While in Arizona this February visiting family, I did a 4 day backpacking trip in the Red Rock canyons just outside of Sedona AZ.
My planned itinerary focused more on exploring side trails than crushing mile (I'm not sure I've ever crushed miles - maybe someday). In part this due to carrying 7 liters of water and being out of shape. But mainly it was because I love exploring.
I was not disappointed in the exploring. I did some unintended bushwhacking that lead to a nice campsite to weather out a sleet storm. I later hiked a faint trail up to an arch & didn't see another person in Secret Canyon the 2 day I was in there. Visiting in February had it's perks.
I then hit Lost Canyon & saw some ruins below from my vantage point on the upper rim. Very cool. And to top it off, I did a side trail to the Soldier Pass to see a cave w/arches. Again, I was the only one there, so it made it feel special.
The trip wasn't all solitude - there were 4x4's, helicopters, and mountain bikers that I saw. If that bothers ya, then it might not be for you. It didn't bother me as I knew where I was going they wouldn't be there.
The hammock camping turned out great. I had my 20 degree kit with me, and spent a couple nights in the mid-20s. I wouldn't want to push it any lower. The good thing about AZ is if you can make it thru the night it typically warms up pretty quick.
My one big hammock event was having the wind pull up all 8 corners of my tarp. I was camped under a huge pine tree, and it was probably a foot of duff on the ground. I had MSR groundhogs, with 2-3 calf sized limbs laying over each one. The wind pulled them all up. I moved spots after that. I was the first time hanging under my new cuben fiber tarp & having all those stakes & tree limbs hanging tangled around the tarp was concerning to say the least
Anyway, here's a few photos & link to the video.
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by ObdewlaX
Bookmarks