If you have severe knee pain or don’t have strong stability in your ankles, then this may be your turning point. Since we arrived before the visitor center was open, we just paid on our way out. Picacho Peak Sunset Vista Trail: 32.636917, -111.412611 Safety The hikes to Picacho Peak are not long, but they are strenuous, and if you allow yourself to become lightheaded due to dehydration or for other reasons, it can be dangerous in the steeper areas. Early morning from the saddle along Picacho Peak’s Hunter Trail. The signs will say 2 miles, but they lie. We began our hike at the Hunter Trailhead. Take a well deserved break ⦠We were treated to views of a “saguaro forest” to the west, with the sun setting over the mountains in the distance. I should divulge the fact that I took a fall on this hike. Carry one with you just in case. I guess that’s just a little reminder that in every situation, even a simple step, care should be taken to avoid mistakes. While the hike is frequently labeled as difficult, it is still doable. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Congratulations on hiking all the way to the summit!! TRAIL STATS Distance: 4 Miles RT Type of Trail: Out and back Difficulty: Moderate to Advanced Elevation: 3,374 feet Kid Friendly: Varies (See tips below) Dog-Friendly: No Trailheads fill with cars as hikers take to the network of trails in search of colorful wildflowers and endless vistas. Welcome to Happily Pink: a lifestyle blog with a focus on food, travel & fashion! I had a great time hiking Picacho Peak, but that extra walk in the desert sun, well, I think I would’ve preferred to do without that. You will climb a little over 1,100' in elevation on the 2.5 mile hike to Picacho Peak. If you’re nervous about your speed and other hikers, then this may be another good reason to start earlier in the day. All Right Reserved. Within the hour I made it to a saddle between the summit and a high point on the ridge to the north. I can't remember how long it took us but I think the hike finished at a little over an hour. From either direction, you will take exit 219 for Picacho Peak Rd. I was no worse for the wear, but somehow I also bent a car-key in my pocket in the process. Sonoran Desert National Monument A challenging 3.2 mile hike where you hike up, then descend quite a distance, and ascend back up plus more. Address: 15520 Picacho Peak Rd, Picacho, AZ 85241. But, I think if you did the vertical climb, then you can walk the plank. I descended the first set of cable-lined rock with a wry grin, snapping a few photos along the way. As you get closer to the saddle, you will start to notice a few steel cables along the trail, but you don’t necessarily need them. Ten Dollars for Twenty Minutes of Awe at... Lenox Crater: A Sustainable Hiking Trail Design at... Field Guide to Arizona’s Sonoran Desert Wildflowers. I know I sound like a big old wussy here, but, be warned: Picacho is not for the weak of heart. The reason why this varies so much is because on a busy day you will more than likely have to wait for other hikers to climb up before you can so there might be a bit of ⦠I ventured up this steep, rugged path on a pre-dawn on a late March morning. A few factors determine the amount of time it will take to hike Hunter Trail. At the saddle, there’s a historical plaque where you can learn about the 1862 Battle of Picacho Passâ the largest Civil War battle in Arizona territory. I was glad I had chosen an early start. Depending on what time you arrive, you can park closer to the trailhead or down the street on the loop. Be sure to grasp the cables and take your time so that you don’t slip. Iâve done this hike where the duration spanned from 2.5 â 5 hours. Created By Lucid Themes. But for everyone else who may want to turn around, collect your courage and slowly work your way down. My younger sister is 5’3″ and had no problem holding onto the cables. My photographs do no justice to the beauty I saw with my own eyes. A few factors determine the amount of time it will take to hike Hunter Trail. For the average hiker with an understandable fear of heights, the cables must be a God send. To the southeast, the Santa Catalina Mountains appear as a magic kingdom in the distance. You can see your destination, as you start up the Hunter Trail at Picacho Peak State Park. Tens of millions of years ago, Picacho Peak and Newman Peak were connected by a continuous ridge of mountain tops. Perhaps the most popular trail at Picacho Peak, the Hunter Trail gives the shortest route to the top. Full service campground on site, additional fee (per night) is required. Dramatic views of the Picacho Mountains from the Picacho Peak Summit. The Stonewall Peak Trail hike is the most popular hike in Cuyamaca Rancho State Park for good reason. Florence, AZ. Best months to visit are November to April as summertime temperatures are consistently over 100 degrees during the day. It is a moderate hike, a constant ascent that totals at a 1100+ elevation gain over approximately two miles. ⦠I included a link to the park’s map, in case you’d like to familiarize yourself. It is 3.1 miles and circles around the backside of the mountain then comes up and connects to the Hunter trail avoiding a lot of the difficulties. Those with a thirst for adventure set their sights on the Picacho Peak summit, elevation 3,370 feet. To be honest, I didn’t hike Picacho Peak until after I had graduated from college and was preparing to move to the East Coast. Winter stuck around as long as possible this year, but a promising sign that spring is near has been cropping up all across Arizona. All roads within the park are paved. If you have to wait for people to pass, then naturally it will take more time. I would highly recommend this trail to anyone. We've passed