Toughest Hike

ck1 · Joined: 04 Jan 2003 Posts: 1331 Location: Mesa

I was asked this question not to long ago by a friend who recently moved to AZ...he asked...

"What's the toughest single day hike in the state?"

What would be your answer(s)?
_________________
-Colin

"The Journey is the Destination"

Daddee · Posted: 7/22/2003, 8:19 am Post subject:

Ridgeline - Superstitions

or

RTR GC
_________________
"Only small minds want always to be right."
- Louis XIV

"...haven't you lived long enough to know that two men may honestly differ about a question and both be right?"
- Abraham Lincoln

sidhayes · Joined: 04 Jan 2003 Posts: 116

Florida canyon trailhead to summit of Mt. Wrightson and return-15 miles. 5500 foot gain.

Daryl · Posted: 7/22/2003, 10:57 am Post subject:

I agree with Olesma,
Rim-river-rim or rim-rim at the Grand Canyon.
Miles, elevation change, even a pretty dramatic climate change.

Although many people wouldn't consider either a day hike.
_________________

BoyNhisDog · Posted: 7/22/2003, 1:16 pm Post subject:

Tough question. There are so many and you can really make them as long and hard as anyone needs in a day.

I am surprised that Sid has picked a hike on Mount Wrightson. I new the hiking was very tough there but I feel a whole lot better that he though so as well. I did a shorter hike there with Lizard last Sunday and we all felt it. A short description with five photos here-> Push to the Summit

Our version was a 4000' climb and worse for my taste, a 4000' steep descent. The trail was a rock strew minefield in many places and steep. There are a lot of tough hikes. I don't know what the toughest is but this one was all I needed in a day. The sights and the cool air were worth it.
_________________
Seize from every moment its unique novelty and do not prepare your joys
- Andre Gide

evenstar · Joined: 03 Jan 2003 Posts: 5548 Location: SCW by way of CA

Great photos, as usual, Glen. Thanks for sharing.

My toughest hike was the day I did Piestewa Peak and Echo Canyon back to back. Piestewa Peak did in my ankles and Echo did in my knees. Crazy

_________________
John Richardson and Richie Rich, El Perro de Playero
http://members.tripod.com/~evenstar/index.html
http://www.arizonahikers.com
When the Man waked up he said, "What is Wild Dog doing here?" And the Woman said, "His name is not Wild Dog anymore, but the First Friend, because he will be our friend for always and always and always. Take him with you when you go hunting."
--Rudyard Kipling, from Just So Stories, 1902

BoyNhisDog · Posted: 7/22/2003, 2:13 pm Post subject:

Thank you for the kind works Hoolie. My knees are the problem spot as well on a hike with a lot of vertical. I started feeling pain in the tendons on the outside of my knees. I don't know what I'd do without my trekking poles anymore.
_________________
Seize from every moment its unique novelty and do not prepare your joys
- Andre Gide

mike · What box? Joined: 30 Dec 2002 Posts: 3134

Grand Canyon Rim to Rim.
_________________
[/size]

Guest · Posted: 7/22/2003, 3:24 pm Post subject:

The toughest day hike that I have done...Flatiron/mid July/noon start. That day, I deducted, the words "toughest" and "me hiking" do not mix well at all!

I do have one curiosity about this question..."WWSS" (What Would Sid Say)

mike · What box? Joined: 30 Dec 2002 Posts: 3134

CatValet · Posted: 7/22/2003, 6:58 pm Post subject:

Welcome Glen! Great pix. WWSS--he did, Florida Canyon. It's long and steep, but more gradual than some. Still, with my pet rock, I took a day and a half, then went down to Madera via the Supertrail, shuttled back to Florida.

The night time view of the lights of Tucson, and Green Valley, and Nogales, and the glow of Phoenix in the distant north from the summit, or even Baldy Saddle is unbeleivable....-R

Guest · Posted: 7/22/2003, 7:09 pm Post subject:

desertgirl · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 3350 Location: Chandler, AZ

I think the conditions in which you hike makes a huge difference .....

I have done Rim 2 Rim in Fall and thought it was hard and then did the same 4th july weekend and decided it was the single most "stupid" thing I have done so far....

Grandcanyon backcountry tends to become a challenge in summer months - especially if you are attempting to cover fairly large distances in remote areas. I guess the fact that you know if things go wrong....the buzzards will find you changes the toughness factor
_________________
Photos: http://www.pbase.com/desertgirl/galleries
Life is but a dream ...there is no end to what you can dream!

BoyNhisDog · Posted: 7/23/2003, 4:47 am Post subject:

GeorgAz · Joined: 04 Jan 2003 Posts: 815 Location: Scottsdale

Did Finger Rock one winter and it is a toughie! Didn't make it all the way as it started snowing(remember snow?) + we were not really prepared for any weather. This was also before my 3 knee surgeries when the parts were a little more well-oiled! Mt.Elden almost did me in one summer about 3 yrs ago,when it was unseasonably hot, mostly because of the unusual heat and the elevation gain. Was just a bad day! I think it depends on your stamina plus the environment at the time. When I was a regular on Piewesta,it never got easier daily, but some days when I was tired or stressed,I actually did better time than when rested! Rolling Eyes