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I was wondering what the best overall hike in AZ is.

the AZT

cass1234 wrote:I was wondering what the best overall hike in AZ is.

All the ones I haven't done yet.

All the ones I have done are pretty good, too.

What are your criteria for a good hike? Solitude? Big views? Water? Plants? Forest? Geology? Wildlife? History?

Thanks for the quick replies. I am not sure what criteria I would use to measure the "best" hike. I guess the number one criteria would be fun. Perhaps I should have asked what everybody's personal favorite hike is. I have not completed many hikes, but for the record, my favorite so far is Brown's Peak.

What is AZT?

The Arizona Trail. Many popular trails are part of the AZT, which crosses the state north-south.

I think MikeInFHAZ hiked the whole thing in, what Mike- like 3 days or somethin'?

Okay it was 4 but he had a sore foot.

:rollH:

my favorite overall hike to date is the escalante rt. in g.c. my favorite summer hike to date is anything that gets you wet. and coming in after those two is everything else

I agree with MikeinFH, AZT. It has everything and is definitely the Best Overall Hike in AZ.

Joe had a poll and we had a long thread on "The Perfect Hike" if you are interested
http://hikearizona.com/dex2/viewtopic.php?t=1119

My favorite was Box Camp Trail down Mt Lemmon to the Sabino Basin (7.1), about a mile up Sabino Creek to Palisade Trail and back up from the desert to the alpine forest (about 15 mi total, and another 2 or three on the road back to the BC Trailhead..

Spectacular views and a real tail-kicker! I did it as an over-nighter, camping in Sabino Basin, but if you were a bad boy (or girl), it could be done as a day hike providing you weren't wearing a 50+ lb. pack

Unfortunately, I'm pretty sure some portions of this route sustained heavy fire damage a few years back.

that was just me being silly, The AZT is of course the best hike in AZ since it covers about every transition zone and ecologic area this great state offers. Only a select group of hardcores have done it end to end, its around 500 miles or something.

DesertRoux and I were at the Fred Haught trailhead prepped to hike the Blue Ridge section, but were hailed out. I was banking on the thunderstorm to roll through a bit later than it did!

We'll try again near the end of this month.

mikeinFHAZ wrote: its around 500 miles or something.

I think that it is around 750 miles.

Not that 250 miles is going to bother you, Desertroux or FW.

cass1234 wrote:I was wondering what the best overall hike in AZ is.

If you're looking you won't find it.

Ah...the journey, not the destination! Well said Joe.

joe bartels wrote:

cass1234 wrote:I was wondering what the best overall hike in AZ is.

If you're looking you won't find it.

Ah yes, Zen master. What is the sound of one teva walking?

The way is crossed by many paths,
The moss by sandal tracks.
White clouds lean, at rest on the silent island.
Fragrant grasses bar the idle gate.

Rain past, observe the color of the pines.
Out along the mountain, to the source,
Flowers in the stream reveal Ch’an’s meaning:
Face-to-face, all words gone.
- Lui Ch’angt-ch’ing (710-785)

Oblivious, I pass Hsiang-chi Temple,
Walking on through mountain clouds,
An empty trail through ancient trees.
Deep in the mountains, a bell resounds.

The singing river flows among stones.
Sunlight streams though frozen pines.
In this still pool, in falling light,
Zen overcomes the serpents of delusion.
- Wang Wei (710-761)

al1inaz wrote: Ah yes, Zen master. What is the sound of one teva walking?

Clump, "OUCH", Clump, "OUCH", ...

At least that's what it sounds like in the desert.

mikeinFHAZ wrote:DesertRoux and I were at the Fred Haught trailhead prepped to hike the Blue Ridge section, but were hailed out. I was banking on the thunderstorm to roll through a bit later than it did!

We'll try again near the end of this month.

Were you hailed on this past Sunday? We hit a hail storm on I-17 near Cordes Junction on our way back from Flag. Nasty one too.

:yikes:

Clump, "OUCH", Clump, "OUCH", ...

At least that's what it sounds like in the desert.

Trishness wrote:

mikeinFHAZ wrote:DesertRoux and I were at the Fred Haught trailhead prepped to hike the Blue Ridge section, but were hailed out. I was banking on the thunderstorm to roll through a bit later than it did!

We'll try again near the end of this month.

Were you hailed on this past Sunday? We hit a hail storm on I-17 near Cordes Junction on our way back from Flag. Nasty one too.

:yikes:

We were hailed on Saturday actually, a little after noon. It was a doozey for sure. When the lightning hit, it was just instant superbright. You couldn't see where it was coming from, then the thunder hit between your ears. It was like being inside a storm. Kinda fun for a little bit. Then better judgment takes over. We ended up camping out for the night after the storm blew over on a pretty choice spot on the edge of the rim. Heres the view ...
http://i5.tinypic.com/20h6mhl.jpg



As far as best overall hike. I agree there can't be one. (except for the AZT) A couple of my favorites are...
Parson's Spring
Tony's Cabin
Humphreys Peak

To date, my best memories were in Aravaipa.

Mt Baldy Loop has to be pretty high on the list.