HikeArizona.COM

Anyone want to spill the beans on the closest hike/trail run that is noticeably cooler within an hour of Phoenix?

@hippiepunkpirate
If you are talking down below, there's a ton of parking at the Slate Creek TH.
Up top, you can't drive to the top. It's 1.6 miles RT from that parking area towards the top. http://hikearizona.com/gps=26377
I'm guessing it could handle 8 or more cars. If it was full for any reason, there are others off shoot roads towards the top that you should be able to park off

Maybe its just me but I wouldn't call Ord a cool weather hike. I've done it in summer before and the top couple miles may be pleasant, but the rest is hot and without a moment of shade. It might be tolerable on a really cloudy day-- but otherwise, you're gettin' baked.

I'd be happy to find a 2-hour drive from the Valley!

The Carr Lake-Military Sinkhole loop east of Payson is about 110 miles from my part of town (which has easy access to the Beeline Highway). That's pretty much how far you have to drive to get to cooler climes from Phx, in any direction. I love living here but have to admit this is the one complete and total disadvantage we have to life in Tucson! (The flip side is that we have superb urban hiking options when the weather does cool.)

@SpiderLegs
Mt. Ord from Slate is sweet Hike...I've even done it.... And it's definitely a runnable Hike if you're so inclined...It's an old Road for 3/4 of the way and is relatively smooth in most places and when you hit the new Road, it's super smooth for that....
@hippiepunkpirate
If you start from Slate Creek, I doubt you will have any trouble with Parking....Most people don't do that Hike. They drive the new Road in to the "TH" near the Top and just Hike the last 1 1/2 Miles....

And oops, I didn't read Page 2 of this Thread as these were already answered...Oh well, that's what I get for blowing through the Forum trying to catch up....

Thanks for the tips. Gives me a few places to train that are not 90 degrees at 5:00 AM and a reasonable driving distance from home.

Hmmm, closest 'cool weather' hike to Phoenix?

Wait until winter and the selection is endless. ;)

CannondaleKid wrote:Hmmm, closest 'cool weather' hike to Phoenix?

Wait until winter and the selection is endless. ;)

Can't wait until winter, trying to train for an event in October. So I can handle about 2 hour runs in Phoenix and then going up to Flagstaff at least once a month for longer 3-4 hour runs. But if I can't get to Flagstaff, need something that allows me 3 hours in tolerable temps.

SpiderLegs wrote:Can't wait until winter

Yeah, I hear ya.

While I'm not training for any particular event, just wanting to keep in shape I'll hike in whatever weather I have to deal with. I've survived many hikes in triple digits and will continue to do so.

If you get an early start, the Cave Creek Seven Springs area is over 3000' and has some shady spots. It's not cool, but it's not blisteringly hot, either (again, if you start early enough). Last month I did a 10+ mile hike in the new expansion of the MSP, starting at 6:30am and finishing by 10:30am. The temps never got over 100.

What about a canal bottom walk?
How strict are they on kayaking those?

Ord from Slate Ck is fine if you start before sunrise. Otherwise it will be warmer than you'd like.

Well if hiking before sunrise is part of the plan, then just about anything in Phoenix is tolerable, even in summer.

@chumley
I don't know, I've heard there's some sketchy areas around Piestewa Peak that I wouldn't want to be hiking at night.

:roll:

joe bartels wrote::roll:

He meant Paradise Valley, not the Phoenix neighborhoods.

To each his/her own. I have preferred to just deal with and enjoy the extreme heat since moving here a little over 3 years ago. Speaking of which, I have a new amazing water jug. Just fill it with ice cubes and top off with cold water, and amazingness happens as I'm active.

Great trails and beautiful wooded scenery up in Crown King. Once you're on the 17 off of the 101, the turn-off to it is 1/2 hour north. Take the 26 mile graded dirt road right up to the pines with a passenger car. Lots of old mining areas to explore, plenty of shade, and water in creeks even in the hot months. 6500' elevation in the pines even in August always works for my wife and I.