Family Friendly Hike

[satillayakker]

I am looking for info on family friendly hiking. I am looking to be out in AZ in late July and early August next year. I know its a hot time, but its the only time we can go. I lived in Yuma for a while, done some hiking around there but I know the ones I hiked are pretty rough. So I need some ideas. I will be needing some short, easy trails with good scenery. Some trails we are talking of 1 hour or so, maybe more if they are really nice... My oldest son and I are going to hike Palm Canyon early one morning, but we arent sure of any others. Any ideas or help is appreciated greatly. We are for sure making a family trip at Dino Tracks, the Lava tube near there and bettys kitchen. Any other ideas?

[Jeffshadows]

Will you be near Tucson?

[satillayakker]

We will be near Tucson briefly. 1 or 2 days. We plan about a week+ loop in AZ. We will be entering AZ near the Painted Desert, looping across near GC and down to Yuma area via Sedona and Jerome and such. Then back to the east to Tombstone and Tucson area.

[Jeffshadows]

Hope Camp trail in Saguaro National Park - East on the way to Colossal Cave might be worth checking out based on your description of what you guys are looking for. If you were coming a couple months later I'd say that the Tucson mountains would be the way to go, but it will be less than fun this time of year.

[Crzy4AZ]

If you have time in Flagstaff - the Kachina Trail is flat and very scenic. It's not a loop - you would go in a half a mile or so and then back out the same way. July weather is nice for hiking at that elevation.

In Sedona - I love Doe Mountain - short steep part at the start then you walk out on a mesa with amazing views all around. Would be hot in July/Aug but do-able in early am or late pm. Also if your son is into history/ruins - the Palatki ruins and tour is not far from Doe Mesa and good for short attention span quick hike. Then you could cut through by dirt road to Cottonwood to Jerome if that was in the plans.

If you were taking 89A south from Flag to Sedona - a good stop for kids would be West Fork Oak Creek Trail. Busy on weekends but it's flat, somewhat shaded, follows water much of the way. Fun to rock jump and wade in the water. Continuing on 89A at Slide Rock Park (not any hiking to speak of) but fun to play in the water.

Meteor Crater off I-40 is always good for ooohs and aaahs but man would it be hot in July.

Saw you are in Waycross - I grew up in Rome. I have posted a few GA hikes on this site but I don't think they get much interest.

[chumley]

The Flagstaff area is generally pretty comfortable at that time of year (if its not raining). So besides the Lava River Tube, you might want to check out the Aspen Nature Loop from the Snowbowl parking area. (Alternately, you can ride the chair lift to the top of mountain for some views). Also in this area are less-official trails that we at HAZ call Polar Aspen Alley. You can basically decide the length of your hike in this nice aspen-filled meadow by turning back whenever you want.

The Viet Springs trail is also along the Snowbowl road and is a pretty easy hike. Some history there too if you like to make kids activities like this somewhat educational.

http://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=2096
http://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=1003
http://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=1243
http://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=524

[azbackpackr]

I have also lived in Yuma, but only in winter, and I absolutely would not consider hiking there in summer. I do know a lot of the hikes around there, and there are hiking guidebooks available at the Visitor's Center downtown.

However, I would consider inner tubing or kayaking in summer on the lower Colorado River BELOW Laguna Dam, from Betty's kitchen all the way down past downtown Yuma to West Wetlands Park (has a ramp for takeout). At least in a kayak or inner tube you can keep cool. On the upper river, above Imperial Dam, there is good multiday canoeing, but again, it is better in the cooler months. Camping out when it is 110 AT NIGHT is not my idea of a great time. And with frequent daytime temps over 110, you are just asking for trouble, in my opinion. When heat stroke occurs, it happens fast, and then it is very hard to save that person. it is deadly.

Meanwhile on the same day it is 115 in Yuma, if you are in Flagstaff, or up in the White Mountains where I live, or up on Mt. Lemmon in Tucson, the temps, scenery, and everything else is much more likely to be "family friendly."

[satillayakker]

Thanks for the info. I was in Rome for a while. About a month (Did some State Trooper training there). Got to see Cloudland Canyon, and surrounding areas, the very nice.
We will be spending the majority of time it seems up near Flagstaff and area. Staying i the higher desert. I lived in Yuma for about 3 years, it has some great scenery, but woah, talk about hot in the... well, all but winter!
Tell me about these GA hikes, if you will...
@Crzy4AZ

[Crzy4AZ]

I love Cloudland! That's one of the hikes listed on this site. If you look at the top of the main hikearizona page there are states listed across the top. To get to GA click on "more" then look for USA Georgia. The four that I have written up:

http://www.hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=1308
http://www.hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=1310
http://www.hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=1302
http://www.hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=1299

One of these days I'll write up Amicalola Falls, Vogel park trails, Tallulah gorge, Cumberland island trails, Ossabaw island trails. Those are some of my favorites. Muggy and buggy but beautiful. Ossabaw is a truly preserved barrier island - hard to get on it anymore unless you are on a prescribed hunt. If you ever get the chance to go - put everything down and get there! You can take a boat from Kilkinney marina to the high tide mark without breaking any rules, but you can't go into the interior without permits.

Flagstaff will be perfect weather in July/August minus rain here and there. Sunset crater and Wupatki ruins are a nice loop with markers and history of the area and some neat volcanic cones.

Hope you have a great trip! Nice to see someone from GA on the site!

[Tough_Boots]

One of these days I'll write up Amicalola Falls, Vogel park trails, Tallulah gorge, Cumberland island trails, Ossabaw island trails.

I'm going back home to Marietta for a week in September-- prepare to see a couple new GA write ups and GPS tracks. I'll be doing the Coosa Backcountry Loop near Vogel for sure and then probably one or two shorter hikes-- I think that one is gonna put me in couch mode for a day. Do you have any other recommendations? I've done Blood Mountain many times and might incorporate that into the loop.

[Crzy4AZ]

May'retta?? Who knew! I remember when Town Centre mall was the s*** and the newest mall in town!

Why not throw in Lake Winfield Scott as a end of the day - pop open the hatch - have a beer - walk around the lake. Or take a dip in the lake. It's not too far from Vogel. Those twisty roads take longer than you think though. Love love Blood Mtn. Maybe try it from Lake Winfield Scott instead of from the usual Neel's gap.