Arizona hiking

[audrey]

Has anyone spent time around Tucson? It sounds fabulous --- mountains to 10K, Saguaro National Park on the eastern edge of the Sonoran desert, canyons, colorful rocks, etc.

Thinking of an April trip. Are there any other Arizona areas outside of Flagstaff-Sedona and the Grand Canyon, of course, that will satisfy this craving for new and exotic wonders?

 

[RoySwkr]

Has anyone spent time around Tucson?
... Are there any other Arizona areas outside of Flagstaff-Sedona and the Grand Canyon, of course, that will satisfy this craving for new and exotic wonders?

Spent a week around Tucson last Feb, abnormally wet with snow high up.

If you're camping I can comment on campsites later.

I liked Organ Pipe Cactus but they have a problem with illegal migrants, the town museum in Ajo has a movie on copper mining and you can see a different movie at ASARCO S of Tucson. If you have an SUV you can drive up Harquahala Peak and explore back roads. Regular cars can drive to observatory SW of town.

Early April may still feature snow in Grand Canyon/4 corners area.

 

[blacklab2020]

I lived in Tucson for 4 years and did a lot of hiking/backcountry rock climbing, feel free to send me an email with what your looking for... trip duration, difficulty, whether trails are required, etc.

I would be more than glad to share my experiences.

My avatar is atop Baboquivari... Tucson you could spend weeks there and not do enough hiking. Cochise, Santa Theresas, Chiracauas (sp), mount wrightson. Sabino canyon and bear canyon trails were out due to flooding which was too bad. The desert museum is awesome. Oracle is a beautiful drive out near the biosphere, the rincons have some great hikes... there are lifetimes worth of rocks to climb and years worth of excellent hikes....

do i miss the place?...

 

[roadtripper]

I'm not too familiar with the Tuscon area myself, but there's plenty of stuff within a long day's drive..

White Sands NM - 317 miles
Guadalupe Mountains NP - 410 miles
Carlsbad Caverns - 456 miles

also, the new guidebook "Hiking Arizona" (falcon) lists a few trails within an hour or so of Tuscon that look interesting to me...

~ hunter trail to picacho peak (4 miles RT, 1370ft elevation gain)
~ finger rock trail (8.8 miles RT, 4150ft elevation gain)
~ West Fork Sabino Canyon (8.8 miles RT, 1000ft elevation gain)
~ Hugh Norris Trail (8.4 miles RT, 2000ft elevation gain)
~ Aravaipa Canyon (11-miles w/shuttle, 500ft elevation gain)
~ Ash Creek Falls (4.8 miles RT, 1380ft elevation gain)

 

[una_dogger]

I'd really love to get out and explore the Flag/Sedona area! I've read that the area comprises the largest contiguous coniferous forest in the US, just for starters. You'll have to find out the best of the West for us, Audrey!

 

[Kevin Rooney]

Audrey - I had the opportunity this past summer while climbing Humphrey (near Flagstaff) to share the trail with a couple from Tucson. They were long-time hikers, and spoke glowingly of the hiking opportunities in that area. Tuscon gets more rain than many parts of the SW according to them, so there's more vegetation. I'm sure you'll have a great time.

I don't have any personal hiking suggestions to pass on to you as my experience there has been as a tourist. Do be sure to see parts of the old town, especially the OK Corral. It's a bit hokey, but still interesting. In the total scheme of things, it didn't happen all that long ago.

 

[Willie]

To plan my Arizona hikes, I use the Arizona 20-20 website. Although that website is not actively maintained, it provides a nice "list" of peaks and canyons to explore and related information (e.g. trailhead location).

 

[Snowflea]

Are there any other Arizona areas outside of Flagstaff-Sedona and the Grand Canyon, of course, that will satisfy this craving for new and exotic wonders?

Yes, lots!

Just a little bit south of Tucson, check out the Santa Rita Mtns., near the towns of Sonoita and Patagonia. The Arizona Trail runs through this little range, and birdwatching is big. I ran a race there a couple of years ago and was impressed by the beauty of the area. Some good links on their website: www.oldpueblo50.com As with Organ Pipes, you will probably see frequent Border Patrol vehicles in this area!

In Tucson, the Catalinas can't be beat for convenience.

Many miles away, in the far northeastern corner of the state is one of the most beautiful places I've ever visited, Canyon de Chelly National Monument. Think of a blending of Zion and Mesa Verde National Parks. The monument is located on reservation land and, with the exception of one trail, an Indian guide is required for visits into the canyon. (The many overlooks from the rim were good enough for me.) Many impressive cliff dwellings!

If you're going in April, though, I'd stick to Tucson for the warmth factor.

 

[bobandgeri]

We had a trip planned last year to visit friends in Tucson that we had to cancel. If you go I am sure they would be glad to show you around. There are a lot of nice hikes in the area.

We also have a set of maps for the area that we could lend you.

 

[DougPaul]

Many miles away, in the far northeastern corner of the state is one of the most beautiful places I've ever visited, Canyon de Chelly National Monument. Think of a blending of Zion and Mesa Verde National Parks. The monument is located on reservation land and, with the exception of one trail, an Indian guide is required for visits into the canyon. (The many overlooks from the rim were good enough for me.) Many impressive cliff dwellings!

IMO, the hike to White House Ruin (the one trail that does not require a guide) is worthwhile. Fairly easy and you get to see things close up.

When I was there (~5 yrs ago), the South Rim Drive was in very good condition but the North Rim Drive was badly washboarded-doable in a low clearance car, but rough.

