Arizona Trailblazers Hiking Club
Aravaipa Backpacking Trip
Galiuro Mountains
June 12 - 14, 2026
clipbord   Trip Report : April 29-May 2, 2018
•  The hike:
    This is a three day adventure in the Galiuro Mountains. You ask “Where is that?” Draw a line between Globe and Tucson. At the middle of the line, in the middle of nowhere, is Araviapa.
    This is a splendid beginners backpack of 2 - 4 miles in a streambed. Your feet will get wet. The stream is likely to only be ankle deep. This hike is during the new moon, so the skies will be dark with many stars at night. The days will be warm, but with a cool stream to walk in, it will not be bad.
    We will can only have 2 vechicles. My truck will be one, it can hold 5, plus gear for 10. I have a complete backpack list if needed.
    The club has backpacking gear that can be loaned to club members, so they can try before buying
Required:
•  Hiking gear and backpacking gear
Poles are required when walking in stream beds with water.
Recommended:
•  Camera
• Distance: 2 - 8 miles over 3 days
• Elevation change: +-100'
• On trail: 100%, but in a stream
• Cost: There is a charge of $20.00 to hike Araviapa for three days. The club also allows voluntary contributions of $5/non-member. Riders, please share gas expenses with the drivers. Your place is not reserved until I get the $20.
• Weather conditions: Mammoth. Not a good match, but the nearest place with weather.
• Dogs allowed: no
• Trip Leader:   
• Meet:
10:00 AM in the parking lot south of Home Depot on the NW corner of Superstitions Springs & Power Road, just south of the Superstition Freeway. No cars may be left there.
• Drive:
•  From Phoenix, take US Highway 60 to Superior.
• At Superior, exit and take AZ 177 south to AZ 77.
• Conitue south on AZ 77 to the turn off for Aravaipa
• This road is paved for most of the way, but becomes dirt at the end.
• At the end of the road is the trailhead with a rest room.

Day 1 Is the drive from Phoenix to Araviapa. We will then start the backpack and find a camp site in the 2 - 4 mile range.

Day 2 We will do a short hike up the creek for sightseeing. All tents will be in the shade of the trees, so not bad temperatures.

Day 3 This is our last day here, so we will take our time. We must exit by midnight. We will have pizza in Kearny. We may also stop in Mammoth, to see the old large railroad bridge.

updated March 14, 2026