Guided multi-day backpacking trip on Arizona’s Mogollon Rim
Overview
A backpacking trip differs significantly from a normal camping or hiking excursion in that it involves hiking away from roads, trail heads, parking lots…etc. with everything we need on our backs.
The days are full with simple yet stunningly fulfilling activities: hiking, fishing, ascending canyons, swimming, eating, resting, appreciating where we are, connecting with fellow travelers. The joys of backpacking are not easily conveyed in words – ultimately, the only way to truly understand it is to experience it yourself.
With no other overnight guides working on the Mogollon Rim around Happy Jack, AZ, this is your unique opportunity to access nature away from the crowds in a breathtakingly gorgeous canyon.
Never backpacked before?
We have you covered with equipment and a list of items for you to bring, so you are assured a comfortable journey.
Additionally, your guide is a Wilderness First Responder (WFR) and has their CPR certification, so guests will be in the best of hands.
The days are full with simple yet stunningly fulfilling activities: hiking, fishing, ascending canyons, swimming, eating, resting, appreciating where we are, connecting with fellow travelers. The joys of backpacking are not easily conveyed in words – ultimately, the only way to truly understand it is to experience it yourself.
With no other overnight guides working on the Mogollon Rim around Happy Jack, AZ, this is your unique opportunity to access nature away from the crowds in a breathtakingly gorgeous canyon.
Never backpacked before?
We have you covered with equipment and a list of items for you to bring, so you are assured a comfortable journey.
Additionally, your guide is a Wilderness First Responder (WFR) and has their CPR certification, so guests will be in the best of hands.
Inclusions
- Breakfast
- Dinner
- Backpacking pack (60L)
- Tent
- Sleeping pad
- Headlamp
- Dry bag
- Camp chair
- Private transportation
- Cookware & utensils
- Sleeping bag
What to expect
Itinerary
Get off the main road for a self sufficient 3 day / 2 night backpacking trip into a remote canyon that has a creek full of fish and plenty of swimming holes with a local wilderness guide.
While this hike requires no previous experience, we’ll descend 800ft from the canyon rim in 0.7 mile, which makes for a more strenuous hike out. Once at the canyon floor, the next quarter mile requires boulder hopping and a fair amount of bushwacking that can be difficult to get through. Past this however, the hike becomes more pleasant until we reach camp.
Once camp has been set up, guests are free to enjoy the wilderness area as they please. Activity options include swimming, fishing, hiking, birding, etc.
We provide everything except clothing, footwear, rain gear, personal items, snacks, and a couple small gear items. All the gear we provide (backpacks, sleeping bag, tents, sleeping pads, cooking gear) is top-of-the-line. Also, you can request to share a tent with others in your party or have one to yourself. Breakfast and dinner are included and your guide will help prepare all meals. Pack weights vary between 25 and 45 pounds, depending on the trip specifics.
Get off the main road for a self sufficient 3 day / 2 night backpacking trip into a remote canyon that has a creek full of fish and plenty of swimming holes with a local wilderness guide.
While this hike requires no previous experience, we’ll descend 800ft from the canyon rim in 0.7 mile, which makes for a more strenuous hike out. Once at the canyon floor, the next quarter mile requires boulder hopping and a fair amount of bushwacking that can be difficult to get through. Past this however, the hike becomes more pleasant until we reach camp.
Once camp has been set up, guests are free to enjoy the wilderness area as they please. Activity options include swimming, fishing, hiking, birding, etc.
We provide everything except clothing, footwear, rain gear, personal items, snacks, and a couple small gear items. All the gear we provide (backpacks, sleeping bag, tents, sleeping pads, cooking gear) is top-of-the-line. Also, you can request to share a tent with others in your party or have one to yourself. Breakfast and dinner are included and your guide will help prepare all meals. Pack weights vary between 25 and 45 pounds, depending on the trip specifics.
Additional information
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- Gear/equipment sanitized between use
- Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
- Guides required to regularly wash hands
- Regular temperature checks for staff
- Contactless payments for gratuities and add-ons
- COVID-19 vaccination required for guides
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 4 travelers
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Ticket delivery
You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start time of the experience.
R5377KWnickn
September 2023
Christian is a highly knowledgeable and very friendly guide! He took us through some of the most beautiful parts of Arizona I’ve ever experienced while ensuring our safety. Would highly recommend Backpack Arizona for great conversation and an awesome adventure while enjoying some beautiful AZ vie...
