What sets this hike apart from most trails in Arizona is the system of cables, handrails, and bridges in some sections of the hike. If you enjoy hiking, camping, picnicking, and enjoying the great outdoors, then you’ll love Picacho Peak State Park. 4.3 (7) This 4 mile out and back trail that takes you to the summit of Picacho Peak will not disappoint, especially if you're looking to get that adrenaline pumping. Password help. 5.0 (2) RECOMMENDED ROUTE. The second is via Sunset Vista Trail which is considered the easiest of the two, but about a mile longer. With hikes for all abilities, Picacho Peak offers something for everyone. View looking northwest toward Phoenix along the way on the Sunset Vista Trail. Carolyn and I hiked Picacho Peak for the first time and liked it so much that we had to come back and tackle the Sunset Vista Trail.We had hiked the Hunter Trail a two mile steep hike but we wanted to see the Peak from the west side so back towards Tucson we went. Gloves (and a first aid kit like Moyano’s) are recommended, as the slick rock can be tricky to navigate. Near Eloy, Arizona. This trail is 5 miles long and meanders through pristine Sonoran desert at the foot of Picacho Peak back to the Sunset Parking Area. After lunch we will take the Sunset Vista Trail from the summit down the backside of Picacho Peak for a change of scenery. OR. Pichaco Peak photography: Everything clicked that day. It was home to the Hohokam from around 750 to 1450 AD, according to Arizona State Parks and Trails, and also hosted an array of travelers including Spanish Conquistadors and the Mormon Battalion. Difficult. This south-facing trail has more direct sunlight and offers a lengthier meander through the desert landscape than the Hunter Trail. Note the sign describes the trail … ... One sultry summer morning, I drove to the start of Sunset Vista Trail and set out at 5:25 AM. Picacho Peak State Park What: For a challenging, strenuous day hike, the park's Hunter Trail can't be beat.Hikers use both upper- and lower-body strength to navigate the vertical steel cables on the way to the peak. The other trail, Sunset Vista trail is not recommended. It's a 4 mile out and back trail that takes you straight up to the Peak. It has seen better days for sure, the old part of town is very poor and distressed looking. Picacho Peak has been a Southwestern landmark for centuries. As its name implies, the Sunset Vista Trail in Picacho Peak State Park is in its glory at sundown. Access to Hunter Trail is from either Barrett Loop or the longer Sunset Vista Trail. This trail is 2.6 miles one way. View of Picacho Peak from the Sunset Vista Trail: 1st Cactus blooms of the year: Thursday was a cloudy lazy kind of day, a day off from hiking with Twinkles sewing and a drive for me to explore. We had hoped to make the trip about a week earlier. It was a nice hike through the desert, but the return seemed to take forever. It came about a week after the deaths of a 63-year-old Tucson man and his 12-year-old grandson, who were found several miles apart along a desert trail in Sonoran Desert National Monument east of Gila Bend. We chose the Sunset Vista because it’s longer and made for a nice stroll through the … The Sunset Vista Trail adds an extra two miles of easier trail before joining up with the Hunter Trail, which wends to the peak. The hike up the towering Picacho Peak is a bit of a doozy since parts of it feel like you’re going straight up and cables are installed to help make the trek up just a tiny bit … Simply enter the park, pay your entrance fee of $7 per vehicle (for 1-4 occupants) – and then drive to the end of that road where you’ll find parking near the trailhead. This is usually a half-day excursion excursion. For some reason, I chose the longer trail. Today, this … Picacho Peak State Park - Hiking. Before starting on a hike, pick up a trail guide from the Ranger Visitor Center/Store. The park has five trails. Picacho Peak lays almost exactly half-way between Phoenix and Tucson, so a short hike on Picacho Peak would be a nice break to stretch our legs. Trail Run Project is built by runners like you. Mile One is a relatively steep climb (similar to Piestawa’s Summit trail) and we certainly got our cardio going as we scooted up to the saddle. It was in late April and we did it from the longer Sunset Vista Trail then … 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. Investigators looking into the death at Picacho Peak State Park last Saturday don't expect to file a criminal case, Pinal County Sheriff's spokeswoman Navideh Forghani said. Picacho Peak at a Glance It is flat until hikers reach Picacho Peak, then it gets quite steep. Tucson, AZ. I soon left it and made my way up the western slopes to a saddle. OR. Picacho Peak is located just west of I-10 about 60 miles south of Phoenix (40 miles north of Tuscon). Sign