OT: Arizona -- camping, off roading, and other vehicles.

[Michael]

I love Arizona. I love camping, hunting, backpacking, and off-roading all over this great state.

And instead of constantly hijacking other threads, I thought it would be best to just start an off-topic thread to dedicate to those topics.

So, let me start off by saying, my new dream vehicle is the 1970's era Unimog.



I really want one. Check out how cool ....





For more, go to http://www.moginalong.co.uk/OurMog/TheUnimogDesignConcepts.htm

[Michael]

Last weekend my wife and I went camping near 7 Springs.

There is a campsite called CCC that came highly recommended by the forest ranger I spoke with. It's number 4 on the map below. The trick, though, is to not actually camp in the main campsite. Instead, we drove a few miles down the road and found a place to throw down a tent that was a good ways off of the road (FR 24). The camping experience is a little more private, not to mention free.

We were there to snare some rabbits, but caught none. Luckily we brought some stew beef to throw in the ol' dutch oven for lunch.



As far as camping and hunting goes, I don't think I would go there again. Instead, for that area, I prefer Bloody Basin, which is a few miles north (photographed above). I think it's easier to get to Bloody Basin from I-17, rather than driving on that forest road from Cavecreek.

[DG]

Very cool Mike! I really miss that kind of stuff. I used to do a lot of quail hunting, especially back in the 80's when Sheep's Crossing was still up and useable. The hot springs is great! The quail were so thick back then but population, vandelism, trash... both litter and white....really ruined it. I used to cross the river 3 or 4 times between Horseshoe and Bartlett to get to it. Used to get pretty hairy some seasons, those when we used to get rain. Once got dropped at a trailhead near Rye and hiked thru the Mazatzal Wilderness to Sheeps Crossing. Some really pretty vistas. Tough finding some of the springs for good water though. I remember one overnite campsites was called "the park". I don't have the topo map anymore but real high and real quiet. Overlook was to the WSW and the veiw, like I said...won't forget it!

[Michael]

It's a great time of year to go camping in Arizona. There are a million places that are normally too hot to go in the summer.

One such place is Lake Alamo.

The temperature there is the same as Phoenix, and it's widely regarded as the best place in Arizona for
- Fishing
- Star gazing (click here)

Fishing includes bluegill, largemouth bass, channel catfish, and black crappie.

http://www.azstateparks.com/Parks/ALLA/index.html

[Monster Dave]

...and all this time I thought that your dream car was the 6000 SUX:









Seriously though, the Unimog is a go anywhere does everything sort of vehicle! Very cool!  

[djrashonal]

It's a great time of year to go camping in Arizona. There are a million places that are normally too hot to go in the summer.

One such place is Lake Alamo.

The temperature there is the same as Phoenix, and it's widely regarded as the best place in Arizona for
- Fishing
- Star gazing (click here)

Fishing includes bluegill, largemouth bass, channel catfish, and black crappie.

http://www.azstateparks.com/Parks/ALLA/index.html

What about January? Is January a good time to go camping in Arizona? My fiance's bday is jan 31 and instead of vegas i'd rather take her camping, but this is my first Arizona winter.... I'm used to the NE winters   

[Michael]

What about January? Is January a good time to go camping in Arizona? My fiance's bday is jan 31 and instead of vegas i'd rather take her camping, but this is my first Arizona winter.... I'm used to the NE winters  

It depends on what kind of camping you like. Or rather, what kind of camping she likes.

Most of the good scenery areas are freezing during that time of year. And most of the good hiking/backpacking is pretty miserable in the winter as well.

If you are into off roading, then I know of some great places. I'd recommend driving up Queen Valley Road. Here is a link that marks a great campsite up there --

However, if she likes petroglyphs, then there is a great campsite near Gila Bend (which will be about the same temperature as Phoenix). The campsite itself is right next to a huge Indian petroglyph site. Here's some info on that -- http://www.blm.gov/az/st/en/prog/recreation/camping/dev_camps/painted_rock.html It's a developed site, so there will be a picnic table and a fire pit. The campsite itself is kind of ugly, but the petroglyphs are cool and the night sky is great.

Most of the Forest Service campsites shut down for the winter, but any BLM land is open all year round, and you can just throw down a tent wherever you like.

If you have gear and enjoy rapelling, then Coons Bluff is a fantastic spot. You can camp overlooking the river, and it's just a few miles out of town (so the temperature at night won't be too bad).

Anyway, it all depends on what kind of camping you want to do.

[djrashonal]

Awesome! THanks for the tips. I'm big into climbing and such, but her, not so much....i think it best to ease her into backpacking and the more intense camping and start with something closer to town, or a small hike in. I've got a bunch of gear, but I dont know if she's into plush camping or roughing it. So I think somewhere in between.