Christian is a highly knowledgeable and very friendly guide! He took us through some of the most beautiful parts of Arizona I’ve ever experienced while ensuring our safety. Would highly recommend Backpack Arizona for great conversation and an awesome adventure while enjoying some beautiful AZ views.Tour12330862415
September 2023
Christian was amazing with outfitting us with the appropriate gear and guiding us to some of the most beautiful areas I have ever seen. He was fun to talk to and was very easygoing. I can tell how much he loves sharing special places with people who appreciate it. Beginners, Christian is the be...
Christian was amazing with outfitting us with the appropriate gear and guiding us to some of the most beautiful areas I have ever seen. He was fun to talk to and was very easygoing. I can tell how much he loves sharing special places with people who appreciate it. Beginners, Christian is the best option to make sure your backpacking experience is pleasurable. Experienced backpackers, I would still recommend going with Christian. You will learn something from him and will be taken to a place that is only found after a heavy amount of scouting trips and google earth scrolling. 10/10Jackster8786
March 2023
Backpacking with Christian was incredible! We went to the most beautiful and secluded area. I have never seen Arizona this way! I have been here for 10 years and this was an amazing way to see what the wilderness has to offer here; definitely not anything like the movies portray it! Christian wa...
Backpacking with Christian was incredible! We went to the most beautiful and secluded area. I have never seen Arizona this way! I have been here for 10 years and this was an amazing way to see what the wilderness has to offer here; definitely not anything like the movies portray it! Christian was so knowledgable about the wilderness and was able to identify like every plant, tree and, paw print in the woods. He was also able to explain how things like climate affect an environment or why mountains look a certain way. The camping part was also excellent! The gear he provided was in excellent condition and he even did the hard part by setting it all up. He hung lights up around camp with solar batteries so that when the sun set we had more light than just the fire. Lastly, the meals he provided were surprisingly yummy! I was a little hesitant about what seemed like an astronaut meal, but they were delicious and so filling! My favorite was definitely the chicken teriyaki! I will definitely be booking another trip with Backpack Arizona to learn more about the beautiful places this state has to offer!AshleyM643
September 2023
Christian is an amazing guide. I was a little nervous at first to go by myself, but the conversation was so engaging it felt like the days flew by. Christian took the time to learn about my experience and some health limitations I'm experiencing, and customized my itinerary to both fit my nee...
Christian is an amazing guide. I was a little nervous at first to go by myself, but the conversation was so engaging it felt like the days flew by. Christian took the time to learn about my experience and some health limitations I'm experiencing, and customized my itinerary to both fit my needs and offer a breathtaking experience of Arizona I never could have achieved any other way. After he got to know me he offered me the freedom to encounter challenges and face them at my experience level. I was able to learn so many things and do them myself, but had Christian there to back me up and make sure I was safe. I can't wait to go again.B4248LXkimd
June 2023
Christian was such a thoughtful and intrepid guide! I couldn't believe what was before my eyes as we descended into this magnificent canyon. Our hike was adventurous and wild, each corner was a new awe inspiring sight to behold. The camping spot itself was well chosen. Christian ensured I had ev...
Christian was such a thoughtful and intrepid guide! I couldn't believe what was before my eyes as we descended into this magnificent canyon. Our hike was adventurous and wild, each corner was a new awe inspiring sight to behold. The camping spot itself was well chosen. Christian ensured I had everything I needed, setup was easy and I wasn't missing a thing. The food is surprisingly delicious! During the day we had so much fun hiking, swimming and fishing. It was such a relief to be so far away from humanity, in this special oasis. I fell asleep to the sounds of the natural creek and crackling fire. Truly this is a lifetime memory. If you are on the fence, let me tell you it's worth it, take the plunge. These vistas and this feeling of being truly wild will ignite your soul. These are the kinds of experiences that make a life well lived.jaysE3919DI
May 2023
Great experience! Great guide! Christian was flexible and tailored a wilderness experience around exactly what I was interested in. He made the logistics easy and has the right vehicle to access hard to reach destinations. I appreciated his laid-back approach and enthusiasm for the outdoors....
Great experience! Great guide! Christian was flexible and tailored a wilderness experience around exactly what I was interested in. He made the logistics easy and has the right vehicle to access hard to reach destinations. I appreciated his laid-back approach and enthusiasm for the outdoors. Highly recommend.