Scotsdale, AZ or Santa Fe, NM, where would you rather have an overnight hike?

[Bryce]

Ok, the GF out for this trip. Anyone want to do a 2-3 day trip anywhere from Scotsdale, AZ to Santa Fe, NM? :)

[Bryce]

Ok, so I've been off BPL for a long time now….got engaged, buying a house, doing things other than hiking. :p

As stated above the "Fianceeeeee" is out for this trip, BUT…. my old man is coming out from NY to hike with my Uncle and I on an overnight. He's got arthritis in his hands and ankles but he thinks he can do a 10 mile round trip hike, especially if I carry thje heavy stuff. My Uncle can easily handle it.

So with that said I now have two days to plan a trip with some nice views while not killing the old men, ship out gear to my Santa Fe and cross my fingers. :p

Any and all suggestions are welcomed….I'm going to try and read up a bit on some suggestions this evening. Thanks!

[Bryce]

http://bp2.trimbleoutdoors.com/ViewTrip/975464

It's a little longer than what my Dad wants to do in one day with arthritic ankles, but the thought process is to hit him hard in one day as opposed to two, as his ankles swell up ~after~ he stops. So if we do it all in one day, he may do better.

Positives of this hike:
– Can car camp & Bryce can use his Uncle's camping gear as opposed to flying out his UL stuff.

– Dad & Uncle don't have to carry full packs, just day packs.

– Nice scenery.

– Lower elevation than mountains to the NE of Santa Fe.

– 3 hours south of Santa Fe should equal nicer weather and less chance of snow on the ground.

Is anyone familiar with this area? Is there snow on the ground at this time of year at that elevation regardless of how south it is? Do I need Microspikes? Snowshoes? Local trail maps I can pick up? Do I need permits? Will the area be busy this time of year?

[HkNewman]

The address isn't working for search results. I was snowshoeing in the mountains NE of Santa Fe a couple weeks back and there was still a few feet of snow, though the southerly exposures were melting into a muddy goo. I'd recommend a lower elevation hike (say the Bandeliers), where the higher elevation snows may mean water at lower elevations.

[Bryce]

Lincoln National Forest, NM: Canyons, Creeks and Springs:

http://bp2.trimbleoutdoors.com/ViewTrip.aspx?isapi=1&tripID=975464

Any better?

[HkNewman]

That's a pleasant little backpack though this time of the year, there could be some lingering snow. Go up Argentina canyon (less time going up) but down the Bonito drainage which kind of meanders. You get a good view of both east (towards Ruidoso forests) and west (the desert – Tularosa valley) up there. There's an old mine shaft as you return to the TH along the creek bank.

[Eugene Smith]

Bryce,

That link you posted is to the Sacramento Mountains almost 200 miles to the south, it would be almost a 3 hr drive to the trailhead from Santa Fe if you went that route. I haven't had a chance to get up into the Sacramentos this season, so not sure on the conditions.

Are you willing to drive?

If so, the Gila Wilderness is a 1/2 day's drive from Santa Fe and gets you into canyon country with lower elevations and significantly less snow than the wilderness areas in northern NM.

[Bryce]

I'm willing to drive! :)

I'm fine with driving to a spot, car camping (or backpacking in), they doing a hike the next day and then driving home.

Basically, I need to concentrate on: 1) making sure my dad is ok and enjoys the hike instead of a death march. and 2) I want some cool photos that aren't like the greenary we have here in the NE. 3) Avoiding needing microspikes (if possible) or snowshoes.

Any and all suggestions for a 2-day <10mi hike or 1-day <=7mi hike are welcome!

[Bryce]

….at various ranger stations for suggested routes and conditions.

Gila may work out with its lower elevations.

[Bryce]

Found this map:

Looking to hike from the Gila Visitor Center to some of the forks.

The gentleman who picked up the phone at the visitors center stated there wasn't much snow (patchy if any) and temps were around 20F at night and mid 70s during the day. This sounds like the right place for us.

I asked for an overnight backpacking trip for my 60yr old dad that wasn't too difficult and maximized the scenery.

He mentioned two trails/ideas for which I have chicken scratch notes on…I was writing as fast as I could.

#1) TJ Corral. Little Bear Canyon Trail. Would be camping "on water" at the middle fork.

#2) Little Creek Trail. Trail #160. Woody Corral, Miller Spring Trail (only the first part). "Water at the crossing."

Can anyone make out anything front my Chicken scratch? W/out a trail map (will pickup one at a ranger station when I get there) I'm kind of lost.

[Eugene Smith]

Bryce,

I have to make this quick.

I was going to suggest that exact route (TJ Corral>Little Bear>Middle Fork). It is a popular route for quick overnighters and one of many trails that gets you deeper into the Middle Fork without having to cross the Gila River repeatedly.

There are established campsites at the Middle Fork/ Little Bear Canyon junction, the best campsites are across the river.
You can find several spots in a broad area of the Middle Fork if you head upstream 1-mile after you exit Little Bear Canyon.

[Bryce]

TJ Corral>Little Bear>Middle Fork it is! Many thanks for the phone call Eugene!

[Bryce]

Here is the hike we are thinking of doing…nice and easy:

http://www.explorenm.com/hikes/LittleBearCyn/

Well this is not the entire trek, but at least to middle fork.

[Bryce]

I want to thank everyone for their help in planning things. The trip did not go exactly according to plan, but it certainly was worth it:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.715892433836.2140078.17506531&type=3&l=0787393828

[Author]

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