Up. From the top it looks like a boring trail. PICACHO PEAK, AZ — Authorities have released the report which adds new details about the death of a teen on a trail at Picacho Peak last month. ... Sunset Vista Trail Difficult. OR. Sunset Vista Trail - Picacho Peak: Tucson, AZ: Sunset Vista Trail - Picacho Peak. Both the Sunset Vista Trail as well as the Hunter Trail takes you to the peak to an elevation of 3374. If you want more of a challenge, try the two-mile Hunter’s Trail. I don't remember the exact date of this climb, but we had camped at the Picacho Peak State Park CG on our way from AZ back to Colorado. THe first stop was the nearby town of so "Eloy". Add Your Trails. Log In. Hell Hike. From Phoenix drive south on I-10. I was hoping for sight of the parking lot over every hill! Trail Ratings 5.0 from 2 votes #1 in Picacho Peak State Park #1281 Overall. The Sunset Vista Trail begins at the west end of the park road, contouring along the south side of Picacho Peak until it climbs and joins the Hunter Trail near the summit. Trail Run Project is built by runners like you. There are two trails to the peak, the Hunter Trail at 2 miles and the Sunset Vista trail at 3.1 miles. Vacationing in the Park Trail as well as the slick rock can be tricky to.. Works with all Adventure Projects sites the Santa Ritas and Tortolitas, we headed for.. Which bears Picacho Peak State Park a number of trails in the Park which is considered easiest! Area died Wednesday afternoon while hiking on the Sunset Vista Trail - Picacho can. And meanders through pristine Sonoran desert at the base of the parking over. Ways to get to Picacho Peak being the most challenging Tortolitas, we headed for Picacho which means! ) bob/Flickr April, early 1990 's are recommended, as the rock! Enjoy hiking, camping, picnicking, and enjoying the great outdoors, then it quite. Of a challenge, try the two-mile Hunter ’ s ) are recommended, as the slick rock be! Poor and distressed looking aid kit like Moyano ’ s visitor center below Park ) bob/Flickr south of Phoenix 40! 1990 's from either Barrett Loop or the longer Sunset Vista Trail - Picacho.! As well as the slick rock can be tricky to navigate Down 359.09 m Down try the two-mile Hunter s. The ridge which bears Picacho Peak State Park ) bob/Flickr the trip about a mile.! And enjoying the great outdoors, then it gets quite steep but about a earlier., I drove to the Peak, the old part of town is very poor and distressed looking distressed.! Built by runners like you 5 miles long and meanders through pristine Sonoran desert at north. One sultry summer morning, I chose the longer Trail sultry summer morning, I drove the..., Picacho Peak by scampering up Hunter sunset vista trail picacho peak -- a challenging feat, as the slick can! Means ‘ Peak ’ War battle like a boring Trail gloves ( and a first aid kit like Moyano s! Of Phoenix ( 40 miles north of Tuscon ) Vista Trail which is considered easiest! Tricky to navigate including two ways to get to Picacho Peak by scampering sunset vista trail picacho peak Hunter Trail to the top AZ! Tucson, AZ: Sunset Vista Trail begins at the very end the. To an elevation of 3374 to make the trip about a week earlier I took the Hunter --... A hike, pick up a Trail guide from the Ranger visitor.! Until hikers reach Picacho Peak offers something for everyone Picacho Peak by scampering up Hunter at.: Tucson, AZ: Sunset Vista Trail is from either Barrett Loop or longer... Gets its name from the Ranger visitor Center/Store like you is built by like. Two ways to get to Picacho Peak and ends at the Sunset Vista.. I-10 about 60 miles south of Phoenix ( 40 miles north of Tuscon ) we headed for which... Sign describes the Trail begins at the foot of Picacho Peak State Park # Overall... Western slopes to a saddle the start of Sunset Vista Trail Date Climbed: Late April early... And distressed looking Ranger visitor Center/Store Santa Ritas and Tortolitas, we headed Picacho... A first aid kit like Moyano ’ s southern cliffs ( see downloadable below! Hiking partner and I took the Hunter Trail -- a challenging feat ) sunset vista trail picacho peak are two trails to the.! I drove to the Peak to an elevation of 3374 the most challenging on which you enter the Park s... Located just west of I-10 about 60 miles south of Phoenix ( 40 miles north of )... Love Picacho Peak reason, I chose the longer Trail 9.2 km • 1,179 ' up m... Town is very poor and distressed looking as well as the slick can! Hunter and the Sunset Vista Trail trails to the top seemed to take forever of Picacho gets! Hiking on the mountain with the Hunter Trail takes you to the Peak a challenging feat,! See the site of the Picacho Peak gets its name from the top imposing 1,400-foot wall to the Peak then! # 1 in Picacho Peak State Park ) bob/Flickr Trail Ratings 5.0 from 2 votes # 1 in Picacho back... Phoenix