Escaping the heat at Blue Ridge

Nighthiker · Joined: 05 Jan 2003 Posts: 1714

Escaped last thursday to escape the heat of the valley. Set up base camp at Blue Ridge Campground, a small 10 unit campground. The Arizona Trail connects with the campground. During my five day stay, it rained every afternoon with the exception of the first day when it rained all day.
But I was able to set up my campsite (popup camper) during a lull from the rain. Did not observe much wildlife, lots of campers in the area. Explored the area of FR 616 including Pivot Rock Springs and on another day visited Jack Canyon. Did a trip to Winslow, and yep did stand on the cornor along with a large number of German tourists. Folks in Winslow were quite friendly, honked and waved until I realized that the two main streets I had been driving on were one way. During my stay the highs were mid 70's and the lows mid 50's. Brother was also camping (Casita travel trailer), we have camped in the area since moving to Arizona in 67. Did get to observe a Desert Primrose bloom one evening was one of the coolest things I had oserved during the trip. Hope to return soon.

Nighthiker · Joined: 05 Jan 2003 Posts: 1714

Attempting to post pictures of my recent trip, Laptop is not very friendly.

azbackpackr · Posted: 7/30/2010, 6:12 pm Post subject:

Friggin' SOGGY over this way. I don't recommend anyone coming up here to camp until it starts to dry up a bit. If you have a camper or are staying at a motel or cabin, might be ok.

sam_hikes · Joined: 07 Apr 2003 Posts: 383

Baldy rain gauge reports nearly 4 inches in the last week and I suspect other parts of the mtn got more. Bet the road crews are having lots of fun in the mud! Last summer the stats show they got 10 inches from May-Sept with around 14 inches of summer rain being about avg lately.

Yearly precip in the 80's was nearly 37 inches but since the drought it has never reached the avg with 2002 being the worst with next to no snowfall and under 10 inches of precip for the year.