AZ: Superstitions or Saguaro ?

“My buddy and I are flying out to Phoenix from the E. coast on 3/28 to hike for a week in the desert. I've thought about hopping a Greyhound to Tuscon and hiking from the desert up to Mica Mtn. (8,600')and making a circular route in Saguaro Cactus N.P. The proximity to Tuscon might be a real problem there.

Since my Western trips are always el-cheapos without a rental car, if we go to the Superstitions, we're limited to the trailheads near Apache Junction as a staring point. Can anybody recommend?”

“Saguaro was one of my stops 2 years ago, very cool place with lots of room to explore...the cacti are incredible. I"hear" the superstitions are great! You won;t loose out either way. If Public transportation is your ticket, then go where travel is the easiest...this is a no loose situation...wish I could go with you. ENJOY!!!”

“I thoroughly enjoyed the Superstitions for 5 days one January a few years ago. It gets my recommendation.”

“One consideration is that there may be snow on top of Mica Mountain in March. My first ever backpack was there, in April. I froze! It was really nice hiking though,very remote, but water sources are very scarce and there was a fire up there in about 1990 that did a lot of damage. It used to be really cool to hike from the Sonora Desert to Ponderosa Pine country, especially in the summer. The meadows up top were different too. I have also hiked in the Superstitions, and that is nice country too. We did a dayhike loop around Weavers Needle. Yes, there were people for the first two miles or so, but mostly we had the place to ourselves after that. In terms of public transportation, I think the Rincons would be easier to get to - only dozen miles outside of town vs 40 miles out of town.”

“Thanks a lot, y'all. Still can't make up my mind.”

“Either can make for some great trips. You have a week so there are many great opportunities. It has been so dry that unless a couple big storms rage through snow is unlikely on Mica Mountain, just expect cold.

In Saguaro, depending on where you start you have 1-2 days getting to Manning Camp -- where I believe there is always water. Good base camp for a loop of Mica. Can work from there to Happy Valley Saddle and Rincon Peak.

If going to the Superstitions some great and more remote hiking at the eastern end. It is also possible to string a nice loop out of Peralta or First Water up to Reavis Ranch and back. Be advised however that with the dry winter only 1 or 2 springs in LaBarge canyon are likely to have any water. Definitely a consideration if you are out for a week.”

“...ugliest places in AZ. The only advantage is they're close to town. How are you going to get from the airport to AJ without renting a car? Pubic transport will not carry you THAT far

There is water in LeBarge Canyon... I was there a few weeks ago. No where else in the Supes are you likely to find water.

Do you know how to suck water from a cactus?”

“very carefully?”

“I must have been in the Superstitions in a wet year. There were very few of the washes that DIDN'T have running water, and there was evidence of some flash flooding quite recently. This was in '95. Sounds like you'd better plan carefully for water considerations.”

“Hobbitt- We have had two VERY dry years. No aqua aqui

HACKkkkkkkkkkkkk

speaking of which...a friend of mine & I were having a discussion about freezedried food and water carry. If there's no water to pump out of a creek, might as well carry canned soup cause you're going to have to carry the water anyway.”

“So, how are we gonna get from Phoenix Airport to AJ? Well, it's a short walk off the runway to the Phoenix 'hound Station. There are two buses to AJ in the a.m. ($13.00). Have the number of a cab co. in AJ ($1.50/mi.)to trailhead. It's cheaper and better than renting a car and leaving it at the trailhead all week.”