Arizona Hiking or Backpack

“Are there any trips planned for after Christmas and before New Years? I have not hiked AZ at all. And would like too. Or any suggestions. I know this is last moment. But hey sometimes I am sponateous. Not to mention my original plans did not work out. LOL”

“You might look into the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest area along HWY 191 that goes from I-10 to I-40...eastern Arizona. We just got back from a trip in that area. It is lovely and primitive. The government has transplanted Mexican Grey Wolves in the Blue Ridge Primitive area.

Here's some pics of the Arizona trip if you're interested:

http://community.webshots.com/user/mountainmaster2003

Ldhiker knows the area well and can help.”

“Hey, WLD! I have an idea for you. It's something that I plan to do with Mapleleaf next year and I got the idea from my trip to AZ last August. I drove cross country with my friend who was taking a job at ASU in Tempe. On the way, we stopped at the Painted Desert and went throught the park off I 40. The way it's set up is as follows: The park starts up by I 40 and ends up 22 miles south in the Petrified Forest. The road loops up a little north of I 40 and has various viewing spots (some of the most magnificent colors and terrain I have ever witnessed). Between the top loop and the bottom of the Petrified Forest, there are 4 hiking trails within the park. Each appears to range from 1/2 to 1 1/2 mile each. They are relatively short, but I thought that it would make a great day to do each one (driving to the head of each one throughout the course of one day). I am in the midst of loading my pictures from the park. I will have them ready within a few days. I will contact you if you are interested in looking at them.”

“Keep this up top for Mary Phyll, ldhiker or biz to see.”

“Not that biz would attend, but she might have some suggestions.”

“Treebeard,

We just did the Petrified Forest/Painted Desert NP last week. There was no one there, and it was late afternoon. It was cold, and the snow on the ground, the late afternoon light, and the crystal clear air made for some great pics. If you are interested:

http://community.webshots.com/user/mountainmaster2003”

“WLD - On my Photo Page there is a link to the Wander-Women. They are based in Mesa and give trip reports about their outings. If you contact them they may have some helpful ideas an even invite you along. They are a fun group.”

“We're doing the Mazatzal Mtn loop Friday, 15 miles 2 or 3K EC.

There's probably a spot open on the Thunder River Trip April 10-15.”

“Hope it works out for you.

I could totally see you doing a trip where the area is rich with Indian ruins.”

“MM2003 That was such a fine 'site' to see! Nice pics.”

“MM, finally got to check out your pics this morning. They were absolutely phenomenal! Much better than the ones I'm going to post. You did a great job with the details of each one and the clarity was great. Ii am especially glad to see the Flattops. I wanted to photograph that area, but couldn't, as they were filming a car commercial there when I was down at the time.”

“MM2003,
Those are great pictures. The petroglyphs were cool. Looks like you two had a great time...
By the way let her know we said Happy Belated Birthday.

Ldhiker, I sent you a email about your up coming trip....”

“Make that... "Let Susan know we said Happy Belated Birthday"”

“Thanks WLD...someday we will join you and the rest of the So Cal hikers for a trek. We seem to be a week behind or ahead of each other in lots of places...we're envious of your Sierra jaunts, and we plan to be there next spring and summer. We aren't much for winter hiking, although hiking up Sugarloaf in Chiricahua NM was a treat even though it was only 2 miles RT. Hiking on soft snow is very soothing to knees and heels.”

“We did the Mazatzal Mtn. loop. Great hike, but the snow was a feature we were not anticipating. Not a big problem, but different. We were in to up to a foot of it for a majority of the trip. I'd done much of the trip several years ago, but forgot how beautiful it was up on top. Feeling a little sore today but not bad.”

“Pics of Mazatzal Peak Loop.

http://groups.msn.com/BornToHike/”

“Nice pics. You guys have more snow than we do in MT!

The Group pic is going to get me in trouble here!”

“When is somebody with some knowledge of Arizona going to organize a trip in that state???”

“Those with knowledge of AZ don't hike in the heat, 112 today.

Seriously, watch for something in the Canyon this fall.

Monitor Arizonahikers.com or HikeAZ.com”

“And then there is the Wander Women's Mountianeering Club, near Pheonix/Mesa AZ. They are going out all the time.”

“I am aware of the heat in Arizona and want to hike there in the fall so I thought I'd post this now with the hopes someone would get something organized by then.

Thanks for the reference to the websites. I'll check them out!”