[jeremy77777]

What is your favorite and why?

[joe bartels]

Without a doubt...

Upper Woods Canyon

[ Old Invalid Link Removed ] (Upper)

I can hardly wait to tackle Wet Beaver!
Thanks to Lizard's rippin' swanky pics! - Yeah Baby!

[Steven]

My favorites are all in the Flagstaff Area. My very most favorite is the Inner Basin Trail. Even tho its crowded there are spots to hike from the crowds in the Inner Basin. It's my favorite because the tall mountains, the greenery, and the elevation. There is a sense of peace up there. My other favorite is the Humpherys trail.

[Mike]

The Grand Canyon, esp. N. Kaibab. Most anywhere in the Superstitions. Secret Canyon. West Fork, beyond the point where most people turn around. Barnhardt, when the snow's melting or there's been a lot of rain.

Note to Teva Joe: You should add the top 5 hikes feature you used to have to the profiles. Wouldn't take that much, one table, one query! It'd be very cool to see top five overall based on all the members selections, too!

[evenstarx3]

For me, gotta be So. Kaibab...views of the river were absolutely breathtaking; amazing thing was actually hearing the river before it actually cam into view!

[desert dweller]

For 20 years my favorite destination was Bear Spring in Bear Canyon of the Hauchucas. But with the Border situation backpacking in the Range is no longer an option.

Another favorite is west side of the Dragoons, southwest of Wilcox. This is more of a place for day hikes and camping. Lots of history in the area. It is within 20 miles of Tombstone. The Dragoons was where Cochise Stronghold is located.

[Nighthiker]

I prefer the Tonto National Forest. I go out to the garage, throw a dart at the map and that is where I will visit.

[sean82]

So far everywhere I've hiked in AZ I've gotten lost and loved every moment! Arizona is rugged and beautiful! My favorite lost adventures to date happen in Verde Valley/Sedona.

[CindyC]

West Fork of Oak Creek and West Clear Creek all the way through. Can't say which I like better. Oak Creek has some emotional ties for me. West Clear Creek is great because of the changes from high redrock desert to pine forest. See Canyon definitly is up there.

[Cakewalk]

Being a 12 year veteran of the state of North Dakota, Im still an awe of the beauty and ruggedness of the entire state. Its as if God fashioned the whole place just for me! Im diggin it!

[Lizard]

Blue Range Primitive Area, the Highline trail or anything in the high country in Eastern AZ. Canyon country, although I don't like Sedona or the Grand Canyon much.. too many people for my tastes. Also a bit off-topic for Arizona but the Sierra Nevada.

[sean82]

Blue Range Primitive Area, the Highline trail or anything in the high country in Eastern AZ. Canyon country, although I don't like Sedona or the Grand Canyon much.. too many people for my tastes. Also a bit off-topic for Arizona but the Sierra Nevada.

I hear ya on the people thing, it's just damned pretty... I have been able to get away, really away, from any crowds thus far... If I see cars parked where I wanted to hike I just keep going, you can go for quite a while, or so I've found out!

Pinnacle Peak trail is pretty desolate though, nobody hikes that one. KIDDING! I hiked it with my 6 month old on Memorial Day and it was like driving Scottsdale Road at 4:55pm on a Friday!!! Holy traffic Batman!

[BoyNhisDog]

Blue Range Primitive Area.

Lizard, I would like to hear more about this area. Anything you can tell us. Don't be afraid to be long winded. I have had my eye on this rugged area for quite some time. I just need more time to do it.

[Daryl]

Siphon draw to the top of the Flatiron is the hike I have the most fun doing. Picket Post is a lot of fun too.
Of course the Grand Canyon is at the top of the list, but Aravaipa Canyon is a must too(&@%$! permits).
For something different Paria Canyon and Buckskin Gultch (although they are mostly in Utah) are amazing. After a wet winter it's a hike/wade/swim, and the mud holes in Buckskin must be experienced by every hiker. There's nothing in the world quite like walking though waste deep mud with the same look and conststancy as hot fudge, but doesn't smell anything like it.

