Can you recommend some good hikes in and around the Phoenix area?

2porscheguy · 2porscheguy's Garage

Well usually this time of year I'm in AZ or Palm Springs with some buddies on a golf get-away but one of the guys had to bail out so this time it's just me and the mrs. ....So no golfing this time!

We'll be checking out some properties and doing some hikes. Can I get some recommendations on some good hikes that we should do? We'll be down there for 5 days.

Thanks!

Alex

Dantilla · 11-09-2012, 02:15 PM

Is the Sedona area too far away? Lotsa gorgeous trails around there, if you don't mind all the kooky people.

2porscheguy · 2porscheguy's Garage

Dantilla, we were in Sedona 3 years ago and just loved it!...fantastic hikes!...beautiful landscapes! I hate to just say BTDT 'cause I'd go back in a heart beat but, yes, a little too far this time.

Thanks for the suggestion though!

Alex

tweezers74 · 11-09-2012, 02:50 PM

What area are you gonna be in?

2porscheguy · 2porscheguy's Garage

Tweeze, we'll be in and around Casa Grande to visit a buddy and then checking out Trilogy at Vistancia. So far we've got Lake Pleasant and area to check out. What else can you suggest?
BTW, where does "The Tweeze" come from?

Thanks in advance!

Alex

Eric Coffey · 11-11-2012, 09:42 AM

Well there are the popular/common areas like Camelback Mtn, Piestewa Peak (Squaw Peak), Pinnacle Peak, South Mtn, etc. (google "seven summits" in Phoenix for a few other popular routes). For trails closer to Lake Pleasant there are some near the Cibola Vista resort, (Westwing Mtn) and a decent little trail system off of 67th Ave/Deer Valley RD (Thunderbird Park) and 83rd Ave/Happy Valley RD (Sunrise Mtn).

The city .gov website has some good info as well: Official Site of the City of Phoenix - Trails and Desert Preserves

Regarding Vistancia, it is a great area (FYI: Trilogy is the 55+ community in Vistancia). If golf is your thing, the public course @ Trilogy is excellent, as is the private one (Blackstone) if you can stomach/justify the membership costs. You definitely pay a premium to live in Trilogy (fairly steep HOA fees), but that is going to be the case with most master-planned golf course communities.

I am farily close by, so PM me if you want to grab a beer and/or have any questions about the area.

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

Check out Cowboy Way Adventures. They do horseback tours in the desert near Wickenburg. We did it on Xmas Eve last year and it was so awesome. Weather is perfect for that now. One of these days I'm gonna get out to Lost Dutchman in Apache Junction to poke around. If you're up for real adventure, rent a quad and go out to the Coke Ovens. But you need a guide/escort to do that safely.

Laneco · 11-11-2012, 02:23 PM

When I work in Phoenix, I usually stay in Mesa. I like to ride and hike in Apache Junction. I cannot remember the name of the road that I usually take, but it's apache junction - then head to the hills. Quite a few places to park that are near houses, etc (pretty safe for a rental car). Trails go everywhere. They are shared use equestion, bike, etc trails. Some little hills, nice rocks, good views of Phoenix. If time permits, head to the Superstitions. I haven't done any riding/hiking there yet, but that would be my "to do" list if I had more time.

The great part about Apache Junction is that it's just a few minutes from the hotels in Mesa. So I can get done with work and go play for a while outside.

angela

LeeH · 11-11-2012, 07:11 PM

I live near the base of South Mountain. It's the mountain with the antennas you see off the the left as you're driving on I-10 west toward Phoenix (West of I-10 and Pecos Rd. exit).

Telegraph pass is a relatively easy hike up to the top of South Mountain where you get a nice view of down town Phoenix. From there you can head off in a variety of directions in the park. This map is centered on the trailhead. The gray lines are the trails.

My neighborhood from South Mountain:

Joeaksa · 11-12-2012, 07:02 AM

Eric and Rick are spot on. All of the places they mentioned are very nice.

Let us know when you are coming and we can have a get-together!

Joe A

LeeH · 11-12-2012, 08:12 AM

A little south of Casa Grande is Picacho Peak. It's only about 2 miles to the 1500 ft peak, but it's fairly strenuous.

Joeaksa · 11-12-2012, 08:31 AM

Very nice photo Lee.

Have you ever hiked it? Have driven by it a thousand times and wondered what it would be like to hike.

Joe

Eric Coffey · 11-12-2012, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeeH

It's only about 2 miles to the 1500 ft peak, but it's fairly strenuous.

Yeah, I think that is the point when a "hike" becomes a "climb"

LeeH · 11-12-2012, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joeaksa

Very nice photo Lee.

Have you ever hiked it? Have driven by it a thousand times and wondered what it would be like to hike.

Joe

Photo is from the Wiki entry for the Battle of Picacho Peak. Yes, there was a Civil War battle there!
Battle of Picacho Pass - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I've done that one several times but it's been a while. Lots of swichbacks on the way up, but still pretty good climb.

I climbed Picacho peak with a group of friends years ago. One of the guys, a former Army Ranger, was "in training" and brought along an 80 pound pack. Despite the pleading of the rest of the group he insisted on carrying the bag. Well, by the time we got too far into it to turn back he started having trouble. We ended up taking turns carrying the pack... all the way to the top.