Good trail for beginners?

[mikess314]

I have started taking my wife and her friend on trails around the area On Friday afternoons. They are relative beginners, and I'm stuck trying to pick a new hike. I'm looking for something between 3 to 6 miles or so with an elevation gain of less than 1000 feet total. Closer to Phoenix is better. So far I've taken them on:

Pass Mountain - a bit too long for them but fun
Echo Canyon summit - Too steep, had to turn back at 3/4 marker
Hidden Valley vie Buena Vista - nearly perfect for them
Go John - Just a bit too much up and down

Anyone out there have hikes that they'd take their non-hiking pals on when they come to visit?

Mike

[hikeaz]

In response to mikess314's reply:

You might consider trying the "TrailDex" feature found in the drop-down list above under "hike indexes".
You can set the filters to "phoenix", "novice", "1-4 miles" and "0-1500 elevation gain". There are quite a few.
From each description you can glean specifics as to terrain, trail conditions and the like.

There is also a new guide book out called "60 Hikes within 60 miles of Phoenix". Most of the ones reviewed in the book are easy to moderate.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/089732 ... e&n=283155
Or "Best Easy Day Hikes - Phoenix"
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/089732 ... e&n=283155

[Trishness]

In response to mikess314's reply:

Hey Mike,

I have a couple of suggestions and they are all in the Supes so they are the East side. Jacobs Crosscut, Lost Goldmine, Hieroglyphic Canyon (short and sweet) and possibly Peralta. Second Water Trail through Garden Valley is also a nice trek for beginners.

Hope this helps.

:mrgreen:

[mikess314]

Thanks for your help. I never noticed the traildex before. Parker Pass it shall be. next week I'll yank them up Siphon Draw for kicks... likely in the shin.

[joebartels]

In response to mikess314's reply:There is also a new guide book out called "60 Hikes within 60 miles of Phoenix". Most of the ones reviewed in the book are easy to moderate.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/089732 ... e&n=283155

Check out Charles work on HAZ
Anybody in the market for a Phoenix area hiking book should buy it. The layout is well done, including a great overview map in the back.
He has book signings at REI.
April 4, 6:30 pm, REI Paradise Valley
April 5, 6:30 pm, REI Tempe

Another recent book with some fab beginner trails is
50 Hikes in Arizona
pgs 97 & 255 are without a doubt two of the most phenomenal pages I've ever read in my life
Seriously though, Martin has a very nice book. He writes a little more but in the same style as Ganci & Kiefer, it just lures you in. The maps are Stewart/Carlson quality.