HikeArizona.COM

OK, another teacher asked a question today that took some time to answer.

"What are your top 5 hikes in the state?"

Thought it might provide some interesting posts from HAZ members...

So what's your top five hikes (and if you'd like...why...in a few words)...

#1 Upper Woods Canyon - most unique untraveled terrain, took me a week to calm down afterwards
#2 Superstiton Ridgeline - most unique desert terrain
#3 Devils Canyon - Emrald Jewels of Desert!

many others but none as special as the above
190+ hikes rated on my profile, you can view the rest of the "Outstanding" hikes there


edit: 2010 moving forward... TOP 20 - look for the heart icon at the top of description pages and in traildex/find listings

Tough question! There's so many great hikes! I'll second Teva's nomination of the Superstition Ridgeline! Others...

South Kaibab/North Kaibab
Second Water/Boulder Canyon/Dutchman
Secret Canyon
West Fork beyond 3 miles

1. Grand Canyon Hiking. Bright Angel, Kaibab, and the Grandview trail to be more specific. No comments needed. (I haven’t been to the North Rim or Havasupi yet, but I’m sure I’d include them if I have)
2. Paria River/Buckskin Gulch. Technically most of this hike is in Utah, but the Paria River ends in Arizona so I think it still counts. If you haven’t been there you won’t understand… If you have, you do.
3. Aravipa Canyon. A smaller version of the grand canyon with a much easier hike to the bottom and back out. Lots of wildlife and very limited use.
4. Superstition Mountains, Siphon Draw to the Flatiron. Not the most scenic hike in the state, but probably the most entertaining for me and I can go from my doorstep to the trail head in less then half an hour.
5. Picket Post. Want a hike physically a little easier then the Flatiron, but incorporate more route finding and much less traffic?


Honorable Mentions:
Antelope Canyon. Only reason it’s not in the top 5 is because its not really a hike anymore because you’re not allowed to hike in too far, but truly a must see in person sight. As incredible as the pictures are, they do it no justice.
West Fork. Crowds is the only downfall.
My secret place (SHHH!). Looking at pictures of Devil’s Canyon, my secret place is very similar, but much easier to get to. Less then an hour drive and a 20 minute hike. Waterfalls, deep pools, natural diving boards, even a small beach…

There are several on my list to do that could break into the top 5, including Devil’s Canyon, North Rim, Havasupi...

Howzabout 6...

Paria
Rainbow Bridge from south of Navajo Mtn
Mazatzal Crest Trail (FS23)
Chiricahua Crest from Rustler Park to Rucker Lake
Mt. Humphries Summit
Baldy Summit (if you sneak up to the top...for the view)

-Randy

Randy wrote:Baldy Summit (if you sneak up to the top...for the view)

Randy, what the hell you doin' sneakin' up to the top of my head????

my five:
South Kaibab
Bright Angel
West Fork
Hermit trail to Dripping Springs
North Kaibab to Ribbon Falls

I'm sure some of these will move down on my list of favorites as I do more in the Supes this fall and winter; and, based on everything, I've heard havasupai will be right up there as soon as I do it.

evenstarx3 wrote:Hermit trail to Dripping Springs

Hooli we gotta talk, that's on the bottom of my list.
Wait-a-minute that almost sounded like an invitation for an e-mail from Hooli. Scratch that thought!

I believe the questioneer should offer their thoughts... whistle c whistle k whistle ONE!

BTW... http://hikearizona.com/dex2/viewtopic.php?t=278

What a subjective list! This depends so much on the clarity of the air that day, weather and a number of other factors. However that being said:
Echo Peaks across from Lee's Ferry
Redfield Canyon in the Gauliero mts.
Wet Beaver Creek from the source on down.
Cathedral wash near Lee's Ferry
Tonto Creek from Bear Flat on down to Hell's Gate

teva wrote:Wait-a-minute that almost sounded like an invitation for an e-mail from Hooli. Scratch that thought!

OK, OK, I won't e-mail ya.



