:11 GMT -8
I wonder what Saguaro National Park would be like that time of year? Manning Camp might be pretty fabulous in late May.
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BigLoad
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Post by BigLoad on Apr 26, 2021 20:15:00 GMT -8
I wonder what Saguaro National Park would be like that time of year? Manning Camp might be pretty fabulous in late May.
I expect Manning Camp itself would be great, but the first half of the elevation gain could be toasty, especially if you're coming from the East Side HQ and you have to dip back down and reclimb after Tanque Verde.
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desert dweller
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Post by desert dweller on Apr 26, 2021 20:22:04 GMT -8
coming from the East Side HQ I've only come up from the east side of the Rincons via Miller Creek Trailhead. The trail takes you to Happy Valley campground then up to Manning Camp. The old maps show the hike from Happy Valley to Manning was along Heart Break Ridge. The newer maps I've seen don't reference it. |
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BigLoad
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Post by BigLoad on Apr 26, 2021 20:58:03 GMT -8
I've only come up from the east side of the Rincons via Miller Creek Trailhead. I think that's a more popular trip. From the HQ, I camped at Juniper Basin and then Manning Camp. Much later (although still a long time ago), I dayhiked with Mrs. big_load to Juniper Basin. In retrospect, I'm surprised that she didn't complain, since it was a long day and cold at the top despite being warm at the TH. |
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Post by trinity on Apr 27, 2021 12:20:11 GMT -8
From the HQ, I camped at Juniper Basin and then Manning Camp. I did this trip as well, in January of 2020. It was a pretty great trip: TR I think you're right, it would probably be pretty warm at the lower elevations, and water would probably be hard to come by until Manning Camp. |
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