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Arizona Hiking Trails: Other than the Grand Canyon
by Glenda Jao
http://www.forarizona.com
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 hike is not too far from Casa Grande. It
provides a stunning view of the Sonora desert from the top.
This seven-mile round trip is very steep at times, and has
many switchbacks. And, if you take the alternate trail to
return from the peak you will add 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. The Paria Canyon hike begins near the Utah
border and immediately afterwards moves into Arizona. It is
a multi-day trail, which will end far away from your car, so
you will have to take the shuttle for the ride back. You
must also keep a sharp lookout on the weather as the
trailhead gets frequently washed out due to flash floods. In
addition, permits from the BLM will be required as this
trail will take you through the wilderness area.
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.
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