Doug

 

[woodstrider]

AZ hiking

Have you tried summitpost.com.

Great site for the international 411

 

[Rob S]

Alan (peakbagr) has family in Tuscon, so I'm sure he'll chime in with additional suggestions. He is very knowledgeable of the hiking ops in the area.

FWIW, if anyone (Sabrina?) is interested in lodging in Sedona, send me a PM or email for details. I'll give you an unbeatable rate!

Rob

 

[audrey]

Thanks so far!

I've been working my way through your suggestions and have found some great websites, trip reports, and even a book dedicated to hikes in the Tucson area. So I'm committing to taking the trip and even ordered 3 new wildflower books. Even though Baboquivari is beyond our abilities, that area looks astounding for scenery and plantlife that's new to me.

Someday we ought to organize a VFTT trip out West. Where else can you find such good hiking companions?

 

[Stan]

Someday we ought to organize a VFTT trip out West. Where else can you find such good hiking companions?

Banff?? Where's that webmeister when we need him?

Our next trip, by road will be a loop incorporating eastern New Mexico and Guadalupe and Big Bend National Parks in Texas, among others in the Appalachian Range.

 

[Trainwreck]

Hi Audrey:
Not exactly a hike, but we found Kartchner Caverns to be fascinating. A pristine cave system about 45 minutes from Tucson. Also, if you like stars and planets, the evening programs at Kitt peak are unforgettable. My kids saw Saturn for the first time. Awesome.!! As far as hiking: tons of it. Sabino Canyon is fun, they have a tram if you do not want to hoof it. A bit touristy, but worthwhile. Drive up to Mt. Lemmon for forest, drive to the Saguaro Nat'l Monument for desert views. This stuff is all close to Tucson. Arizona is large, and you want to be out there enjoying it, not driving. "The Guadalajara Grill" is a family favorite for authentic Mexican food.
Have fun!
Sandy

 

[Peakbagr]

Audrey,

Tucson is fabulous. Although a fairly large metro area, its ringed with rocky peaks all around. Makes it easy to navigate around the city by just noting a familiar moutain silhouette and driving towards it.

Mt Lemon has a road up it but trailheads all the way up in different climate zones.
SW Arizona is one to the top birding locations in the world.
The Rincons, Santa Ritas and more are ranges a short drive from downtown.
I believe I read that Tucson has 355 + days of sun a year. The rains referred to earlier are from what the locals call the 'monsoon season' which is a month or so around August. You get and hour or two of thunderstorms and then the sun is back out.
Average yearround humidity in Tucson is about 12 to 15%. Temps start rising in the Spring and in summer you can get days with the highs over 105 to 110 degrees. Folks start their exercise early as its often 80 degrees by 9am, but with the humidity so low I find it way more comfortable hiking at midday at 90 degrees up in the mountains more comfortable than a northeast day where its 75-80 degrees and humid.
Good idea to slather yourself with sunscreen(melanoma capital of the USA) and bring a wide brimmed hat.
The saguaro cacti that are all around are wonderful. There are also some great hiking maps and books for the mountains around Tucson.
If you want more info, don't hesitate to send me a PM.

Alan

 

[blacklab2020]

Old Pueblo Grill,
La Fuente are two excellent restaurants

Zacharys pizza near the U of A campus is excellent

You also must try all three standard flavors of Eegees...

There are plenty of great places to eat and stay in the foothills

Hikes in April,... Summits will still be cool.

Santa catalinas are great and mid mountain will have the best temps. The valleys will be getting warm at this point.

Same thing temperature wise with Mt. Wrightson... fav. summit in arizona second to baboquivari... you really feel like you are way up there with an 8000 ft elevation differential (the trail starts at 4-5 K)

Cochise stronghold is an EXOTIC place at a great elevation for that time of year.. I would recomend hiking in through the west stronghold. This is a two hour drive from tucson.

Babo is technical, and hard to access.

Kitt Peak Observatory is right up the ridge. Make sure to check for any meteor showers if you are out there... if you get out past the tucson mountains they are insane at night...

The santa catalinas are a great place with tons of hikes... Depending on where you go permits are required for parking on the mountain...

Monsoon season is the best time for sunsets IMO.

Wherever you go, check for peregrine falcon closures though. These are usually only pertinent to the outcroppings however.

Are you looking for places to stay as well.. hotels or camp?

Up towards phoenix is Queen creek and I definately recomend the drive up through oracle to queen creek...

Gotta run, but cant type fast enough.. .you have plenty of time too...

 

[audrey]

For lodging, I'll be looking for a house or condo - maybe in Oro Valley. I love the logistics of a non-stop to Phoenix and only a 2-hour drive to Tucson. Great to know about good restaurants.
More questions later...

 

[RoySwkr]

I believe I read that Tucson has 355 + days of sun a year. The rains referred to earlier are from what the locals call the 'monsoon season' which is a month or so around August. You get and hour or two of thunderstorms and then the sun is back out.

Don't believe everything you read in tourist brochures, we had something like 2 rainy days out of 7 in Feb with enough rain (snow higher up) that they suggested you might want to leave the campground in case the access road flooded

Pichaco Peak has rungs in the rock to climb, the longer trail isn't easier just more flat and they join at the rungs

 

[Kevin Rooney]

Audrey - If either of you are old airplane buffs, the military has a huge boneyard for old planes at Davis-Monthan AFB. I have no idea whether the public is permitted on the base, but know that lots of those planes are visible from outside the fence.