Arizona offers many hiking trails apart from the Grand Canyon. They are difficult, but they reward with unmatched beauty. Here are the best five.
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 hiking trail is fairly close to the Casa Grande and once you reach the top, you will be rewarded with a stunning view of the Sonora desert. The trail offers two options: the shorter seven mile round trip or the nine-odd mile trip if you return using the alternate trail from the peak. This is a fairly steep hike with numerous switchbacks.
It is advisable to wear gloves on this hike and you may need to use steel cables to aid your climb at times. You must be in good physical condition to undertake this hike as some Class 3 climbing will be necessary.
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. This hike starts in Utah, but right near the border, and immediately moves into Arizona. The road to the trailhead is frequently washed out, and so you need to keep a sharp eye on the weather to avoid flash floods. And, because the trail ends far away from the car, it's nice to take advantage of a shuttle for the ride back, especially since this a multi-day trip. Additionally, as you will be going through wilderness area, you will need to obtain a permit from the BLM.
The trail becomes prone to quicksand and quite muddy, especially if you go just after the rains. You will have to pick around quite a bit on this trail and in fact, there will be no trail once you reach the canyon. The only way is to follow the river. You will be walking through a narrow slot canyon with spectacular formation. Remember to avoid this trail if rain is forecast as there is no escape from flash floods in the Narrows.
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.
By: Jimmy Jooves
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