Backpacking saguaro National Park

“]”filter”: {” nextExceptions”: “img, blockquote, div”, “nextContainSexceptions”: “img, blockquote, a.btn, ao button”}}}}>

The 91,000 acres of land in Saguaro National Park are home to many animals. Floramountain peaks and natural wonders. The best way to explore everything it has to offer, and the only way to camp on the park’s border is to get into remote areas. I hiked 32 miles in the park in late March and made a lot of mistakes like Start with the hottest part of the day And underestimate the steep steepness. This is rough. This is what I learned so you don’t have to have the same experience on your next trip.

Highlights of remote areas of Sagaro National Park

Hiking through the remote areas of Saguaro is the only way to get into the park campground and the huge interior of the park. A good plan is to bring your backpack into the campground to make it a base camp for a few days, and then explore the Dayhikes elsewhere throughout the park.

My favorite part of hiking is the trails in the park, which are the changes in the ecosystem. I start at an altitude of 2700 feet; when you think of Saguaro: Rocky and Sandy, with countless cactus and a slightly desolate atmosphere, the landscape is the classic desert image you might think of. When I climbed to the final 8,000 feet, the environment completely changed. The lush forest of pine trees replaced the cactus and nature felt lush again.

The temperature changes are so huge that from 95 degrees at the beginning to 40 degrees at the highest elevation, there is still a small piece of snow on the ground. The Ascendance also enjoys the stunning views of the Lincoln Mountains. Camp Manning It’s also a highlight. It is home to the cottage built in 1905, which is located on the national historic site and is currently the foundation of the Park Ranger operation.

Itinerary and trails in Sagaro National Park

Saguaro National Park is divided into two parts, the city of Tucson in the middle. The area near the Lincoln Mountains is a campsite in six remote areas with multiple trails and various possible routes. I started with Douglas Spring Trailhead, hiked to Douglas Spring Campground (6.3 miles), and camped there. The next day I hiked to Camp Manning (12.8 miles) and went to Spud Rock Campground (2.9 miles another) and spent the night there. Then I turned back to Douglas Spring.

The tanned Verde Ridge Trail can also be set from the Javelin picnic area to Juniper Basin Camp (11.2 miles) and then continue to the camp at Grass Shack (6.2 miles) or Manning (8.3 miles). There are other trails, but Tanque Verde and Douglas Spring are the easiest to access and do not require all-wheel drive vehicles.

Booking: License is required for staying in Saguaro all night. exist retreat.govvisitors can book camps for $8 per night. Campgrounds are relatively easy to book; there is little competition for sites that people may encounter in parks like Sion.

Saguaro backpack DOS and not

I will be frank: Douglas Spring Trail and Hiking Heights beat my body so much that I had to change the itinerary. Initially, I planned to go to the Manning Campground from Douglas Spring Campground (1 pm), then hike to the Happy Valley Campground (2 pm), top Lincoln Peak, return to the Manning Campground (3 pm), and then return to the start. The next day, when I arrived at Camp Manning, I watched a 4-mile, 1,800-foot drop into the Happy Valley, and the next day I would have to climb. From Douglas Spring campground to Manning campground, I got 3,200 feet in 6 miles and the thought of more difficult climbs made my trembling legs and back tremble.

In Miracle I have enough cell reception to log in retreat.gov Then booked my night campground to Spud Rock Campground, which is only 2.9 miles from Manning. Then, I hiked 15.7 miles the next day and returned to the car on the trail. While I wholeheartedly suggest backpacking with the natural beauty and views of Saguaro, I totally disagree with my approach. This is my DOS and NOTS for a more enjoyable experience.

Don’t underestimate the growth of altitude

I compared the trails I hiked with the outdoor version of the Stair Master. From Douglas Spring Trailhead to Manning campgrounds, hikers gain over 5,000 feet of elevation at 6.3 miles. Not only is the rise long and sharp, but the steps on the trail are usually only the distance between my knees and feet, making the movements cumbersome. I had planned to go from Douglas Spring campground to Happy Valley (about 12 miles), but a smarter move was from Douglas Spring to Manning campground (6.3 miles). I underestimated how steep climbs slowed down my hiking pace and affected my mileage.

While I am by no means an amazing athlete, I am an avid backpacker and sports climber and this trail humbles me. Also, as someone living at sea level, I suspect higher altitudes and heat play a role in my increased fatigue, so that should be taken into account. Play on the safe side and build your trips for fewer miles a day.

Must bring extra water

I started the hike with about 7 liters of water, more than I usually do, and it was definitely the right call. The first chance to hydrate is at Douglas Spring Campground within 6.3 miles. After that, the next best option is at Devil’s Bathtub, about 1 mile from Manning Campground. Despite my thorough search, I couldn’t find Douglas’s Spring of the same name, so I couldn’t refill the water until the second day of the hike. It is best to call the park before leaving (520) 733-5153 for the latest water reports. The rangers at Camp Manning were also very friendly and made suggestions on where to replenish water.

Don’t start hiking

On the first day of my hike, I flew to Tucson Airport and didn’t get to the off-road vehicle until the afternoon. I started hiking around 1pm and it was a horrible experience. During the hottest time of the day, I’m hiking the hottest, least trace sections. The temperature was at least in the 90s and I had to take a break every 20 minutes due to the heat. I wish I had already started early in the morning or later in the day. When you get altitude, the rest of the hikes are much cooler, so there is much less time scheduling.

Plan extreme temperature changes

When I looked at Tucson’s forecast during my hike, the weather looked so hot that I barely had a sleeping bag. I think the lining is enough. My excessive packaging ended up with my 15 degree bag, which was a great choice. At 7,400 feet above sea level, the top of Spud Rock was colder at night than on Trailhead, and I even had to wear a long underwear at night. Temperatures vary from the mid-90s to the 40s, bringing various layers is the key to staying comfortable.

Saguaro National Park Backpack Safety Information

• Wildlife: National Park Service warns Saguaro has multiple animal hazards, including black bears, mountain lions, rattlesnakes and territory African bees. I haven’t encountered any of these on hiking, but it’s important to be prepared. Each campsite has a bear box for food and any other spice ingredients.
• insect: There are spotted fevers of tickers in the park, so wear long trousers, wear tweezers, and make sure to check for tickworms regularly.
• cactus: I tripped over a cactus sometime on the trail with a few barbs in my hand, another good reason to carry tweezers.

Who should backpack at Saguaro National Park?

Similar to my experience Joshua Treewhile the rest of the park is busy, the remote trails in Saguaro are empty. I’ve always met three other hikers and enjoyed loneliness. Hiking from Douglas Spring to the Manning campground is a great way to escape from crowds and calories. If your body is struggling to hike and with the ultimate goal of real wilderness, these trails are for you. Hiking is very difficult, with steep altitude and uneven terrain. My hiking poles saved me from the waterfall and twisted my ankles several times under the sharp drop. Backpacking trips through saguaro are harder than the recommendation of mileage, but also very meaningful, especially when the plan is right.