Arizona Hikers: a question?

“I have a friend heading out to Arizona in a couple weeks. She is a novice hiker and has 2 small children, 4 and 7. She is looking for a easy dayhike, but with nice views. What would be your recommendations?”

“WATCH OUT FOR GILA'S!”

“is that those pasty face women that tend to your every need?





no wait, those are geiscas 9sp?)”

“So, no Arizona hikers?”

“Hyway. I was out in Arizona last August and went to the Painted Desert. I am planning to go out again with Mapleleaf this year. The Petrified Forest/Painted Desert park has 4 short hiking trails (loops) along the 22 mile stretch of road. As far as being easy, I can't vouch for that yet as I haven't hiked it. I can say that they are short loops from what i saw on the map (about 1/2 mile to 1/1/2 miles each) and the terrain is some of the most breathtaking you will ever see in your life. So, perhaps that makes it worth at least looking into.”

“I wanna hear from AZ hikers too.

I'm planning on taking the family out there this year. We would like to go on some short day hikes with the kids...ya know, 1-3 miles.”

“Where in Arizona are they headed? There are nice hikes in the Superstitions, Flagstaff, and of course the Grand Canyon.”

“Arizona is Hikers Heaven, I'll try to respond later today. Up to my neck in Turbo Tax and FAFSA.”

“Looking to go back to Grand Canyon also. Anyone know where we can hike that isn't too touristy and is a fairly easy in-easy out? Does that exist there?”

“Reptiles, she asked me to get opinions on trails around phoenix and the Superstition Mountains.

Thanks for the help people.”

“Treebeard,
Try the North Rim. Much less touristy but a lot of good hiking. Of course, anything into the canyon will be difficult. Steep going in and steeper coming out. Look into the Powell Plateau. I haven't been there but it may be easier than most of the places.”

“I was thinking of the North Rim also. I want to be where there are less people.

Ill check out that area. Do you think ill need a permit?

maple”

“If you are camping within the park, you will need a permit.

However most of the North Rim is actually a national forest so if you stay on the rim and day hike into the park, you won't need a permit. Camping is at large in the forest so you can drive to your trailhead and just throw up a tent.

Most of the roads are dirt and vary in their passability. I've gotten pretty much anywhere I wanted in my Subaru Outback.

A good map of the area is a BLM map of the 'Arizona Strip' area.”

“uhhum ... can we get back to Arizona? :)”

“OK back to the Phoenix part of Arizona. Squaw Peak Park is in town and has several different trails. Some are kind of easy and the hike to the top of Squaw Peak is about 1000 feet in just over a mile with nice views of the city. It is desert terrain so the kids may enjoy seeing the cactus and other desert vegetation.

That's all I know first hand on hiking in and around Phoenix. Try this web site for some other hiking in Phoenix:

http://www.ci.phoenix.az.us/PARKS/hikephx.html#PEAK”

“Thanks mediaman. Have you been in the superstitions?”

“I question how far into the Supe's one would want to take a 4 yr old. The TH's are about an hour from town, and are somewhat primitive. South Mountain Park, which is 16K+ acres, is in town, and quite accessible, and designed for more moderate hiking, although you can get your heart pumping on some of the trails. But it caters to the cub scout sector also. Usery Park, in the NE part of the city, ranks similarly.”

“ok, thats the kind of information I was looking for . Thank You.”

“Treebeard- the north rim is awesome. It's so quiet compared to the South rim. Its a whole nother world even. When I was there for the day I saw foxes hunting, a badger, loads of deer and other wildlife. I would never go to the south rim again- way too many people even though the canyon veiws are awesome.”

“I was in the Superstitions once. I was in Cub Scouts and we were all talking about this new favorite movie we had all just seen called Star Wars. I don't think I could give you any pertinent advice on that area. Although there's supposed to be some gold buried there by an old hermit.”

“If you're talking about the "Lost Dutchman's" treasure. It's been found and not saying any more.”

“Why? Was it cursed and everyone involved died in mysterious and strange ways?”

“Going to Grand Canyon and Page Arizona in November...Any good spots on the South Rim to Hike in the winter? How about Page Az, I hear the slot canyons are pretty cool, would like to check those out...anyone with information on these areas would be welcome. Thanks.”

“Antelope Canyon near page is supposed to be an amazing slot canyon. It's on the indian reservation and you have to pay for a guide to take you through. The day I went, the canyon was closed so I don't know how good it actually is.”