HikeArizona.COM

Hi All,

I wonder if I could get an opinion from anyone on what they feel are the best summer hikes within say...100 miles from Phoenix. We are looking to do some day hikes and obviously away from the summer heat... :twisted: We've done the Flume Trail up in Strawberry a couple years back in August which wasn't too bad but are looking for something different.

Would appreciate anyone's feedback on this.

Marty

Hey Marty

I'm faster at programming then thinking so I whipped this page up for ya!

It's hikes over 5500 ft within a 140 mile radius of Phoenix that are highly rated by members.

http://hikearizona.com/summerFUN.php

I do look forward to hearing everybody's personal favorites!

Joe,

As always an awesome response. I like the "Granite Mountain Trail"...sounds great. Anyone else have any favs from Joe's list?

Thanks again Joe!!

Marty

In response to joe bartels' reply:

This is what we mean when we talk about Joes superhuman abilities (not his ability to hit a major league fast-ball -Thanks Yale!)

I'd add See Canyon, Lava tube (not really a hike), Tonto Natural bridge (if the ranger is not around you can stand under the waterfall) and West Fork of Oak Creek Canyon.

I'd second See Canyon which would also put you in the vicinty of Christopher Creek Gorge. That's nice too but if you go expect lots of people. Great swimming holes. A fun place. Then down the way there is Gordon Creek in one direction, Horten Creek in the other. If your wanting dayhikes from a base camp I'd say the Christopher Creek/ Tonto Creek area is the way to go. Have a great time.

Cindy, Daryl & Matt,

Thanks...this is just what I was looking for...a nice hike with cooler temps...not too far to drive for a day hike and also the possibility of some swimmming...perfect!

Appreciate the feedback.

M-

In response to mjmann's reply:

I'll add two more. They are my favorites in the Prescott area. Woodchute Trail, and the Groom Creek Loop Trail. The Woodchute is my #1 and I like to arrive at the trailhead when its light enough to see. The feel of the forest coming alive for the new day is awesome and you might catch sight of deers meandering near the trail. On top of Woodchute when you get to the opening and to the east, you will be afforded a fantastic view.

Four of us took the advice in this thread on a 105° day in Phoenix and did the See Canyon hike as recommended. We did a loop, going up See Canyon and then over to the upper Drew Canyon TH and down it. It was 86° at 3pm as we returned to the See Canyon TH parking lot.

Great loop! 12 miles in 6.5 hours.

Thanks,
Irv

Back two summers, when I wanted to get away from the heat, I explored hiking up the Old Mine Road going up Mt. Ord.

It wasn't exactly a walking trail, but close enough. You could take a quad up it, or maybe a small 4x4, but the entrance is completely inaccessible to motor vehicles with a three foot embankment to scale.

It also turned out that the area was supposed to be closed due to the fire danger but there was no posting at the entrance and the ranger I met at the top was nice enough to give us some extra water.
Check with http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/tonto/fire/ for closures.

I'm going to need to dig out a map to describe where to turn off, contact me if you're interested.[/code]

Looks like 2 of the favorites, Christopher Creek and See Canyon, might not be so great anymore. Let's hope for rain without wind.

The original person who started this post was talking about 100 miles or LESS from Phoenix, so I won't expound on my area of the White Mtns., which is well over 200 miles away. However, up by Globe you can hike in the Pinal Mtns. They are nice and cool in summer, have a campground and are in the pines. You can also go to the Tucson area, although I think Mt. Lemmon is over 100 miles. I know there are people from the Valley who start very early in the a.m. and drive there to hike, though. It makes for a long day, but is very beautiful.

A bit more than 100 miles (2.5 hrs driving Tempe to trailhead), I include this because its so nice, and rare to see anybody else all day: The Cabin Loop Trails on the Rim. The elevation is all above 7000 ft, and most of the hike is either in shaded pines or along grassy meadows. There's also a couple of springs along the way. The best part in my opinion is the lack of steep climbs. Each trail is 5-8 miles long and none is more than a couple of hundred feet of elevation change. Any one trail is perfect for a nice day hike, or combining several into a loop can be a nice backpack trip. From mid-July to early September, you also run an excellent chance of a midday thunder shower.
See Barbershop, Houston Brothers, U-Bar, and Fred Haught trails. http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/recrea ... llon.shtml