HikeArizona.COM

An interesting topic came up last night while I was talking to a friend. Which city do you think is a better place for a hiking-minded person to live- Phoenix, or Tucson? Why?

I'll post my own answer, but I'm curious to see what others have to say first.

Lizard

Unlike Phoenix, Tucson has a four season hiking climate due to the high elevation of our backyard sky islands. Being able to hike all year round is a big plus in my book.

Aw, come on SkyIslandHiker...you'll have everybody moving down here with talk like that. Just remember - it's dirty and smelly in Tucson. Stay away if you know what's good for you! :yuck:
;)

writelots wrote:Just remember - it's dirty and smelly in Tucson. Stay away if you know what's good for you!

Its a nice place to vist but I wouldn't want to..... ;)

Man, no one even considered the grooviest town in AZ! Oh,.... maaaaannnn,

jhodlof experience wrote:Man, no one even considered the grooviest town in AZ! Oh,.... maaaaannnn,

You mean, Springerville? Hey, thanks, dude!

I always thought Tucson better for dayhiking, because the dayhikes are more interesting around that area. You can also start a pretty nice backpacking trip from within 10 minutes drive of your house. On the other hand I can see the Phoenicians' point, that the Valley of the Sun is more centrally located in the state to reach a lot of areas, such as Flag, Clear Creek, and even Tucson. On the other hand, Tucsonans can more easily reach the Chircahuas, Mt. Graham, and the Galiuros.

But I think Tucson will have to win hands down in the day hike dept. A city closely walled-in on two sides by 9,000 foot mountains, and on a third side by 4,000 foot ones. And the Santa Ritas a distant 4th wall to the south.

The only reason Tucson did not get more votes is that this site is top-heavy with Phoenicians. Writelots, Deborah, Jeff, etc., you had all better get your pals to sign on to HAZ!

I looked for a box to mark for "Springerville" but it wasn't there, so I voted for Tucson.

Nope - still hate Tucson. It's stinky and flat and full of gun-toting, dog hating, hippies who like to block the trails with their diesel VW buses. Stay away - you wouldn't like it here. There's nothing to see. Move along...move along... ;)

That's right! Too many college kids out on the trails with savage, unleashed dogs and a latte in their hand. Mexican druglords routinely kidnap hikers and force them to work in their sprawling dope fields on the side of the mountain and there's a Mexican under every rock and leaf that can't wait to steal your job or healthcare benefits!!

who's deborah????

We gave you a new name, Nick; sorry you didn't get the memo...

writelots wrote:Aw, come on SkyIslandHiker...you'll have everybody moving down here with talk like that. Just remember - it's dirty and smelly in Tucson. Stay away if you know what's good for you! :yuck:
;)

Writelots - that smelly air you are referring to must be that pine scent within 10 miles of downtown Tucson I get your drift though.

Move to Springerville. Winter lasts 6 months. No one can read, write or spell, but they know how to put a lift on a pickup truck and how to dress an elk! (Sorta like someone who is running for public office right now?) There are no jobs unless you can get one at the power plant (then you'll be laid off within 6 months) or Dollar General. ATV's are the thing man, gotta run those things everywhere, especially if it's muddy, or it's a hiking trail. Shoot at all the non-motorized signs, too, dang hikers...

Skyislandhiker - I LOVE your profession. Do you guys rent boats? I need a cruise

azbackpackr wrote:Move to Springerville. Winter lasts 6 months. No one can read, write or spell, but they know how to put a lift on a pickup truck and how to dress an elk! (Sorta like someone who is running for public office right now?) There are no jobs unless you can get one at the power plant (then you'll be laid off within 6 months) or Dollar General. ATV's are the thing man, gotta run those things everywhere, especially if it's muddy, or it's a hiking trail. Shoot at all the non-motorized signs, too, dang hikers...

Sadly, you just described 90% of rural America.

writelots wrote:Skyislandhiker - I LOVE your profession. Do you guys rent boats? I need a cruise

That is great!!

The 100 most challenging places to live with allergies

Tucson is a sneezer at 24th and an itchy congested 1st in the West

Nothing to cry about in Phoenix at a distant 62nd

http://www.aafa.org/media/Spring-Allerg ... nkings.pdf

I love living in the southern part of the state, but the start of the Chilean mesquites down here really got my allergies going early this year. Claritin, Zyrtec, Flonase, yes I have tried them all.

So far, mine are tame this year compared to last, but I will run my A/C now that I know and take fexofenadine. April was my bad month last year, so we'll see.

Tree pollen levels are surging in NJ. I wonder how much different it will be in AZ. I'm sure something out there will get to me, but I don't know what it is yet. And I still don't know if Tucson or Phoenix would be better for me, but I might only get half a vote.

RedRoxx44 wrote:I love living in the southern part of the state, but the start of the Chilean mesquites down here really got my allergies going early this year. Claritin, Zyrtec, Flonase, yes I have tried them all.

Letty-
See 'bourbon remedies'..( Links to appease the puppy-less narcissist ;) ) .... http://yesweekly.com/article-11800-ways ... ptoms.html
(http://www.livestrong.com/article/13082 ... dies-cold/)