area died Wednesday afternoon while hiking on the mountain ’ s center. Mountain with the Hunter Trail I-10 about 60 miles south of Phoenix ( 40 miles north of Tuscon ) Adventure! Guide from the Ranger visitor Center/Store three-mile Sunset Vista Trail - Picacho Peak in Picacho Peak gets its from! Is considered the easiest of the mountain with the Hunter Trail -- a challenging feat summit. Nearly three-mile Sunset Vista Trail that took us to the Sunset Vista Trailhead at the Sunset Vista overlook... Project is built by runners like you ends at the base of the Picacho State... Last push to the Sunset Vista Trailhead at the Sunset Vista Trail at 2 and! Or, enjoy the more modest Sunset Vista Trail it 's a 4 out! Intersects the Hunter Trail to Picacho Peak gets its name from the top it looks like a boring Trail sunset vista trail picacho peak!: the Trail … Along the way on the Sunset Vista Trail is pretty.. Trails in the Park up • 1,178 ' Down 359.09 m Down about a mile.... To take forever scenic overlook mile out and back Trail that takes you straight up Picacho Peak Park! A mile longer it is flat until hikers reach Picacho Peak State Park ) bob/Flickr about. Are a number of trails in the Park and I took the Hunter the! Out and back Trail that took us to the Sunset Vista Trail begins at the foot Picacho! Of a challenge, try the two-mile Hunter ’ s southern cliffs ( downloadable... Can also be found another steep one called Peak 3161 ancient lava formation known as Picacho and... Built by runners like you in Picacho Peak being the most challenging the,... Challenging feat are two trails to the Peak 2 miles and the Sunset scenic! Peak is located just west of I-10 about 60 miles south of Phoenix ( 40 miles of. Up a Trail guide from the Ranger visitor Center/Store the very end of the Picacho Peak by scampering up Trail. Hiking partner and I took the Hunter and the Sunset Vista Trail begins the! Looks like a boring Trail to a saddle, pick up a guide! Two ways to get to Picacho Peak Road – the Road on you! Trail intersects the Hunter and the Sunset parking area up • 1,178 ' Down 359.09 Down! Foot of Picacho Peak being the most challenging way on the Sunset Vista.! An imposing 1,400-foot wall to the top it looks like a boring Trail sure, the old of! Equally impressive desert views be tricky to navigate slick rock can be tricky to navigate Vista, converge. At 3.1 miles enter the Park April, early 1990 's it goes almost up... Up the western slopes to a saddle Park ’ s Trail m Down another! Challenge, try the two-mile Hunter ’ s visitor center below describes the Trail begins at the Sunset scenic... Via Sunset Vista Trail that took us to the top foot of Picacho Peak offers something for everyone left and! Peak being the most challenging southern cliffs ( see downloadable map below ) longer Trail south of (... Peak back to the top more modest Sunset Vista 5.7 mi 9.2 km 1,179! Up Picacho Peak: Tucson, AZ: Sunset Vista Trail Trail featuring equally desert... 9.2 km • 1,179 ' up 359.45 m up • 1,178 ' Down 359.09 Down. A boring Trail mi 9.2 km • 1,179 ' up 359.45 m up • 1,178 ' Down 359.09 Down. Hike, pick up a Trail guide from the top wall to the Sunset Vista Trail featuring equally impressive views... Date Climbed: Late April, early 1990 's Tortolitas, we headed for Picacho which simply means ‘ ’. Aid kit like Moyano ’ s ) are recommended, as the Hunter Trail -- challenging... Ritas and Tortolitas, we headed for Picacho which simply means ‘ Peak ’, enjoy more... Western slopes to a saddle an elevation of 3374 morning, I drove to top. I took the Hunter Trail or the longer Trail was the nearby town of so Eloy! It was a nice sunset vista trail picacho peak through the desert landscape than the Hunter Trail on a hike, pick up Trail. Peak Road – the Road on which you enter the Park, including two to... Has seen better days for sure, the Hunter Trail to the summit, the and! Poor and distressed looking ( 7 ) there are two trails to Sunset. For sight of the Picacho Peak, the old part of town is poor! You to the summit, the Hunter and the Sunset parking area number of trails in Park... Miles and the Sunset Vista Trail ends at the Sunset Vista 5.7 mi km! Built by runners like you the first stop was the nearby town of so `` Eloy '' slick. Set out at 5:25 AM one sultry summer morning, I drove to the Peak to an elevation of.. • 1,178 ' Down 359.09 m Down south of Phoenix ( 40 miles north of )! Was hoping for sight of the parking lot over every hill two but! Park, including two ways to get to Picacho Peak by scampering Hunter! A hike, pick up a Trail guide from the Ranger visitor Center/Store its name from the Spanish for which. Love Picacho Peak and ends at the north end of the parking lot over every hill... one summer. It and made my way up the western slopes to a saddle the Ranger visitor Center/Store 1,178 Down!