Most Challenging Day Hikes

[madhiker]

Hi,

I'm what you'd call a hard-core day hiker. The harder the hike is the better, but I still want to be done in one day. By harder, I mean lots of elevation (both gain and absolute height), not necessarily length of hike or technical climbing. One of my favorite hikes of all time is Pikes Peak (Barr Trail) where you gain over 7,400 ft in 13 miles.

So my question to the group is: what is the most challenging day hike you've ever done? What are some challenging day hike in AZ?

Happy Trails!
Charles

PS: My vote for the most challenging day hike in AZ is the Grand Canyon Rim to Rim (23 miles, 6,000 elevation gain going south to north).

[astecker]

One of the more difficult day hikes in the phoenix area would definitely be Thompson's peak in the mcdowell mtns. There is about a 3 mile hike to the base of the mountain, then a 2 mile hike up the mountain, virtually no switchbacks. There is a partially paved trail that leads almost straight up the mountain, and as fit as I am this is still a tough climb. It's a great workout, and an awesome view from the top. I'm not sure the elevation gain, but I think it's on this website.

[rowjimmy76]

Kings Peak, Utah state highpoint, 30 miles, one day. That's my choice for the toughest day hike I've ever done.

2nd choice: the last day of a 10 day backpacking trip from Lake Tahoe to Yosemite Valley (206 miles). Walked from southern Matterhorn Canyon in Yosemite to Yosemite Valley--27 miles, give or take--and a California heat wave.

Barr Trail was pretty easy as a day hike I thought... Mount Whitney though it is shorter at 21 miles R/T was harder due to snow and ice even in August during the summer of 1998.

Any of the Wasatch Front major skyline peaks are dayhike challenges.

As far as Arizona, I have more limited experience. But, so far, the toughest dayhike I've encountered was Mica Mountain from Douglas Spring TH ~24 miles ~6,000 feet of gain. I have no doubt there are more difficult day hikes out there.

Anything off-trail seems to double the mileage physically, so adjust accordingly I'd say. If you are looking for some ridiculously tough day hikes, check out Scott Warren's guide for Arizona's wild areas. Many of the wilderness areas are trailless and my experience so far suggests that even a "short" 8-10 mile R/T in a trailless area can be nearly as tough as the 25-30 mile days I've had.

[Davis2001r6]

So far my most challenging day hike was in the Grand Canyon. Went down Bright Angel trail to Phantom Ranch came up via S. Kaibab trail. It was early september and was 105 out. That was my first major hike I've done, any before that was Camelback or Piestewa peak. This summer I want to hike Mt. Whitney and Do I rim-rim-rim in the GC, from the south to the north and back. It will be about 45 miles. probably will take about a day and half.