Five Amazing Hiking Trails in Arizona

 by: Glenda Jao

Arizona offers many hiking trails apart from the Grand

Canyon. They are difficult, but they reward with unmatched

beauty. Here are the best five.

The Wet Beaver Loop is an extremely difficult trail, but it

is an awesome hike in the Wet Beaver Wilderness Area. It is

a 22-mile round trip and you will need more than one day to

complete it, as you will be making a large loop to return

from where you began. It is interspersed with camps,

Waldroup canyon, and waterfalls. You have to wade through

water for a portion of the hike. So, be prepared to get wet,

and do not bring children along.

Picacho Peak. This hike is not too far from Casa Grande,

and provides a stunning view of the Sonora desert from the

top. The hike is very steep at times, and there are

numerous switchbacks. The trail is seven miles round trip,

unless you take the alternate trail to return from the peak

(adding an extra couple of miles).

It is advisable to wear gloves on this hike and you may need

to use steel cables to aid your climb at times. You must be

in good physical condition to undertake this hike as some

Class 3 climbing will be necessary.

Kendrick Mountain is a moderately easy trail. This 9.2 miles

round trip 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. You will

come across a series of short switchbacks toward the end

that provide breathtaking views.

Paria Canyon hike starts in Utah near the border, and moves

into Arizona. The frequent flash floods often wash out the

trailhead, so you have to watch the weather intently. You

can make use of the shuttle for the ride back since the

trail ends far away from the car. It is a multi-day trip.

Moreover, you need a permit from the BLM because you will be

going through wilderness area.

If you go on this hike right after it rains, you will find

that you will have to pick around a bit, as the trail

becomes muddy and prone to quicksand. Once you actually get

into the canyon, there is no trail. You have to follow the

river. A narrow slot canyon with spectacular formation is

what you walk through. If rain is in the forecast for any

of the days that you plan to be hiking, you should not

attempt, as there is no way to escape flash floods once in

the Narrows.

Other fantastic features include a cave \"room\" in one of

the walls, Wrather Canyon (along with Wrather Arch), Judd

Hollow, and other canyons and routes, as well as springs.

The views and formations along this hike are amazing and

worth the trip.

About The Author - Glenda Jao is the chief writer for, and editor of For Arizona, it\'s one of the webs most up to date Arizona sites, their free newsletter is well worth signing up for too. Want to read more Arizona articles?, just go to: http://www.forarizona.com/articles

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