Hiking mid-May in Phoenix area- suggestions?

[rosstom]

I'm planning a trip to Phoenix in mid-May. I'm interested in day hikes- mountains and long views good- strenuous not a problem. Any suggestions or thoughts much appreciated. Also, willing to drive several hours out of town for a good hike.

Thanks.

Tom

[gpsjoe]

Welcome aboard Tom.

Mid-May you can expect daytime high temps to be 100 degrees in and around Phoenix. Too hot to hike locally for me. June through August daytime highs are more like 110 degrees.

The key to escaping those temps is to go to higher elevations. They are all around us.

In no particular order here are some that might work.

Prescott - Granite Mountain
Tucson - Mount Lemon, Mount Wrightson, Mica Mountain, Rincon Peak, many others
Payson - Mogollon Rim - see www.gpsjoe.net
Pinetop - Mount Baldy, many others
Flagstaff - Mount Humphrey's Peak (12,633 highest in AZ), Kendrick Peak, many more

If you have a couple of years you might be able to cover it. All these would certainly be enjoyable. The higher the better at that time of year.
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[Sun Ray]

You may want to check out the many hikes in Sedona area as average May temp in 82. Plus it's about 2 hours from Phoenix area.

[azbackpackr]

Everything GPSjoe said, except Mt. Baldy. It is not going to be very easy to get up it until July, due to the snowpack. Not impossible, but a pain in the rear. No one is even sure when they will open the roads.

[wanderingsoul]

Wow, you guys must have gotten a lot of snow if they aren't sure when roads will open. Aren't they usually open in mid-May?
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[rosstom]

Joe,

Thanks for the helpful info. I think I'll head north- and up in elevation.

Tom