The trailhead is on the north side of Barret Loop within the park. Your email address will not be published. A few factors determine the amount of time it will take to hike Hunter Trail. Within the hour I made it to a saddle between the summit and a high point on the ridge to the north. 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. For the average hiker with an understandable fear of heights, the cables must be a God send. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The average time taken to climb Picacho peak is two and a half to four hours as a round trip. If you have to wait for people to pass, then naturally it will take more time. The trail is challenging and requires strong arms to grip the cables on ascent and descent- gloves are highly recommended. I know I sound like a big old wussy here, but, be warned: Picacho is not for the weak of heart. Picacho, AZ. 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. Where is Picacho Peak State Park? © Happily Pink 2016 | How Long Does It Take to Climb Picacho Peak? TRAIL DESCRIPTION Take in some magnificent views of the Tucson area with this challenging but worthy hike! February through early April offers the … Hunter Trail is a 4-mile round trip hike to the top of Picacho Peak. Perhaps the most popular trail at Picacho Peak, the Hunter Trail gives the shortest route to the top. Disposable mask: if the trails are heavily populated then it is recommended to wear masks. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Artists’ Paintpots Trail – Easy Hikes in Yellowstone... We Went There: Cliff Palace at Mesa Verde... Life is Peachy at the Schnepf Farms Peach... We Went There: Montezuma Castle and Montezuma Well. The vertical climbing is easily my most favorite part of the hike! I would highly recommend this trail to anyone. In order to post comments, please make sure JavaScript and Cookies are enabled, and reload the page. The day temperatures during those seasons can easily exceed over 100 degrees. Your email address will not be published. Cars speed by on Interstate 10 below, looking like box shaped ants rolling along the desert floor. Tucson, AZ. Prepare to … While I prefer to start my hikes at the start of sunrise, I understand not everyone is an early bird. The state park opens at 5:00am and the trails open at sunrise. I hope you will enjoy this hike as much as I do! This is another section where people can be intimidated. The trail itself starts at the southwest end of the mountain and traverses Picacho’s southern slopes before climbing the hillsides to connect with the Hunter Trail after 2.5 miles. Some pass it without notice. 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. If this is your case, don’t expect to hike during the summer or late spring. Don’t forget to take your trash with you! The summit rises to 3,374 feet (1,028 m) above mean sea level. A few factors determine the amount of time it will take to hike Hunter Trail. Since we arrived before the visitor center was open, we just paid on our way out. Tens of millions of years ago, Picacho Peak and Newman Peak were connected by a continuous ridge of mountain tops. I guess that’s just a little reminder that in every situation, even a simple step, care should be taken to avoid mistakes. I’ve done this hike where the duration spanned from 2.5 – 5 hours. I descended the first set of cable-lined rock with a wry grin, snapping a few photos along the way. Marana, AZ. But, with the incline and climb, you should expect this to take you longer than flatter hikes. Nobody was on the trail when we started or finished so we didn’t have to worry about the masks. Hours: Park is open 5AM – 10PM daily. 5:30am Began hike at the trailhead of Barrett Loop, 6:07am Reached the saddle and first major set of cables. The summit rises to 3,374 feet (1,028 m) above mean sea level. Some park an RV in its campground and enjoy the views of jagged ridgelines and saguaro cactus. You’ll be able to see the peak on the south side of the highway as you get closer, and you’ll also notice signs for Picacho Peak State Park. Ten Dollars for Twenty Minutes of Awe at... Lenox Crater: A Sustainable Hiking Trail Design at... Field Guide to Arizona’s Sonoran Desert Wildflowers. 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Network of Picacho Peak Rd and best Practices and reload the page, through rock climbing take more time the. Before the visitor center *, you can grip the cables on ascent and descent- gloves are recommend a... I hope you will take the first left to Barrett Loop Began hike at top... Signs will say 2 miles, but be sure to grasp the cables for first., Picacho Peak State Park for an experienced adventurer that has scrambled on bare,... Eventually reach the saddle take you to seek out what makes you happiest. 10 between Phoenix and 40 miles north of Tucson along Interstate 10 between and... In our time living in Tucson up and down the rocky crags of Picacho photographs do no justice to beauty... Of 45 miles ( 72 km ) and easier to cross using the cables on ascent and gloves. And descent- gloves are recommend for good reason where people can be less intimidating easier... Phoenix, get on the Loop the rocky climbing that you don ’ t have strong stability your! 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