AZ Utopia: Arizona Hiking Blog

January 9, 2016

Hunter Hiking Trail to Picacho Peak

★★★★★ Difficult / North of Tucson: Exhilaration! Steep scrambles, climbing cables and wooden planks are all included on this adrenaline-inducing hike. Not for the faint-of heart, or anyone prone to vertigo, the Hunter Hiking Trail to Picacho Peak is a short, but intrepidly-steep-in-spots, climb to the apex of this mountain’s soaring rock face. The 360 degree views from the top, and well-deserved satisfaction in getting there, make…

January 1, 2016

Rainbow Valley and Toothaker Hiking Trail Loop

★☆☆☆☆ Easy / Goodyear: Winding through a series of interconnected valleys, the Rainbow Valley and Toothaker Hiking Trail Loop is decidedly “nice & easy.” The hike’s wide, mildly inclined pathways span long desert stretches, sandy arroyos and curvacious hillside rambles. While views of nearby Goodyear and distant purple mountains frame the horizon.

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December 29, 2015

A Puppy’s First Hike

Four-month-old Labradoodle, Owen, was beyond thrilled to be on this puppy’s first hike ever. He was yanking the leash to be able to explore more. Owner, Dustin, grew up hiking the east coast, but is “amazed at the incredible variety of hiking trails in Arizona.” – Met on the Hieroglyphic Trail in the Superstition Mountains.

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December 20, 2015

Peralta Hiking Trail to Freemont Saddle

★★★★★ Moderate / Phoenix Area: A stone skyscraper, taller than the Chrysler Building, is the star of this back country trail. Slicing diagonally across the gorgeous Superstition Mountains, the Peralta Hiking Trail ascends to an inner valley saddle offering Instagram-worthy views of thousand-foot-high Weavers Needle.

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December 4, 2015

Easy Trick to Measure Daylight Left while Hiking

Ah! Arizona’s wonderfully cooler hiking weather has arrived. And with it cursedly shorter days. As the daylight hours wane, it’s important to be aware of how much hiking time is left ’til sunset. It’s no fun fumbling back to the trailhead in the dark – as the result of squeezing in “Just one more mile!” Yes. If the coyotes are joining you on the trail, you’ve probably stayed out too long.…

December 4, 2015

Elephant Mountain Hiking Trail Loop

★★★☆☆ Moderate-Difficult / Phoenix Area: Get your hiking “Om” on – on this exquisitely beautiful natural trail. Just a stones throw away from Cave Creek’s rowdy saloon-style cafes, the Elephant Mountain Hiking Trail Loop winds through a vast, pristinely kept conservation area. Here echos of the old west resound in the tall buttes, sandy arroyos, ancient Saguaros and hushed tranquility.

November 21, 2015

North Mountain National Hiking Trail

★★☆☆☆ Moderate / Phoenix: From sunrise to sunset, this short city hike rocks the views! Located just minutes from downtown Phoenix, the North Mountain National Hiking Trail provides easy access, unusually good parking and epic 360 views. You’ll find locals cramming in a quick workout – hiking, running and even pushing strollers up and down the paved pathway. Take the hike at sunset to catch the area’s gorgeously glowing skies from the trail’s…

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November 14, 2015

Hidden Valley via Mormon Hiking Trail

★★★★☆ Moderate / Phoenix Area: A family-friendly slot canyon and long stone tunnel are hyper-fun to explore! Accessible via the Mormon Hiking Trail, Hidden Valley’s secluded wonders have hikers squishing through, climbing over or walking under them – revealing smile inducing fun. But the best surprise is the trail’s convenient location on Phoenix’s South Mountain.

November 7, 2015

Wind Cave Hiking Trail

★★★☆☆ Moderate / Phoenix Area: A sky-high cave perches atop this desert trail and opens onto prime city views. Wind Cave Hiking Trail zig zags up Pass Mountain’s arid slopes to this shaded veranda. Here gentle breezes and epic panoramas reward those who nail the short, rocky climb. Views of bright green Saguaro, Ocotillo and Cholla peek up from below. While downtown Phoenix sparkles in the background.

October 30, 2015

Pinnacle Peak Hiking Trail

★★★★☆ Moderate / Phoenix Area: Looking for a “posh” hiking trail? You got it! Rising from a sea of emerald-green golf courses, the Pinnacle Peak Hiking Trail resides in the midst of North Scottsdale’s toniest neighborhoods. Winding between oversized, and perfectly curvilinear boulders, this trail is as well designed and manicured as the surrounding communities. And the views from its sky-high summit? 360 degrees and lavish!