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I am visiting the Phoenix area from San Antonio this weekend. I read the logs on white canyon and am committed...sounds great. I am looking for one more day hike within 60 miles of town. I have a HC vehicle but no 4x4. Any recommendations? Solitude and vistas are nice. Any help appreciated. Wonderful web site!!!

What area of Phoenix? East? West? Can't ever go wrong with the Superstitions, but if you happen to be in the west valley there are a plethora of other options that may even offer some more solitude.

If your high clearance vehicle is rear wheel drive you can tackle the road up to the Rogers Trail Head on the south side of the Superstitions and hike to the cliff dwelling in Rogers Canyon. The drive up forest road 172 and 172A is worth it all by itself.

In response to azpride:
I'm in the West Valley and would love to learn more about that plethora.

Nice... Check out the Hells Canyon Wilderness up near Lake Pleasant. There are a handful of maintained trails out there, but in order to really penetrate the wilderness, you'll need to go off-trail. Garfias Wash is a large wash that travels through the very middle of the wilderness from the east to west end. The two access points, as described on this website, are Spring Valley Trail on the east and Hell Canyon to the west. Cottonwood Creek is another route described on this site that will take you to the heart of the wilderness. Burro Flats Loop and Governors Peak are a couple others in the area that are described here. There is some private property scattered around, mostly to the north of Garfias Wash, and from what it looks like on the map, some of the most dramatic topography. Ah well.

The are some long loop hikes in the White Tanks that will get you away from the crowds. Connecting the Goat Camp and Ford Canyon trails is a full day. Hiking to the White Tanks Radio Summit is one of the best hikes in Phoenix, in my opinion.

Thanks for the tips. I'm looking into the radio tower hike. Sounds good as described on this site... the park site says the summit is off limits and patrolled by the law. Should I be concerned?

bperodeau wrote:Thanks for the tips. I'm looking into the radio tower hike. Sounds good as described on this site... the park site says the summit is off limits and patrolled by the law. Should I be concerned?

If you're talking about the radio towers on South Mountain I would say yes, don't risk it.

You could hike the road that goes up to the towers on SM but you shouldn't go into the area fenced off for the towers.

I'm pretty sure he's talking about the White Tanks radio towers. I wouldn't be concerned about it. I've done it and known of several who also have, just read all the triplogs. Those mountains have more to offer than it may seem at first... Did you know you're allowed to backpack in the White Tanks? Pretty cool.

You can still get pretty close to the towers, without going in the "fenced in" area. From the Buena Vista Loop hike I posted this picture ... http://hikearizona.com/phoZOOM.php?ZIP=77289

I'm looking to do a loop in the White Tanks. Mesquite/Willow Canyon/Ford Canyon. Have not been on Ford Canyon Trail yet. Better to go up Mesquite/Willow Canyon and come down Ford on the north end or go up Ford and come down Willow Canyon/Mesquite?

Outdoor Lover wrote:I'm looking to do a loop in the White Tanks. Mesquite/Willow Canyon/Ford Canyon. Have not been on Ford Canyon Trail yet. Better to go up Mesquite/Willow Canyon and come down Ford on the north end or go up Ford and come down Willow Canyon/Mesquite?

Going up Ford is really gradual. Going up Mesquite is a little more of a breather, in my opinion. If you plan to take Willow Canyon in either direction, you'll avoid that last chunk of elevation gain on Mesquite. Terrain wise, I would say take Ford up and Mesquite down.

Besides the law, avoid radio towers if you 1) want to have kids, and 2) are not wearing lead-lined underwear ... ;)

kingsnake wrote:Besides the law, avoid radio towers if you 1) want to have kids, and 2) are not wearing lead-lined underwear ... ;)

I've heard that, but know of people who seem fine, working in fire towers summer after summer, such as the one on Greens Peak in the White Mtns. However, I do agree, it probably isn't good for you. I am wondering if there have been any peer-reviewed studies on the subject, though? I don't have time to do a search right now.

Depends on what the antenna is doing, receiving or broadcasting signal. If it is broadcasting, the shorter the wave, the more likely to cause problems: e.g., there is a reason your microwave oven is shielded, and why you get a lead apron when the dentist xrays your teeth, both are very short waves ...

Ah. Interesting! I wish I were more of a science person. Didn't go down that path. Maybe later...

I used to be in radio, in the distant past.

How close is too close? I noticed a new warning sign just before the summit of Thompson Peak. Of course I ignored it. Don't need no more stinkin' kids!

One of my hikes takes me past the communication towers near the house (like right outside the fence...). Not planning on any junior-kopellis so never give it a second thought..

PLC92084 wrote: Not planning on any junior-kopellis so never give it a second thought..

I'm trying real hard to say someting nice........
I guess we won't have a PLC92084-2 then..