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So, as summer draws near and the daytime highs creep ever further into the 100s, I find myself in need of nearby places where the temps aren't too terrible (say, highs in the 80s) to sate my hiking urges. Preferably within 100 miles of central phoenix -- I'd like to not have to drive to flag or wherever (that's where 2+ day trips come in) if all I'll be doing is hiking for half a dozen hours.

Anyone have any favorite summer spots they'd be willing to share?

My previous attempt at posting didn't work. Look at anything off of FR 201 in the Mazatzals (Davey Gowan, upper Deer Creek/South Fork, etc.) or the Pinals south of Globe. You could also check out the hikes near Prescott like Groom Creek loop or something on top of Mingus Mountain

Highs in the 80s is going to be hard to find, even in and around Payson.... maybe Four Peaks?

Your best bet is just get up early or hike at night to beat the heat.

Highs in the Catalina's and Santa Rita's are in the 80's.. tops ;)

could always go out around Pinal Peak, SW of Globe...Sixshooter's TH is at 7,500 feet...Pineline to Signal Peak gets you up to 8,000...

JamesLyding wrote: Look at anything off of FR 201 in the Mazatzals (Davey Gowan, upper Deer Creek/South Fork, etc.)

Forget these above (Jim is trying to get you lost!! ).. Here is the best bet at the end of FR201 at the Mt. Peeley TH, the Mt. Peeley Summit Hike: http://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=479 This one will get you above 7000' at the summit! (I don't recommend you drive a sedan in on FR201, but most anything else should be OK as long as this very scenic FR is dry).

If you go, start way earlier than 10am. I nearly passed out from the heat up there on June 1st last year
http://hikearizona.com/TLOGS_JUMP.php?ID=37558

For refreshingly cooler in the summer it's going to be at least a 3 hour drive from Phoenix. You can get to noticeably cooler in 2 hours but it's just not the same IMO.

I'm not trying to get you lost, but Hank is right that the Davey Gowan- and the upper portions of Deer Creek/South Fork trails are pretty bad.

Drive to camp verde and hike one of the creeks. It'll still be hot as hell, but you'll be in nice cool water.

Big Bug Mesa area will give you some pine trees and is a quick drive from the north valley. Check out Grapevine Springs or Little Wolf Creek. Not highs in the 80's but at least pines.

Grasshopper wrote:

JamesLyding wrote: Look at anything off of FR 201 in the Mazatzals (Davey Gowan, upper Deer Creek/South Fork, etc.)

Forget these above (Jim is trying to get you lost!! ).. Here is the best bet at the end of FR201 at the Mt. Peeley TH, the Mt. Peeley Summit Hike: http://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=479 This one will get you above 7000' at the summit! (I don't recommend you drive a sedan in on FR201, but most anything else should be OK as long as this very scenic FR is dry).

As long at it is DRY! is the operative statement here. Some of that road turns to a layer of gumbo in any kind of moisture.

Sredfield wrote:As long at it is DRY! is the operative statement here. Some of that road turns to a layer of gumbo in any kind of moisture.

;) ..very true! I remember that you did need a "tow" here recently and back in Feb'07 I managed to get four of us in a Honda CR-V stuck in the snow for 2.hrs (~8mls in at 4800') on this FR201..

Yeah even here in Payson we get to the 100s in June and July before the monsoon hits. The thing is it cools down at night. It will be in the high 50-60s. So if you are out in the early morning not too bad. Right now at noon it is 88 degrees..

Ah, that sounds fairly mild, actually. I'll probably do something there tomorrow morning, or perhaps at one of the other places suggested in this thread.

I'm typically up fairly early (~5ish), though I can easily wake up earlier if need there be, so I guess for <4 hour hikes it won't be too hard to beat the heat.

And I've been stuck on FR201 too! I went up there over in my prius (the quintessential ATV, right?) when it was snowed and iced for a backpacking trip and had to dig my car out half a dozen times (we kept trying at the behest of my backpacking partner, who didn't want to walk to the th). Finally, we managed to get ourselves in such a rut, with part of the car almost hanging off the edge and us sliding ever closer off the cliff with every attempt at freedom, that we just parked it off the side of the road in a pullout area of sorts and began walking, haha (after being towed to safety by some helpful stranger, that is)