HikeArizona.COM

I am from MN and will be spending the next 6 weeks in Scottsdale for work. Will have a number of weekends off and would like to do some hiking, anywhere in the state is fine. If you had 3 weekends to day-hike anywhere in AZ, what would you do? (One weekend will be spent at the Grand Canyon, the other 2 are up in the air). My biggest criterion is great scenery. Distance and elevation are not big concerns, but want to avoid anything technical or any route-finding that is super difficult.

I'd greatly appreciate any suggestions you all have!

If you're going to be in town you could do Camelback and Squaw Peak in the same day. Awesome city views, and it's right in the heart of town. Granted you will be dodging people in jeans and flip flops on both trails, but the views are great. If you're looking for something more remote then the options are endless. These two are just fun quick ones that offer a good cardio work out and a terrific view.

I don't live in that area, but I'd say head for the Superstitions. Peralta Trailhead or First Water Trailhead, and several others, are very easily reached. That Peralta area is VERY spectacular, but when you get to the trailhead, if it's a weekend, you will be disappointed to see hundreds of cars. Despair not, however. If you hike in more than two or three miles you will lose most of those folks. There are some pretty good loop hikes from that trailhead, and you can see the Weaver's Needle a lot of the time while you are hiking, and some wonderful cliffs, saguaros, creeks, and other scenery. This website has info about the Superstitions and Grand Canyon, just click on the ABC links.

Those mid-city peaks, such as Squaw Peak, etc., are mostly used by people needing to get some quick daily exercise, but I wouldn't recommend them if what you want to see is spectacular Arizona scenery.

If you are going to be day-hiking in the Grand Canyon and are in reasonably good shape for hiking very steep trails I'd recommend you avoid both Bright Angel and Kaibab trails, and instead choose either Grandview Trail from Grandview Point to Horseshoe Mesa (about 8 miles R/T) or Hermit's Rest to Dripping Springs, 6.5 miles R/T. You may be required to use the shuttle bus for the Hermit's hike, but the shuttle buses are very convenient, so not to worry. These two trails will have fewer tourists on them and a bit more of a backcountry wilderness feeling.

azbackpackr wrote: If you are going to be day-hiking in the Grand Canyon and are in reasonably good shape for hiking very steep trails I'd recommend you avoid both Bright Angel and Kaibab trails, and instead choose either Grandview Trail from Grandview Point to Horseshoe Mesa (about 8 miles R/T) or Hermit's Rest to Dripping Springs, 6.5 miles R/T. You may be required to use the shuttle bus for the Hermit's hike, but the shuttle buses are very convenient, so not to worry. These two trails will have fewer tourists on them and a bit more of a backcountry wilderness feeling.

About Hermits rest trail

From March to November visitors wishing to experience the
viewpoints along Hermit Road must ride the free shuttle buses.
This construction requires the closure of Hermit Road from Hopi Point west beginning April 1. The closure also includes
the Rim Trail west of Hopi Point. The shuttle buses will continue to run as far as Hopi Point.Use of Hermit Trail is restricted during the construction. Day hikers and backpackers should check with the rangers in the
Backcountry Information Center before attempting to get out on Hermit Trail. Grandview Trail and other trails between
Grand Canyon Village and Desert View provide alternatives for descending into the canyon on less developed trails.

And as long as you know that there are more people on the Bright Angel and Kaibab trails I wouldn't totally avoid them half the fun of hiking on those trails are the people that you meet. After you go down maybe 2 miles on either trail you come across the more interesting people. I have hiked those trails so many times recently and really enjoy hiking and talking to others and answering questions about the canyon. Just know that it can be hot and take lots of water and snacks.

Rent a four wheel drive vehicle and day hike from Rogers Canyon Trailhead to the cliff dwellings in Rogers Canyon. This is easy to get to from US Highway 60 and it is located on the southern side of the Superstition Wilderness. Read the posts and look at the trip reports regarding this trip for more info. The drive to and from the trailhead is almost worth the trip in itself.....

azbackpackr wrote:That Peralta area is VERY spectacular, but when you get to the trailhead, if it's a weekend, you will be disappointed to see hundreds of cars.

This is a crowded trailhead, but "hundreds of cars" is a bit of an exaggeration.

I'll have to post again later when I think of something for you. This is an odd time of year. The temps could be just right or blazing hot. I was in the Superstitions last weekend, and I cut my time short because it was too hot for my taste.

McDowell Mountains
Cave Creek/Spur Cross
Pine Mountain
Pine Canyon
Webber Creek
West Clear creek
and lastly but not leastly Brown's Peak or Barnhardt trail, to prove AZ isnt all desert.

I just hiked the Little Saddle Mountain trail in the Mazatzals yesterday. That was one awesome hike! Easy trailhead access (paved road, about an hour from my apartment in central Phoenix), about 4 miles up to the Saddle Mountain trail junction, and from the looks of it, only a couple more miles, tops, to the top of Saddle Mountain. We didn't start hiking until about 2 pm, took several looong breaks for photos, and only needed flashlights for about 20 minutes on the hike back. It had a gurgling creek with little waterfalls, some great riparian scenery, and then farther towards the top some amazing views of the entire range. The weather out there is PERFECT right now too.