HikeArizona.COM

had me thinking about this today.

You can't list the Grand Canyon, which while I find absolutely otherworldly, amazing etc, I personally don't find it 'beautiful' per se, what trail or general area do you think is the absolute most beautiful in Arizona?

A couple of past threads on similar topics (you may recognize one of them):
viewtopic.php?t=4952
viewtopic.php?t=7573
viewtopic.php?t=9257

As others may have stated in the previous threads, different trails and areas are preferred at different times, seasons, moods, etc. That's one of the great things about Arizona. Only California is a more diverse state. Lots to enjoy here in the Aye Zee.

chumley wrote:A couple of past threads on similar topics (you may recognize one of them):
viewtopic.php?t=4952
viewtopic.php?t=7573
viewtopic.php?t=9257

As others may have stated in the previous threads, different trails and areas are preferred at different times, seasons, moods, etc. That's one of the great things about Arizona. Only California is a more diverse state. Lots to enjoy here in the Aye Zee.

chumley wrote:A couple of past threads on similar topics (you may recognize one of them):
viewtopic.php?t=4952
viewtopic.php?t=7573
viewtopic.php?t=9257

As others may have stated in the previous threads, different trails and areas are preferred at different times, seasons, moods, etc. That's one of the great things about Arizona. Only California is a more diverse state. Lots to enjoy here in the Aye Zee.

I won't ask any more questions, I'll just continue to do my own thing, I suppose. I just thought maybe a break of discussing whether fires were intentionally set or debating the barometric pressure in Safford or the snowpack in Bigfoot reproduction juice holder, WA would be cool, but I guess not.

JasonCleghorn wrote:can't list the Grand Canyon, which while I find absolutely otherworldly, amazing etc, I personally don't find it 'beautiful'

Hippy wrote:

JasonCleghorn wrote:can't list the Grand Canyon, which while I find absolutely otherworldly, amazing etc, I personally don't find it 'beautiful'

@Hippy I agree with @Chumley that beauty is obviously relative to personal preference. For example, while I can see the majesty/wonder/appreciation etc. of say White Sands, I personally don't think that it's beautiful.

Since I'm from the South, I'm predisposed to equating beauty with trees and flowers. For me.

Seeing their Alpine pictures just triggered me to ask what others think.

And FWIW, I'm totally not one of those 'the desert is ugly people'. I LOVE the smell of it, the hardiness of the plant life and the amazing diversity of the Sonoran!

@JasonCleghorn
I obvisously find a tremendous amount of beauty in Arizona, from the bottom of the Canyon to its high alpine environments. However, I discovered last summer that nothing in AZ holds a candle to the Sierra Nevada, in particular, the JMT...I hope I have a similar impression after the CT this summer...Nevertheless, AZ is where I live and I hope there is never a time when I don't find beauty, tranquility and adventure in the places I roam...

friendofThundergod wrote:@JasonCleghorn
I obvisously find a tremendous amount of beauty in Arizona, from the bottom of the Canyon to its high alpine environments. However, I discovered last summer that nothing in AZ holds a candle to the Sierra Nevada, in particular, the JMT...I hope I have a similar impression after the CT this summer...Nevertheless, AZ is where I live and I hope there is never a time when I don't find beauty, tranquility and adventure in the places I roam...

Oh, I totally do, I was honestly just looking for trip ideas... And seeing yall's pictures from last weekend were just beautiful, I know I would like that area...

JasonCleghorn wrote:Since I'm from the South, I'm predisposed to equating beauty with trees and flowers.

You'd probably enjoy some of the high-elevation hikes in the White Mountains. East and West Baldy and the Crossover are nice. Especially the lower portions along the creeks. Paved road access too.

If you haven't driven to the top of Mt Graham, put that on your list. Also paved until you get to the top, and then pretty nice dirt all the way to Riggs Lake. Drop down into Ash Creek for water, or climb Webb or Heliograph for views.

Lots of green grass and shaded canopy.

@JasonCleghorn Since you have previously expressed an interest in pines and water, I found a thread from a while back with some of the best creekside hikes. Some replies are lower elevation creeks that won't have pines though.
viewtopic.php?f=18&t=5084

chumley wrote:

JasonCleghorn wrote:Since I'm from the South, I'm predisposed to equating beauty with trees and flowers.

You'd probably enjoy some of the high-elevation hikes in the White Mountains. East and West Baldy and the Crossover are nice. Especially the lower portions along the creeks. Paved road access too.

If you haven't driven to the top of Mt Graham, put that on your list. Also paved until you get to the top, and then pretty nice dirt all the way to Riggs Lake. Drop down into Ash Creek for water, or climb Webb or Heliograph for views.

Lots of green grass and shaded canopy.

Thanks @chumley