Arizona Backpackers Club (ABC)

We did this trip in May but this time there'll be a 99% new moon on the night of this trip. I can't think of anyplace better in Arizona to gaze at the star packed night sky than here. An added bonus is Saturn will be at its brightest and out all night, we can watch it travel across the sky. The view up on the peak is vast, you can see the north rim of the Grand Canyon and for many miles in just about all the other directions. This is my all-time favorite Flagstaff area backpack and gets us spending the night above 10000'! It's going to be cold up here overnight so be prepared 🥶 I would say 25F-35F.

This is a hard trip but its not as bad as it sounds. The hike is on a well built and maintained trail with a grade that isn't very steep. The Kendrick Peak trail #22 climbs over 2400' in a little over 4.5 miles to the summit which has a fire lookout (10423'). Not far below the fire lookout and along the trail to it, is a cabin located in a meadow where some in the group will camp 🏕️

You'll have to carry your water up the mountain 😟 There is a spring kind of near the cabin but the times that I've seen it, its been a muddy bog or dried up. We'll have a late start so it would be beneficial to hydrate prior. The temperature shouldn't be hot (low 80's max) so water consumption shouldn't be excessive. I took 5 liters last time and had a little left at the end of the trip.

I plan on bypassing the cabin and sleeping on the helicopter pad next to the lookout tower with no tent, wind permitting. There's room for 4 or 5 more people but no tents. The pad is a concrete slab and not very big, there's no way to stake tents. The stargazing is indescribable up here, I feel like a bird when here 🦅

However, the camp fire 🔥 will be in the meadow near the cabin, you can't have one up top. So you'll have a choice of camp spots. Those that head back to the cabin will find the meadow a great place to camp. There's a nice fire ring with a whole forest of dead trees to burn. Although this wilderness area is heavily scared from fire, the trail goes through the only surviving forested part of the mountain. In the morning we'll all meet back up by 10AM and head down the mountain.

The plan is to meet in the Flagstaff area at 11AM on Saturday. I plan on camping near Flagstaff on Friday night, let me know if you'd like to join. After meeting we'll then drive to the trail head (TH) on forest roads (FR). These roads have always been in good shape and I've been able to drive them in a small passenger car 🚗 with no problems. Last time, they were rough and now I'd recommend a medium clearance passenger car.

I'm not a professional guide but have spent hundreds of nights out on backpacking trips. I like to lead trips not for financial gain but instead to bring backpackers together and create some lasting friendships. Most of the places that I venture to are remote with help being many hours and sometimes days away. When you attend my trips you must realize that you are responsible for yourself and bad things can happen. I intend on using good judgement when leading but will not be with you at all times. In an event that something bad happens, I will attempt to get help and/or give help as soon as its safely possible. I expect the same in return, we all watch out for each another.

Join us for a memorable weekend of outdoor adventure and camaraderie as we celebrate the Arizona Backpacking Club’s 17th-year anniversary! Whether you're a seasoned hiker or just starting your backpacking journey, this group car-camping event promises to be a fun-filled experience with great company, stunning views, and plenty of hiking and camping activities.

While the Club started on Meetup in July, it predates that by some years and we don't have an accurate record anymore. Ed took over in September so it's as good as any a time to celebrate.

I'll be heading up on the preceding Thursday to insure a site large enough. Most likely one of the large cleared dispersive group areas North of Bear Canyon Lake. I'll be dropping a pin once I've nailed down the site on the 25th. Just plan for Bear Canyon Lake area.

Plan on joining us on Friday or Saturday, just comment which on your RSVP. This is dispersive car camping. There are no facilities within an easy walk. Pack like you're backpacking, but with GLAMP.

If you folks want to do Backcountry Potluck on Saturday night, that would be awesome, but not mandatory. We can plan for that in the Comments section.

So come up, see some old friends, make some new and help us celebrate!

One spot left to join myself and two other ABCer's in the South Sierra. Message me if you're interested. We’ll spend 3.5 days exploring some of the most beautiful and lesser-traveled country in the Southern Sierra. Our route will take us through the drainages of the Kern and Golden Trout Creeks, across Siberian Pass and Army Pass, and into the Cottonwood Lakes Basin with its deep-blue alpine lakes.
This will be a true third season trip: expect crisp days and cold nights, with daytime highs in the low 60s and overnight lows dipping into the 20s. Elevation will be a constant factor. We’ll start at 10,000 ft, camp as low as 9,000 ft on night one, cross Army Pass at 12,000 ft, and finish with a camp above 11,000 ft.

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### Distance & Difficulty

• 30–32 miles total over 3.5 days
• Steady climbs, high passes, and extended time above 10,000 ft make this a strenuous trip suited for experienced backpackers who are already comfortable at altitude

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### What to Expect

• Stunning granite peaks, alpine meadows, and the iconic blue Cottonwood Lakes
• A mix of forest, meadow, and alpine terrain with crisp fall air and starry nights
• Possible frost, or even a dusting of early snow — so come prepared
• Reliable water at camp, with one possible exception: on night 2, we’ll collect water in Big Whitney Meadow and carry it a mile or two to our campsite to set up a more doable day 3.

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### Gear Requirements

• Sleep system suitable for sub-freezing temps (rated 15–20°F or better)
• Bear canister or bear bag (required in this region)
• Layers for both warm days and freezing nights

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### Logistics

• Saturday 9/27: Leave Phoenix in the morning, car camp at Cottonwood Lakes Campground (10,000 ft). Looking for one driver to ride with me; the other two hikers will drive separately and continue north after the trip.
• Sunday 9/28: South on Trail Pass Trail, over Trail Pass (10,500 ft), and down into the South Fork Kern drainage to Tunnel Meadow (9,000 ft). ~8–9 miles.
• Monday 9/29: North on Siberian Pass Trail, following Golden Trout Creek through Big Whitney Meadow. Camp at an unnamed meadow at 10,000 ft just below the climb to Siberian Pass. ~8–9 miles.
• Tuesday 9/30: Over Siberian Pass (11,000 ft), then east toward Army Pass (12,000 ft) or New Army Pass (12,200 ft) — we’ll choose as a group. Drop into Cottonwood Lakes Basin and camp at one of the lower lakes (~11,000 ft). ~9–10 miles (about 3 miles within Sequoia NP).
• Wednesday 10/1: Hike 5–6 miles back to the trailhead, return to Phoenix by ~10 pm.
• Wilderness permits secured.

I'm not a professional guide but have spent hundreds of nights out on backpacking trips. I plan trips that I get excited about and look forward to time on trail with other backpackers. When you attend my trips you must realize that you are responsible for yourself and bad things can happen. I intend on using good judgement when leading but will not be with you at all times. In an event that something bad happens, I will attempt to get help and/or give help as soon as its safely possible. I hike with a Zoleo and will ask everyone in the group who have satellite device to share that contact information with the group. I expect the same in return, we all watch out for each another.