HikeArizona.COM

My boyfriend and I will be in Arizona for a week at the end of September. We know that we want to spend a day or two dayhiking in the Grand Canyon, but other than that I'm at a loss for directions to go in. My question is this: What trails would you recommend to people who have never been to Arizona and may never come back again? I'd like to come back to Chicago feeling like I experienced the beauty of Arizona (as much as you can in a week!). Both of us are healthy & in great shape (ok, *he* is in great shape, I can get into great shape by the end of September ). We've both done our share of hiking - we're thinking about camping or backpacking on this trip too but we'll see what time allows. I also do a lot of nature photography, and hope to get a few good shots out of the trip. Thanks!

(Note: The whole "may never come back again" part is hypothetical. I'm assuming that once I get bitten by the Arizona bug, I'll be infected for life.)

Hi Spirited, welcome to HAZ....

Good news is you will get bitten by the AZ bug...I was, I'm from Chicago, moved here 2 years ago because I got tired of making the drive from Ill each year to explore during my time off...


Bad news....a large majority of public land is at present closed to public use. Although the Grand Canyon has not been closed, most of the National Forests have severe restrictions. We are hurting right now for some relief from drought. There are pockets of areas open, however, they are seperated by large areas of land that is closed off to recreational use....

So, perhaps enjoy the Canyon for a bit longer? Sedona, which is beautiful even if you don't hike, has a few areas where hiking is still permitted...if you go here

http://www.hikearizona.com/haz2/viewtopic.php?t=285

Joe (webmaster) listed some trails that are open...you can find some of those trails listed in the traildex (click on the map, top left)

If you are heading toward Phoenix and the Valley, there are a number of county parks which are nothing like the parks back home...the smallest one here puts the Lincoln Park to shame. We are talking mountians! So if you can handle the heat, there are some options here.

Please let me know if you'd like more specific info...good luck!

spirited,

I would like to suggest Sedona,which is about 2-2.5 hours from the Grand Canyon.
The drive from the Grand Canyon will take you thru Flagstaff.The
drive from Flagstaff to Sedona[Hwy 89],IMO,is one of the most scenic in Az.

Here's a link to hikes in the Sedona area,type Sedona in the search prompt.

http://www.hikearizona.com/haz/multiDEX/srch.php

Hopefully,the summer monsoon's will eliminate the drought problem.

Regards,

Bill

Not doggin' ya Bill! Just wanted to offer a more comprehensive Sedona link

http://www.hikearizona.com/trails/HAZMAPSEDONA.php

Man if it doesn't rain before then I might be heading towards Chicago!

Hopefully by then things will open up. I have to agree with the Sedona/Oak Creek. It's a must for all visitors. A little off the subject; I am from the Chicago area also, River Forest to be exact. I'll be heading back there in October for an extended weekend. I haven't been there in 22 years. Never done any hiking there, any suggestion?

Cindy Coons wrote: Never done any hiking there, any suggestion?

Sure, you could walk the golf course at Oak Park Country Club...or stroll up to the starbucks...

Just north of River Forest is Bussey Woods (sp)....huge urban park. Lots of paved paths, big with casual bicyclists...there are some splinter trails and routes.

For anything comperable to out here, you are going to need to drive a ways out of town....let me know if you want any more suggestions...

Colin, Seems you know the area pretty well. Oak Park Country Club huh? My dad used to golf there. I will be there for 5 days around the 13th of Oct for the marathon so short hikes would be great. Whenever is convenient to you I'd appreciate it if you emailed any suggestons you have. Thanks, Cindy

spirited wrote:What trails would you recommend to people who have never been to Arizona and may never come back again?

Well, Colin spoke to your needs pretty well I think. Unfortunately - you just happen to have picked the wrong year. However, there is still hope.

I would suggest a quick trip out to Antelope Canyon - or some of the other slot canyons around the Lake Powel area. They are still open (as most of them are on Indian land), and are strikingly beautiful. Here is a website that can give you some more info:
http://www.blackrabbit.com/antelope.htm

Since the Grand Canyon is in the North of the state, you are actually close to a lot of very cool "canyon" hiking areas that are not too far away (but not necessarily in AZ). Consider a trip to Zion and Bryce canyon, Canyon de Chelly, Mesa Verde, Arches and the whole Canyonlands area of Utah. Most of those parks are still open despite the drought conditions.

Just modify the "Arizona" trip to become a "4 corners" trip.

Spirited--You can't go wrong with a trip to Havasupai Falls, in the Grand Canyon. (Outside of the GC National Park boundry). The scenery is breathtaking and there are facilities for those that don't want to pack down their camping equip. I've been 2 times. Once we camped and the last time we stayed at the lodge in Supai village. I won't go into all the details here becuase there are plenty of writings about the place elsewhere on the Net.

When we have freinds from back east, we suggest this hike to them. If you want more details of my Havasupai hikes or pics, I would gladly follow up with you.

Mark

Right on Mark - forgot about Havasupai. Great spot - a definite can't miss.

Keep in mind that no matter where you go and what you do while you're here, the weather in AZ in September is still very hot. Don't make too ambitious of an agenda. You might be surprised by the heat (and a little by the altitude compared with Chi-town). Take full advantage of this group at HAZ - ask get your agenda down then ask lots of questions to make all the proper preparations. We want to make sure you get the AZ bug - it's just common courtesy.

Well the plans have been made, and we'll be going to Havasupai from Tuesday to Friday of the week that we're there. We're also trying to fit in Sedona & a dayhike in the Grand Canyon in the beginning of the week. My cousin out in Phoenix & a friend of his are making the arrangements. (It pays to know people...) Thanks for all of your suggestions! If anyone has any tips about backpacking @ Havasupai I'd love to hear them.

OK here goes-- drink a quart of something at the trailhead.
Have gobs of water in your car.
Have dry clothes in your car.
Hike in the cool of the day.
Easy hike but pretty long.
Don't close your eyes when you see trash on the trail or you will be blind.
Bring your swimsuit and have a great trip.

Glad you're getting to make the trip to Havasupai, you'll love it!!

One very important tip (I've already cleared this with him), let your cousin carry all the heavy stuff!

Have a great visit!
Your Cousin's Friend,

Wow! Welcome to HAZ and AZ. You'll love it! Havasupai is awesome! It also helps to have a cooler with a block of ice it it at the top for your return,with something cool to drink! Also, don't miss the West Fork of Oak Creek,when in Sedone. Words are not enough to describe it!! Enjoy!! You'll be back!!

Just wanted to thank everyone again for your suggestions - we had an awesome time and can't wait to go back to AZ! We hiked West Fork on Sunday, & went about half a mile through the wet part of the trail. Cold, cold water! But after the initial pain it was actually quite soothing. Drove up to the Grand Canyon, camped on the rim overnight, then hiked South Kaibab in the morning to Skeleton Point and back. Beautiful beyond description. Drove to Havasupai, slept in the parking lot that night, then hiked in early Tuesday morning. My boyfriend and I agree that it's the most beautiful place we've ever been to. We did the hike to the Colorado River during our time there (didn't make it all the way to the river unfortunately... we were probably half an hour away when we turned around. We decided it wasn't worth hiking back home in the dark for). Probably my favorite hike of the whole week. If I get a chance I'll scan in some of my pictures from our trip. We were sad to leave but we'll be back in AZ in December to interview for residency, so we'll definitely make time to hit the trails then.

Sounds like you guys had a blast! Get Victor on the stick, he still hasn't downloaded the photos from his camera!