Close Hikes with Cool Weather

CyclingNurse · Joined: 09 Jun 2009 Posts: 6

Hey guys,

I am new here and can't bring myself to wake up at 5 am to go hiking in 100 degree weather. Are there any awesome hikes close to Phoenix that would have cooler weather? I was noticing Prescott seems to be an hour away and there is a brewery there.

I would appreciate any suggestions. I am wanting to go hiking this weekend.

~Heidi

Nighthiker · Joined: 05 Jan 2003 Posts: 1714

Horton Creek, See Canyon East of Payson. Little further Blue Ridge Area, AZ Trail Segment, East Clear Creek near Clints Well.

Hikngrl · Posted: 6/30/2009, 3:14 pm Post subject:

That's a great list to start with!
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~~~Diane~~~

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Trishness · Posted: 6/30/2009, 7:21 pm Post subject:

Heidi,

You might want to look into Mormon Mountain and as Nighthiker suggested...anything up on the Rim near East Clear Creek....Kinder Crossing, Fred Haught Trail, Houston Brothers or any of the Cabin Loop trails (U-bar or Barbershop). East Clear Creek area is about 2.5 hours from Phoenix.

Another area to consider is the Pinal Mountains out in Globe.

Mr. Green

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~~~Trish~~~

"Eastward the dawn rose, ridge behind ridge into the morning, and vanished out of eyesight into guess; it was no more than a glimmer blending with the hem of the sky, but it spoke to them, out of the memory and old tales, of the high and distant mountains." � J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of The Rings.

Nighthiker · Joined: 05 Jan 2003 Posts: 1714

Review the July issue of Phoenix Magazine, take note of the Backwoods Creeks.

oliverr99 · Joined: 04 Jul 2006 Posts: 632 Location: Glendale

I bought that magazine last week. That particular hike looks nice. Someone, please do the hike and let me know, or us know!
When I went to the Houston Brothers Trail, the Barbershop Trail was closed due to controlled fire in the area. Just an FYI
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Anne
"Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened" -- Dr. Seuss

Trishness · Posted: 7/7/2009, 11:14 pm Post subject:

azbackpackr · Posted: 7/8/2009, 6:23 am Post subject:

Back to the original question, aren't Payson and Globe a lot closer to the Valley than Prescott? Driving up to the top of the Pinals by Globe gets you out of the heat pretty well. Also there are the Bradshaws, Crown King area--that's pretty close, isn't it? Long dirt road to get there, though.

That's why I prefer Tucson to Phoenix. Mt. Lemmon sooo close!

sbkelley · Joined: 20 Feb 2007 Posts: 284 Location: Tempe, AZ

Catalina Highway to the top of Mt. Lemmon gets you up in the pines and the drive is spectacular itself. Wilderness of Rocks loop is an idea.
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Mountains complement desert as desert complements city, as wilderness complements and completes civilization. - Ed Abbey

CyclingNurse · Joined: 09 Jun 2009 Posts: 6

Thanks for the tips. I bought the Phoenix magazine and there are some great sounding trails in there as well as pictures!!

Hike number 2, Smith Ravine in Prescott looks nice, think I will try that this weekend. It looks pretty close.

Nighthiker · Joined: 05 Jan 2003 Posts: 1714

Just came back from a camping trip near Clints Well. Large managed fies in the area AZ Trail (Battleground Ridge Area was/is closed. Another fire west of Clints Well made the area smokey near FS 615 so I was unable to vist the area.