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Five Amazing Hiking Trails in Arizona

Everyone knows that you can go to Arizona and hike the Grand Canyon, but what about other trails? There is plenty of great hiking in Arizona that has nothing to do with jockeying for position at the Grand Canyon. Many of them are difficult, but they reward with beauty that is seldom matched anywhere in the world. Here are five of the best.

Wet Beaver Loop. The Wet Beaver Wilderness Area provides an amazing 22 miles round trip. It is advisable to not bring children along as this hike is extremely difficult and takes more than a day to complete. Be prepared to get wet as a fair portion of this hike requires walking through water. This hike takes you in a large loop to end up where you started from. You will encounter camps and waterfalls along the way and the stunning Waldroup canyon.

Picacho Peak. This hike is not too far from Casa Grande, and provides a stunning view of the Sonora desert from the top. The hike is very steep at times, and there are numerous switchbacks. The trail is seven miles round trip, unless you take the alternate trail to return from the peak (adding an extra couple of miles).

Gloves are recommended on this hike, as it may be necessary to make use of the steel cables meant to aid hikers as they climb. Some Class 3 climbing necessary, so it is important to be in decent physical condition to complete this hike.

Kendrick Mountain. This is a trail that is moderately easy. It is 9.2 miles round trip, and features a look at a cabin and ends in some spectacular views of Red Mountain, Mount Humphreys, Sycamore Canyon, and even the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. There are a series of short switchbacks toward the end that provide the great views.

Paria Canyon hike starts in Utah near the border, and moves into Arizona. The frequent flash floods often wash out the trailhead, so you have to watch the weather intently. You can make use of the shuttle for the ride back since the trail ends far away from the car. It is a multi-day trip. Moreover, you need a permit from the BLM because you will be going through wilderness area.

After the rains the trail gets muddy and prone to quicksand so you will have to pick around a bit. Once you actually get into the canyon, the trail disappears and you have to follow the river. You will be walking through a narrow slot canyon with spectacular formation. It is advisable not to take the trip if rain is forecast for any of the days that you plan to be hiking, because once you are in the Narrows you won't be able to escape flash floods.

This trail offers some fantastic features including a cave "room" in one of the walls, Judd Hollow, the Wrather Canyon and the Wrather Arch. There are also various other routes, springs and canyons, the formations and views of which make this hike an amazing and worthwhile experience.

Article Source: http://www.travelarticles.org

About the author: Glenda Jao writes exclusively for For Arizona, it's one of the webs most up to date Arizona sites, their free newsletter is well worth signing up for too. If you want to read more Arizona articles go to: www.forarizona.com/articles
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