favorite az hike

[postyles]

Just curious.............what everyones favorite hike in AZ is? Mine is probably Humphreys summit trail but could also be picacho.

[Jim]

I suppose for me, my favorite hike is the Elden Lookout Trail # 4. That's a funny thing because I do it a lot, and I love the exercise potential of the hike, but in the last year I started to hate the destination. I wouldn't drive to Flagstaff to hike Elden specifically, but it's great while here. I once told Joe that if he's in town he might want to try it, but not to drive here just to do it, and that is something I would tell anyone since there are more interesting, scenic, and less crowded trails with better destinations in the state.

If going by the number of times I've done something, Elden is my favorite, and Humphrey is a second, but I tend to do that off trail so the Summit Trail doesn't count. Especially since I don't really like the Humphrey Trail below 11,000'. The same goes for the off trail winter route. I like it, but it's no favorite. I just like being above treeline on the volcano in winter. Even if the view never changes, it's a hell of a view when the air is clear and you can see for 200 miles.

[juliachaos]

So far I'd have to say I really liked the Geronimo Head hike. There's just something about getting off trail that appeals to me. Maybe it's the endorphins erasing all memory of the prickliness of the trail, but I love stuff like that. For trail hikes, either Flat Iron or Bear Mountain so far. Both very different, but equally worth the effort.

[PrestonSands]

Spending a night in Del Shay Basin could be interesting... Eric

I'll go if you go

[Nan]

I'm partial to the South Kaibab - Tonto - Bright Angel loop, especially in April/May when the Tonto platform comes to life. Drops you down into the Canyon for a nice long stroll w/o feeling rushed & still leaves me time for a hot shower & dinner with drinks at the top! I could do w/o the epic pools of mule piss on the BA, though.

Hikes I do most frequently: probably Peralta and Black Mesa Loop. One I really want to do again? Clear Creek from Phantom - the views of the River from that side are mythical.

[ssk44]

I'll go if you go

Ha! Your on your own man... Bring lots of ammo...

;)

[chumley]

I still haven't even completed the whole thing but I was reminded that Crest Trail 103 is definitely in contention.

[DixieFlyer]

Outside of the Grand Canyon, my favorite would be the East Baldy Trail/West Baldy Trail Loop...but Mount Wrightson, Wilson Mountain in Sedona, and the Superstition Ridgeline aren't too far behind

[azbackpackr]

I'll never tell...

[chumley]

I'll never tell...

Never!? Are you sure?

I have favorites...I were going to pick one, maybe the Pacific Crest, because it goes through all kinds of country...
...as for a short trail, I have my memories of Fish Creek Trail #60... it was my favorite trail.

In Grand Canyon:
Bright Angel-Tonto-Hermit
Hermit
South Bass (req 4WD)

My other favorite is to hike for days and days along the Black River in the White Mountains near Hannagan Meadow, but that is in summer only. May is too early for it.

[azbackpackr]

@chumley
Well, but Fish Creek near Hannagan Meadow will never be the same, and who hasn't heard of the PCT?

[azbackpackr]

@chumley
Well, but Fish Creek near Hannagan Meadow will never be the same, and who hasn't heard of the PCT. Not in AZ, anyway.

Yeah, the Black River. You can tell people about it, but most of them won't go there.

[chumley]

@azbackpackr
I was just chuckling to myself because you have almost 8,000 forum posts (I think you're #1 for the those stat watchers keeping track at home!) and over the years, you've made quite a few declarations of your favorites. (I agree completely that the loss of Fish Creek was one of the worst effects of the Wallow Fire).

[azbackpackr]

@chumley
Yes. I have plans to go back when I'm 80.

[Boulder119]

Superstition Ridgeline starting at flatiron no contest