East coast hikers looking for 1 day long hike in Tucson area

[kskilskyj]

We'll be in town for a few days and have 1 full day to get out on the trails. Looking for a day long hike that is difficult, has little traffic, and has killer views.

We're experienced east coast backpackers/hikers. Have also climbed/hiked/backpacked quite a bit in CO and MT.

We'll be in the Tucson area in late September.

Any recommendations? So many great hikes listed on the site, it's difficult to narrow it done.

Thanks,
Kevin

[imike]

Your toes will hurt no matter what shoes you wear after the descent

well, that leaves the barefoot option... guarantees you would not notice your toe pain.

I did use to use flip flops, then later, sandals on that trail to make it easier on my toes... but that was with a great amount of practice... not suggested in general.

[Jeffshadows]

Poles go a long way toward alleviating that issue, in general.

[imike]

Poles go a long way toward alleviating that issue, in general.

I noticed that over on Whitney every hiker on the hill was using trekking poles... and it seemed really to be slowing them all down. The trail was really too smooth and well developed to justify their use, yet it seemed that everyone was intimidated by the thought more than the reality. We were the only hikers that day lacking poles, and i think we had an easier time of it. On a truly steep slope, poles are great and make sense. I never thought about them for their toe protection... have to consider that. Thanks.

[JimmyLyding]

I have a Sherlock hiking staff that splits into 2 pieces. It stays in my pack on the way up, and I use it on the way down. Seems to work just fine. Plus it doubles as a monopod. No use for trekking poles

[azbackpackr]

Poles go a long way toward alleviating that issue, in general.

Uh, oh. Here we go again with the poles debate!

Are they trekking poles or hiking poles? Do I use one or two or none? Is "trekking" a term used only by rich yuppie dilettantes or is it a legitimate word that can be used with a straight face on a real hiker's forum such as HAZ, without embarrassment and without enciting a bunch of good-natured harrassment?

Dang, how I hate that word, "trekking!"

Ok, let it fly!

Oh, topic topic topic. Ok, East Coast people. I like that trail, Finger Rock. I have always done it without the hiking poles. When starting down it, I simply lace my boots up very tight.

And to you AZ people, just FYI, some of the trails back East are VERY steep! So I expect these folks know the meaning of steep!

[dysfunction]

Donno, don't care.. it was all called trekking when I was in Europe anyway

[azbackpackr]

Bingo. Used in Europe. Not in the West.

[BobP]

I lived on the East Coast for 30 years. Hiked a lot in CT,VT,NH,ME. Once hiking in CT(I was 16), I saw a sign that said welcome to Rhode Island and knew I made a wrong turn somewhere. Still trying to figure that one out. Luckily, I was able to backtrack and follow my footprints in the snow, and it hadn't snowed since I made those prints . I was only about 5 miles off course but I was a little . I made it back to base camp and never told a soul :whistle: . I slept well that night.

Up and down Mt Lemmon from Catalina ;) ...Take the advice from Tucsonians...they know what they're talking about.

[azbackpackr]

Yeah, wouldn't want to get stuck somewhere in Rhode Island! (As I recall from a few visits to the east coast, Rhode Islanders are the butt of many jokes--similar to Polack jokes.)

[Jeffshadows]

Off-topic: I think the term "Trekking" has a legitimate place in the common American hiking lexicon. Most of the people that keep Summit Hut in business down here are legit "Trekkers." You've all seen them; they have pristine, pastel-colored North Face outfits that match from head-to-toe, huge cameras in bad light, and they are on the flattest parts of most all trails and refuse to yield the trail to you on ascent because "They were there first and you might be messing up their shot" by your presence, or their "Messing up their wilderness experience" by your smell, general appearance, and audacity to actually hike faster than 0.00000265MPH.

Not to be confused with coeds bearing Starbucks cups, the "Trekker" is usually in his or her thirties or forties.

[dysfunction]

You see Jeff, those people are the reason for a well timed snot-rocket.

[Jeffshadows]

[azbackpackr]

they have pristine, pastel-colored North Face outfits that match from head-to-toe.

Ahh, someone who understands!

What's a co-ed? Can it be a male? (That's another word I just don't use! We are getting into some serious semantical issues here! ;) ) I'm willing to cut younger people a little slack, they may not have learned yet...

[dysfunction]

Bingo. Used in Europe. Not in the West.

To be honest, I've lived in so many places I've gotten to the point where I really don't care what anyone calls anything.. it's all so regional anyway, there is no correct terminology, period ;)

Then again, I really don't care too much what kit people use, what they wear, or how it looks. Just as long as it works for them and they don't.. and here's what I do care about.. act without any regard for others.

[Jeffshadows]

they have pristine, pastel-colored North Face outfits that match from head-to-toe.

Ahh, someone who understands!

What's a co-ed? Can it be a male? (That's another word I just don't use! We are getting into some serious semantical issues here! ;) ) I'm willing to cut younger people a little slack, they may not have learned yet...

Co-ed (or coed) is the shortened adjectival form of "coeducation", and the word co-ed is sometimes also used, in the United States, as a noun to refer to a female student at a coeducational college or university.

[kskilskyj]

Thanks for all the advice so far. Let me try to pull it back on topic here for a minute.

We've narrowed it down to one of the Kimball hikes or Rincon Peak.

How would you compare the Kimball hike to Rincon Peak in terms of traffic, scenery, and difficulty.

We're looking traffic, and maximize scenery and difficulty.

Thanks,
Kevin

[imike]

Thanks for all the advice so far. Let me try to pull it back on topic here for a minute.

We've narrowed it down to one of the Kimball hikes or Rincon Peak.

How would you compare the Kimball hike to Rincon Peak in terms of traffic, scenery, and difficulty.

We're looking traffic, and maximize scenery and difficulty.

Thanks,
Kevin

The best workout is Kimball... finger rock trail offers exceptional variety and diversity, and the peak is something... it is a great workout, averaging over 1000' per mile after the easy beginning. Weekend there will be people in the lower sections... start early and even miss them.

[azbackpackr]

Rincon is more awesome, though. A bit wilder, less trammeled--likely to see no one at all. Much, much longer hike.

Can your renta wreck make it to the Rincon trailhead, though? I haven't been there in awhile. Last time I was there it was 4WD only. Or at least, high clearance. It's been a long time, so someone else will know the latest on that one.

[Jeffshadows]

A car can get to Miller Creek trail head but it's at least 2 hours from town each way (Plus some change, probably.) Rincon Peak is more difficult, but you will probably get more scenery with Kimball. Rincon is an ascent up the back side of the Rincon Mountains until it reaches a small pine-clad section at Happy Valley. Then it's a relentless ascent up the peak from the saddle through the trees. The only views to be had are at the peak. Kimball provides views in and out most of the way up Finger Rock trail. There will be small clusters of people at either hike, especially on a weekend. You are more likely to encounter slower-moving backpackers at Rincon and small groups for the first 1 to 1.5 miles of Finger Rock. The crowd (If there is one) on Finger will dissipate completely after Linda Vista.

One other thing to note: Happy Valley (Where the Miller trail head is located) has become the one of the new favorite trashing grounds for the Mad Max crowd. You will absolutely encounter ATVers and probably encounter people shooting at random stuff and drinking; especially if you are going on a weekend and are going to be out there for that long. Just be forewarned. ;)

[azbackpackr]

Reminds me of what an old guy from So. Az. Hiking Club said to me a couple years ago: "The good things about Tucson are not getting better, and the bad things about it are getting worse."