Arizona Backpackers Club (ABC)

We usually post this trip in June but this year due to a meager snow season I'm posting it early. This trip will be close to a full moon and since the sky is so big on this peak, its going to be a bright night 🌝😎 The view up on the peak is big, you can see the north rim of the Grand Canyon and for many miles in most directions. This is my all-time favorite Flagstaff area backpack and gets us spending the night above 10000'! It's going to be chilly up here overnight so be prepared for it 🥶

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 way to it is a cabin located in a meadow where we'll probably camp 🏕️ Although this wilderness area is heavily scared from fire, its still a nice place to camp as this trail goes through the surviving forested part of the mountain.

What makes this trip hard is that 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. The plan is to meet in the Flagstaff area at 1PM 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 are usually in good shape and I've been able to drive them in a small passenger car 🚗 with no problems. Since we'll have to haul our water, we'll have a late start so we can hydrate prior to the trip. This will lower the amount of water that you'll need to carry.

Once at the cabin, we'll drop our packs and then go visit the fire lookout. In years past when the lookout was staffed, a food or alcoholic beverage gift could get you invited up into the lookout. Its been a number of years since its been staffed so we'll have to settle for the view from the adjacent helicopter pad which is an unforgetable place to camp when the conditions are right. To me this is the best place 🏆 in Arizona to watch the sunset and look at the night stars (understatement).

We'll head back to camp afterwards and relax for the rest of the evening. It'll be chilly, unless there are high winds, we'll have a fire 🔥 In the morning we'll pack up and hike down the mountain no later than 9AM.

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.

Do you know any backpacks that start with a "Boat Ride on the Pacific Ocean", potential encounter with a "Roving Herd of Bison", "Tree Climbing Foxes", "Bald Eagles", "Little Used Trails", "Camping on Isolated Beaches with Turquoise Blue Waters" and a "Zipline"?

The Trans-Catalina Trail Backpack does!!

Santa Catalina is a beautiful island located only 27 miles off the coast of southern California. Though Catalina is a short 90 minute boat ride away, it feels like another world. There are two small, quaint towns on the island — Avalon and Two Harbors — a few back country campgrounds/beaches - the remainder of the island is primarily wilderness managed by the Catalina Island Conservancy.

Over a period of seven days and six nights we plan to backpack the TCT, our route will be about 40 miles. Four of the six nights - our campsite will be on/near the beach w/campfires allowed. At one beach camp we will have 2 - 3 kayaks to use (weather permitting). We have reservations for 16 backpackers.

Not a beginners trip - although we will only be backpacking a max of 9 miles/day we don’t consider this an easy trip – there are a lot of ups and downs, some on very steep and loose trails (total elevation gain/loss 7900'+). If you are interested, signup on the “Wait List”. If we have not backpacked together before, we will need references from Hike Leaders in ABC, or PAB.

Costs/person for reservations for 6 nights at campsites, water/wood and one day kayak rentals - $260. I'll collect a $100 deposit to hold your spot, remainder due April 15th.

You will be responsible for; fee for ferry ride (RT) $83.50 - $92, parking at ferry parking lot $22/day, transportation to & from San Pedro/Long Beach.

Not Dog Friendly; dogs not allowed at some campsites.

Refund Policy; if you give us at least 3 wks. notice - all but $11.

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As always, you do this trip at your own risk. We hold no responsibility if anything happens to you. However, we do reserve the right of first dibs on your gear if something does. Great gear is hard to come by and it will help us with the grieving process.

This is one of my favorites hikes, and takes us to the scenic Mount Baldy Loop in the White Mountains. (Mt Baldy is the second highest mountain in Arizona; highest is Mt Humphreys). The best description can be found at HikeArizona.com (http://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=531) and we'll be starting at the West Baldy trailhead (also described here (http://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=2309)), going counter-clockwise into the wilderness for a couple of nights by the river.

This is a great hike for those who want to do a little or do a lot. You can hike as long as 17 miles (the full loop) or as short as 4.5 miles (to the base camp area), then back out.

We will plan to leave the Phoenix area by noon (12:00 PM) on Friday, 5/30, and arrive at the Sheeps Crossing trailhead before the late afternoon, with stops in Pinetop/Lakeside/Show Low if you need/want. We will hike in about 4.5 miles to a nice campsite along the West Fork of the Lower Colorado River, where we will base camp. This also gives us the chance to acclimate to the altitude before hiking on Saturday.

Both tents and hammocks will find plenty of space.

On Saturday morning, you can choose to do the west trail to the summit and back (about 10 miles up and down), do the entire 17-mile loop (west to east), or just hang out at the campsite. We'll then have a relaxing evening, weather permitting, before driving back to Phoenix on Sunday, 6/1

9 spots total for this hike. Sorry, no dogs unless I have hiked with you and your dog before.

Carpooling:

We'll meet at the Fort McDowell Casino (https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=33.583595%2C-111.679665) and leave from there, arranging carpools at the time of departure. A contribution for gas costs is advised if you are a rider.

Recommended experience:

• The west trail is moderate and should take only several hours to reach the peak and return, for a total of about 10 miles. The entire west-to-east loop is a challenging 17 miles with 2000 ft accumulated gain (the peak reaches over 11,300 ft), and I expect some of us may hike the entire day, weather permitting. You should be fit and capable enough to complete the loop, or whatever distance you choose to hike. If you have concerns about your ability, please contact me and we'll discuss that.
• The campsites are creekside and should be a great place to hang out if that's all you want to do. (If you want to try your luck at fishing, go ahead, but be sure to get a license!)

Weather is typically a concern, even in late May. Rain gear is a must. We've seen hail, sleet, and sunshine all on the same trips.

For those not used to high altitudes, please note:

1. This is a high altitude hike; we are shooting for the second highest mountain in Arizona, so be prepared. You WILL need wind and sun protection, and summer afternoons mean a thunderstorm isn't out of the question; bring rain gear. (The first time I led a hike here we had knee-deep hail halfway up the trail.)
2. A serious pair of shoes or boots is another necessity, and the Forest Service notes that the trail remains "not cleared of hazards." On the most recent trip I made, we were not able to continue down the east trail at all because of the amount of deadfall.
3. Expect that you will dehydrate more rapidly at high altitude, so bring even more water, not to mention calories to burn, and substantial snacks.

Water available:
Water should be available but will need to be filtered/treated.

Other helpful information:

• Be sure to bring appropriate gear based on the forecast for the weekend (I'll be posting weather reports in the days leading up to the trip). Expect it to be cold at night!

• The summit itself is on the White Mountain Apache reservation, but we will only continue on the crossover section of the loop. In the past, groups have been granted permission to summit on a case-by-case basis but I am not seeking that permission this time. If you wish to do so, go ahead and ask for yourself.

Contact me if you have any questions.