Advice: (AZ/UT) Kaibab Natl Forest, North Rim/Jacob's Lake, Black River, Chiricahua, Juniper Mesa & other areas - 3 night trip?

booksandhikes

Member
Joined
Apr 2, 2025
Messages
23
Hello all,

Our group is in early stages of planning a 3 night trip for late winter/early spring. We are an experienced group and between us have been around much of Arizona, especially central Arizona and much of the Mogollon Rim. We are looking at some locations in which most or all of us have not been. We are mostly interested in very northern AZ/Southern UT and very southern AZ and are open to any and all suggestions.

I'm currently doing research into which of these locations (or any others around them), would be suitable for a 3 night/4 day hike. Spending two nights in the same area is fine as long as it is an attractive location for day hikes. We are flexible.

Thanks in advance.
 
Last edited:
Well, it looks like the North Rim area will actually be closed during the time we are attempting to go, so that's out!
 
The North Rim National Park proper is closed, but unless it is a crazy snow year, you can still get to places like Bill Hall, Indian Hollow, Kanab Creek, Kwagunt Hollow, Jumpup, etc... There are several reports about those areas on this site.
 
The North Rim National Park proper is closed, but unless it is a crazy snow year, you can still get to places like Bill Hall, Indian Hollow, Kanab Creek, Kwagunt Hollow, Jumpup, etc... There are several reports about those areas on this site.
Good to know! I'll do a search for some of those reports. Thank you.
 
The North Rim National Park proper is closed, but unless it is a crazy snow year, you can still get to places like Bill Hall, Indian Hollow, Kanab Creek, Kwagunt Hollow, Jumpup, etc... There are several reports about those areas on this site.
Bill Hall is also at higher elevation, and there's a shady hill on the main route to Jumpup just after the small resort that holds snow. Be wary of the mud out if it rains/snows significantly. Also, always have at least one full-sized spare on the N Rim roads.
 
Well, just as I had whittled down some serious contenders our dates had to be switched (the good news is that good news caused us to switch the dates). We are now looking at mid-late December.

My partner and I camped in Valley of the Gods two decembers ago and while we were able to deal with the cold, there are a few less experienced people on this trip who I think would not enjoy themselves. I imagine all of Southern Utah and Northern Arizona above probably Sedona are off lmits now.

Sounds like any mountains in the south will also be too cold.

This brings us back to central arizona which is the exact opposite of what we had planned to do. About half the group has hiked all over the superstitions, but none of us have backpacked it (always preferring to get a little further from home). It looks like we may actually do this.

Any other suggestions for mid-late december?
 
Can't help you with central AZ backpack ideas :)

Other suggestions: In mid-late December we do long day hikes in Tucson, Chiricahua and we also look up thousands of Sandhill Cranes depart simultaneously before sunrise at Whitewater Draw. Interesting and fun in mid-late December. That's not backpacking, but remember, apart from it being very cold in the desert at night, mid-late December also brings very short days. 10 hours daylight, so 14 hours in the dark. The evenings & nights are very long and cold. It's all a very different experience from mid April with much longer days. Car (tent) camping in mid-late December makes it so much easier for the less experienced in your group to enjoy themselves, as you can bring extra blankets, extra insulation on ground, double up on sleeping bags, hot hands, parka, to keep yourself warm. Just my 2 cents :)
Bonus: Arizona has amazing sunrises and sunsets.

Sunrise, 7 am Dec 21, 2001 - looking towards Chiricahua Mtns
AC211895 Panorama 2.jpeg

Sunset 5:20 pm Dec 18- 2021 - looking towards Chiricahua Mtns
AC180663 Panorama.jpeg

Chiricahua
AC191059 Panorama.jpeg


Sand Hill cranes, around noon after they returned from foraging in the fields. Highlights are: The "before sunrise" departure" of thousands of noisy cranes and the return of thousands of cranes from the fields between 10am-noon. In 2021 they estimated the area had 20,000 cranes that year, but it changes every year. It's an incredible unique experience, even though it starts in like 17F before the sun rises. Equally fascinating are thousands of blackbirds gathering in mesmerizing formations before they depart 1/2 hour before sunrise.
AC201838 Panorama 2.jpeg

Hope you all have a great time!
 

Don't like ads? Become a BCP Supporting Member and kiss them all goodbye. Click here for more info.

Back
Top