[CindyC]

I have always wanted to go the the Blue Range area but have never made it further than Alpine. Please give any info you have on this area. I'd love to hear about it for future reference.

[dennisbench]

For me I'd have to say peralta and up around the needle. Although I say that since i just moved here and that's all I've done. Hehe.

[Lizard]

I wrote up a trail description on one of my hikes in the Blue Range. I believe its under the title Steeple Mesa - Grant Creek Also, this site has very detailed trail descriptions of all the trails in the area:

http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/asnf/resources/trl_blu_list.htm

The Bear Wallow and Escudilla Wildernesses are worthwhile too. And I'm pretty surprised that no one has written up a description of Mt. Baldy yet.

Lizard

[Lizard]

I will second that vote for the Paria Canyon - Buckskin Gulch hike. That is one out-of-this-world amazing experience.

On a slightly related note, has anyone ever done the hike to "the wave?" Its a cool-looking area that's also in the Paria Canyon Wilderness. I found an interesting description:

http://velodurt.tripod.com/The%20Wave/thewave.htm


Any info appreciated.

Lizard

[Fritzski]

I used to be the "Superstition Researcher", I guess till I got demoted - probably not providing enough good material to the big guy at the top, you know how it is. Anyway, I guess you could say I'm fairly partial to the area. Mazatzals are great too, but I think alot has to do with what parts of the state you have regular access to, given your location and family/work situation.

[kurthzone]

My favorite part of the state is the area in the White Mountains around Big Lake and Crescent Lake and Mount Baldy. I've been going up there for over 45 years. I love the aspens and the variety of connifers. The following trail is a nice one. I borrowed the description from the site linked at the bottom of this post:

Arizona's White Mountains
West Baldy Trail #94

Elevation: About 9,000 feet at the trailhead and 11,200 feet at the Reservation boundary near the summit.

Season: May through October depending on snowpack. Sometimes snowdrifts block portions of the trail as late as June.

Use: Heavy from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Moderate at other times.

Length: 14 miles round-trip from parking lot at Sheep's Crossing.

Difficulty: Moderate.
Access: The trailhead is located at Sheep's Crossing, off the gravel portion of AZ 273.

The trail starts just out of the parking area and through the gate. Please, take a moment to sign the visitor register. The trail is easy to follow as it cuts across a wide meadow and edges up to the West Fork of the Little Colorado. The trail follows the stream for the next two miles, climbing gradually. This stretch is the most heavily used portion of the trail and quite possible the most heavily used trail on the Forest. If you have a problem with lots of other hikers, then avoid this trail on weekends and holidays. as the trail begins a more noticeable climb, the crowds thin out quite a bit. The trail crosses the West Fork over an old bridge and continues its uphill grade. The ascent is no vein-popper, but it can still be taxing due to the steady climb and high elevation.

The trail crosses meadows and winds through a thick forest setting dominated by spruce, fir and aspen. Beaver dams dot the stream and fishing on the West Fork is generally good. As you work your way up, the trail becomes a series of switchbacks. Please stay on the trail and resist the temptation to make your own shortcuts. This damages the soil, scars the land and causes erosion which could wash out the established trail and bring silt into the creek. The West Baldy Trail merges with the East Baldy Trail in a saddle near the Reservation boundary below Mt. Thomas. At this point you can see some new country and continue down to the other side, or turn around and see the trail you just came up from a different angle. Each is a 7 mile hike from this point. Many hikers park a vehicle at the Sheep's Crossing trailhead and another at the Phelp's trailhead as shuttle vehicles. The summit of Mt. Baldy is on the White Mountain Apache Reservation and is closed to all non-tribal members. Please respect their customs and laws and do not travel to the top.

http://www.wmonline.com/attract/trails/wbaldy.htm