:idea: PM on the way

Ok, my take:

Wet Beaver Canyon top to bottom
Tonto Trail in GCNP
Highline Natl Recreation Trail
Paria Canyon via Buckskin Gulch
Kachina-Weatherford-Humphries loop

North Bass
Deer Creek-Tapeats Creek
West Fork down from the top
Red Canyon
Phantom Creek

I could go on. I like to hike up and down. I like to hike to water. I like to bring a novel and read and eat junky food by most any creek.

#1 - Clear Creek - Grand Canyon - Physically challenging - 2 days in and 2 day out.
#2 - Finger Rock - Santa Catalinas - Tucson - 5 miles uphill one way - 5000' elevation gain from trailhead to top - 10 miles round trip. I did it in 6 hours. Not for the novice hiker.

I could take the easy way out and say my top five hikes are the next 5 I have planned, but that'd be lame...so...in no particular order


Dactite Super Loop - it's what I think Desert hiking is all about...little bit of scrambling, some exploring, some route finding, excellent views...Sups hiking at (one of) its best

Humprey's Peak - this hike is Backpacker/Outside worthy, aside from the stats, the views are stunning and the terrain itself, going from open field to wooded forest to above tree line...a whole new level of hiking

Parsons Trail - because it's not as busy as west fork, but still packs the Sedona punch.

Kaibab/Bright Angel - because its Grand Canyon and because they are classics.

Salome - because I haven't gotten to the other great canyons (beside Grand) yet, and the slickrock along with the pools makes it a great way to spend the day.

My philosophy is that it is just fun to hike, ride, and camp. To be able to escape and have life simple is what is enjoyable to me. So again the last five places I've gone to were the 5 best!

1. The Black Range Wilderness in NM (Aldo Leopold Wilderness) on the eastern side of the Gila Wilderness is remote, wild, and untouched as of recent. It is amazing because of its historical mining past, and still retains a lot of that past. My recent jumping off point was the ghost town of Hermosa.

2. Indian Creek in the Apache Kid Wilderness in NM. Beautiful remote 1000 foot red rim rock cliffs, fall colors from Rockyn Mtn. maples and Aspen, box canyons, and a year round stream.

3. Vallecito creek in the Wemienuche Wilderness of SW Colo. All the grandeur of the Rocky Mtns with very accessible 13,000 foot passes.

4. Tortillita Canyon in the White Mtn Wilderness of NM. A place so gentle and serene it feels like home. Abundance of wild life - bears, elk, turkey, cougar, and mule deer.

5. The South San Juan Wilderness around Antonito, Colo. !2.000 foot flat top mountain with an incredible amount of lakes and excellent fishing.

If you can't be at the place you love, then love the place your at. Adapted from Steven Stills.

Welcome Maw: Your post explains part of why I love New Mexico. No crowds, the wilderness areas are great, and lotsa history. I've never hiked the Leopold but have spent lots of time in the Gila. Dry Creek west of Apache Cabin is one of the great places...

One of my all time favorites was a loop from Cowles Trailhead to Truchas Peak, east and south to Beatty's Cabin and out, in the Pecos Wilderness. Awesome in Fall....

Since the New Mexico Highway Department conspired to put all the major roads in ugly locations, most of the world thinks New Mexico is just west El Paso. Good for us....

Y'know, J. Frank Dobie said that the Apache Kid wasn't done in over in New Mexico, but by the Yaquis. He also said that the body in Bill Bonney's grave is really a box of rocks....I've always wanted to hike in the Apache Kid Wilderness, Now you've tweaked me. :idea: -Randy

Daryl wrote:Superstition Mountains, Siphon Draw to the Flatiron.... I can go from my doorstep to the trail head in less then half an hour.

Sure! Rub it in!

Oh my god, mary here you are again...
my favorite hikes? the one i am on. Thousand pockets rates right up there. Any grand Canyon hike. Any hike that millions haven't done yet. Any hike. Any hike.

Second the West Fork past 3 miles and Tonto from Bear Flats to Hellsgate, Casner canyon, Baboquvari, West Clear Creek upper to lower.

My last hike, and the one before that one, then the one before that one......

Basically any hike where I'm not downwind of Hoolie.

Jeez, Hoolie, what did you do to poor Olesma to rate these repeated tributes to your flatulatory prowess? It must have been a good 'un.