Picacho Peak close to a hundred times in our time living in Tucson. From the top of Picacho Peak On Friday, January 4, 2019, while staying at Picacho Peak State Park we climbed to the top of the famous Picacho Peak. The distance to the top is 2.7 miles with an increase in elevation of 2,014. Be prepared with two litres of ⦠Itâs the very top of that big, imposing mountain, straight in front of you. The signage to the park is visibly marked and easy to locate. TRAIL DESCRIPTION Take in some magnificent views of the Tucson area with this challenging but worthy hike! Desert valleys stretch for miles in all directions, interrupted in the distance by the long ridges of neighboring mountains. The trail is challenging and requires strong arms to grip the cables on ascent and descent- gloves are highly recommended. The base is a great intro to the rocky climbing that you will soon encounter on the other side of the base. From the top it looks like a boring trail. In this post, I breakdown some of my tips and best practices. The vertical climbing is easily my most favorite part of the hike! Hunter Trail appeals to me because it’s short, challenging and fun! From Phoenix, get on the I-10 heading East. The view across the valley to Newman Peak was awe inspiring. Prepare to ⦠If you need to take a break, there’s plenty of space to step to the side for water. We enjoyed the hike and the flowers. But not on the rock faces and cables, I was super careful up there. Although most of the recreational use occurs on the peak, there are also large canyons and mesa tops to explore. The day temperatures during those seasons can easily exceed over 100 degrees. Currently you have JavaScript disabled. Descending the east slopes, the sun was starting to warm the rock and the air into 70 degree weather, which made the ascending hikers look hot and sweaty. We could see the flowers. Once the the final rock-and-cable climb is completed, the trail snakes its way up to a steep slope for a couple hundred feet until it attains the flat, rocky summit of Picacho Peak. Much of this hike involves climbing and holding onto rocks or cables. Hunter Trail, typically rated as difficult, begins on the north side (from Barrett Loop) and will take you to the top of the peak. What sets this hike apart from most trails in Arizona is the system of cables, handrails, and bridges in some sections of the hike. Some pass it without notice. Winter is NOT the time to climb Pikes Peak, but donât take our word for it. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. “How silly!” I thought. Picacho Peak State Park. After you drive past the visitor center*, you will take the first left to Barrett Loop. I enjoyed the vista for a moment or two, and then pushed onward. Disposable mask: if the trails are heavily populated then it is recommended to wear masks. You will see a sign marked “Hunter Trail,” and from there, your 4-mile hike begins! At this same spot is where you can see the descent on the backside of the base. Enjoy the 360-views of the Sonoran Desert and take your photos. Sunset Vista Trail: 6.2 miles round trip (3.1 each way) Hunter Trail: 2.0 miles one way (4.0 round trip) Calloway Trail: 0.7 miles one way (1.4 round trip) The key that belonged to the car I was driving of course. The east face of Picacho Peak towered as a near vertical cliff above me, and the trail descended into a traverse across the south side of the mountain. Length: 3.2 mi ⢠Est. Another attractions: The cacti is always there. If it’s cloudy, still lather on that sunscreen. Youâll pass through an open gate and approach the visitors center. Local hiking expert, âHiking Bobâ Falcone has been a Colorado Springs resident for 27 years. Pay attention to your footing since the ground is quite uneven. I ⦠I thought it was easier to cross using the rock for holds. The summit rises to 3,374 feet (1,028 m) above mean sea level. I ventured up this steep, rugged path on a pre-dawn on a late March morning. Barr Trail is the main route to hike Pikes Peak and the only trail that will take you to the summit. While I prefer to start my hikes at the start of sunrise, I understand not everyone is an early bird. Cables aid hikers in navigating a 45 degree slope. Those truly inspired by its beauty will exit the highway and enter into a little patch of desert called Picacho Peak State Park. Personally, I am more of an occasional hiker but I felt that my experience could help someone prepare for their first adventure to the top of the 3374-foot summit. The land In the far southeastern corner of California, near the town of Yuma is one of the starkest desert landscapes in the world. Picacho feels tall, yet the top of the Catalinas, Mount Lemmon, towers another 7,000 vertical feet above Picacho’s 3,000 foot crest. At this point your ascent begins with the cables. There was one other car in the parking lot, but I saw no one on my ascent. I would like to add that there are a few different trails at Picacho Peak State Park, but I will only focus on Hunter Trail because that is the only trail I have hiked. Beautiful! I’ve done this hike where the duration spanned from 2.5 â 5 hours. King Canyon Trail. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me on Instagram, @HappilyPinkBlog. © Happily Pink 2016 | Enjoy the view as you walk along the paths that lead up to the summit, and often in the spring on a sea of wildflowers. ⦠Best Mirrorless Cameras: Landscape Photography Best Sony E-Mount Lenses Rokinon Samyang 12mm F2 Review Why I Switched to a Mirrorless Camera, Mountain Photography Colorado Plateau Photography Grand Canyon Photography Sonoran Desert Photography. But even if you don’t have time to view the map (or forget), the road is well-marked and easy to navigate. 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