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Post by DyanTX on Jul 11, 2015 17:35:44 GMT -8
Yeah - it's early but have to look at my options for early January in the Phoenix, AZ area. Looking for someplace other than Phoenix area to hike. How is the weather in Sedona in January? Or areas northeast of Phoenix? Don't want to go anywhere that has snow! Have enough of that at home. Thanx for any info.
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swmtnbackpacker
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Post by swmtnbackpacker on Jul 11, 2015 18:39:53 GMT -8
Phoenix is usually a little hotter than Tucson and the latters E Saguaro NP/Rincons/Santa Catalina where you can backpack with maybe a slighter chance of a dusting of snow. I constantly monitor both cities from Nov-Apr for backpackin weather. One thing desert mtns the elevations really matter. The more southerly Chiricahuas on the AZ/NM border (about a cpl hrs west of El Paso) has had me break waist high snow until April some years. The areas around Sanford and Morenci are a good compromise. Just drive on the blacktop (I was finding clay chunks for 3 yrs). North of the general Phoenix area? Coldest I've been in awhile was driving through Flagstaff in late December. With full heater the cold went through my floorboards.
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Post by swimswithtrout on Jul 11, 2015 19:37:26 GMT -8
North of the general Phoenix area? Coldest I've been in awhile was driving through Flagstaff in late December. With full heater the cold went through my floorboards. Written like a true AZ cold weather wimp  I've been visiting my mother in Phoenix, for Thanksgiving, the past few years, to get a short extension on my hiking season. Granted, the last week of November is not January, but it's been anywhere from warm to blisteringly hot hiking in the White Tanks, to this Coloradoan, at the same time Flagstaff/Sedona/Grand Canyon was buried in snow. |
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BigLoad
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Post by BigLoad on Jul 13, 2015 21:03:16 GMT -8
Have you already hiked out the Phoenix area? I'm just curious why you'd rule out the Superstitions, which are excellent at that time of year. You don't have to get too far north to risk snow in January. Sedona is OK, the Sierra Anchas are closer, but both of them can be cold and snowy, too. There are some good 1-2 night trips in the Pinals.
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Post by DyanTX on Jul 14, 2015 12:26:32 GMT -8
Sounds like it would be better to stay around Phoenix - or further south - to avoid the possibility of 'white stuff'. I have not hiked out Phoenix or Tucson areas yet - but have been to both several times and was hoping to get a bit of new scenery, too. Thanks for all the good suggestions to look further into! I'm one of the those cold weather wimps, too! LOL
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Post by kwpapke on Jul 15, 2015 10:22:02 GMT -8
I am a Big Fan of hiking the Grand Canyon December-February. No need to do advance reservation for a backcountry site, just show up and give them your route. You'll need traction for the first hour or so of your descent and the last hour of your ascent out of the canyon, but after that it is clear sailing.
My favorite winter GCNP hike so far is Clear Creek: its the equivalent of the Tonto for the North Rim, and is bathed in sunshine all day. When I did it last January I was in short sleeves and shorts...
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BigLoad
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Post by BigLoad on Jul 16, 2015 12:28:39 GMT -8
It varies, though. One year, my wife and I backpacked in the GC the weekend before Thanksgiving, and it was 10F when we started out. It was chilly that first night, since we were using 3-season bags. It was worse for the folks at Phantom Ranch, because they lost power and didn't have enough warm bedding for the mule-riding guests. |
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Post by kwpapke on Jul 17, 2015 7:54:47 GMT -8
It varies, though. One year, my wife and I backpacked in the GC the weekend before Thanksgiving, and it was 10F when we started out. Truth. When I go in winter I always prepare for lows in the 20's at night, even at the bottom of the canyon. |
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swmtnbackpacker
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Post by swmtnbackpacker on Jul 17, 2015 12:34:34 GMT -8
Yes, winter is still winter. I'll bring my 3-season sleep gear into the mountains around Phoenix or Tucson in January ... or the depths of the GC.
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Post by kwpapke on Jul 28, 2015 16:07:02 GMT -8
I second the suggestion for the Supes - see my video on how to hike Rogers Trough here:
If you want to do something in the Tucson area in January, you have to stay at low altitudes. Romero Canyon is fairly low, and has easy access from Phx:
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speacock
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Post by speacock on Jul 31, 2015 7:38:04 GMT -8
A few from here (long time ago) spent New Years down at bottom of Grandview Trail in Grand Canyon. Lovely weather and no crowds.
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