AZ > Chiricahuas > Turkey Creek TH > June 2016 (dates flexible)

[kwpapke]

I will be doing some regular (weekly) altitude training in the Chiricahuas in the next month in preparation for a weeklong backpack in Yosemite (Cloud's Rest, etc.) This is one of the best hanging spots in southern AZ, and there is reasonable access to water from springs near Chiricahua Peak. Being a Retired Guy, my schedule is pretty flexible.

I'll be setting out from the Turkey Creek TH area on the West side of the Chiricahuas, as it is the closest to Tucson. It is also fairly accessible from New Mexico, or even west Texas or El Paso. It's about a 3500' climb to the peak, typically a 3 1/2 hour hike for me. I've done two hikes from here in the last few weeks, the Saulsbury, Mormon Ridge, and a descent along the Morse trail so I've got reasonable familiarity with the area.

There is great hanging at the TH area itself if you are driving in, either at the FS campground (Sycamore) or at the informal dispersed campsites along the creek. It's about an 8-mile drive along a gravel road from the paved highway, but it was just graded a couple of weeks ago so easily traversed by passenger car. There is an interesting historical site along the gravel road the grave of Ringo:

Let me know if you are interested in connecting for a hang and/or hike. Post to this thread or send me a PM.
To give you a flavor of the area, here's a video I did of the Crest Trail, but from a higher TH, last year with the Tucson Backpacking Meetup group:

[FJRpilot]

I'm interested... Let me know the dates your targeting...


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[kwpapke]

I'm interested... Let me know the dates your targeting...

Next week it will be some days from Thursday 6/2 through Sunday 6/5. The following week looks similar - sometime from 6/9-6/12. The week after that look pretty open, anytime.

I leave for Yosemite Saturday 6/25, so that week I'll probably go Monday-Tuesdayish.

[FJRpilot]

I can also do next week but I would need to shoot for Friday - Sunday. The following week would be the same. Either works for me....


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[Randerson]

I'd be up for later June just prior to your trip. Will stay in touch. Looks great up there!

[FJRpilot]

I'd be up for later June just prior to your trip. Will stay in touch. Looks great up there!

I can do that week too... Just need to juggle a couple of things around. Let me know..


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[kwpapke]

I can do that week too... Just need to juggle a couple of things around. Let me know..

Sure. I'll be going every week, so anything works for me.

It's going to start warming up quite a bit this week, into the 100's in Tucson. I'm thinking the Morse trail might be best because it has the most shade, though it means going through more windfalls and brushy areas.

[FJRpilot]

I'm thinking the Morse trail might be best because it has the most shade, though it means going through more windfalls and brushy areas.

Is that the Morse Canyon Trail?

Where are you looking to meet up?







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[kwpapke]

Is that the Morse Canyon Trail?

Where are you looking to meet up?

I didn't think you were going until next week. Headed out today for the Morse Canyon. Let's plan on next Friday, we'll meet up at the Sycamore CG. More details next week.

Sorry for any confusion, my misunderstanding.

[kwpapke]

Might not be the best time for a hike in the Chiricahuas anyway. Several fires burning, but none near Turkey Creek (at the moment). Here's the FS post from this morning:

Three lightning-caused fires are burning in the Chiricahua Mountains on the Douglas Ranger District. The Portal Peak Fire, burning in oak grassland near Portal, AZ, is approximatley 300 acres in size, in an area previously burned by the Horseshoe 2 Fire in 2011. Three crews, five engines, one water tender, and two single-engine air tankers are in full suppression mode, along with miscellaneous overhead, and they have made good progress. The Jhus Canyon Fire is burning near Portal, in brush and grass, at approximately 20 acres in size. Two crews and two engines are working to suppress the fire, along with miscellaneous overhead. Good progress has been made. The Whitetail Canyon Fire is burning southeast of Dos Cabezas, AZ in West Whitetail Canyon north of Chiricahua National Monument. One crew, one engine, three water tenders and miscellaneous overhead are assigned to the incident. Minimal activity is evident on the fire, and it is in monitor status.