Amazing. Rated difficult (and it was). The steep climb to the saddle is followed immediately by a steep but short descent. The hike up Picacho Peak on Hunter Trail is short but rated as difficult. At just about the one mile mark the trail turns sharply right and traverses the base of a cliff until reaching a saddle between the main peak and a smaller one to the northwest. There are five hiking trails on the mountain with the Hunter Trail to Picacho Peak being the most challenging. At that time the trail was used to maintain a 40-foot high, air traffic beacon on the summit. Florence, AZ. During hotter times of year and towards the middle of the day, the heat can make the trek up pretty brutal. It is a small park with trails, scenic views and gorgeous sunsets. This hike is within the boundaries of Picacho Peak State Park. It really made for a peaceful and relaxing stay. Before starting on a hike, pick up a trail guide from the Ranger Visitor Center/Store. Picacho Peak State Park boasts multiple trails, but the most popular is likely the Hunter's Trail. Hike The first section takes you up steep switchbacks to the saddle. Making its place in history, Picacho Peak was a major landmark on the Butterfield Trail … Picacho Peak is located just west of I-10 about 60 miles south of Phoenix (40 miles north of Tuscon). There is a very obvious sign next to the correct trail that says “Hunter Trail To the Top of the Peak”. Picacho Peak State Park is a state park surrounding Picacho Peak in Picacho, Arizona.The park is located between Casa Grande and Tucson near Interstate 10 in Pinal County.Its centerpiece spire is visible from downtown Tucson, a distance of 45 miles (72 km). It’s a 4 mile out and back trail that takes you straight up to the Peak. The Outbound Mind 625 views. Picacho Peak's incredible cliffs inched closer as we continued through the wash. A bit under a mile into the hike, a social trail leaves the main wash and follows a ridge, heading generally northwest. This is the easier of the two peak hikes. This is a unique trail with cables and handrails placed by the Boy scouts long ago. The most common one is Hunter ‘s Trail, which in my opinion is more fun just because of the diversity of the trail as you climb to the top. And I cried. Picacho Peak State Park is an easy day trip off Interstate 10 from accommodations in Tucson (44 miles) and Phoenix (75 miles). The snow hasn't let go yet – and in fact the trail I chose for a walk on Sunday had some thick patches of corn snow in the shady places. This area is also the setting of the only Civil War battle fought in Arizona. Hotels, Lodging & Camping. Access to Hunter Trail is from either Barrett Loop or the longer Sunset Vista Trail. Enjoy the view as you hike the trails that wind up the peak and, often in … With your first step from the trailhead, you’ll start a gradual climb up a rocky slope dotted with saguaros, creosote bushes and paloverde trees. Embark on a culture blog and the sky's the limit, right?I discovered this the hard way when I volunteered to write about a hike.I hiked Picacho Peak. In all the years we’ve been coming to Arizona we must have driven past it dozens of times without once thinking it could be hiked. A visitor center, monument and interpretive signage and trails are located inside the park. Mountain Biking Picacho Peak Recreation Area Add a review #208 of 280 mountain bike trails in New Mexico #10942 in the world. This is usually a half-day excursion excursion. King Canyon Trail. Picacho Peak is a prominent 3,374-foot peak along I-10 in southern Arizona. Picacho, AZ. Hiking Picacho Peak via Hunter Trail. Take exit 219 and follow the brown signs to the park entrance. Picacho Trail (jeep trail) as it departs the confluence of arroyos for the peak. Picacho Peak State Park. From Phoenix drive south on I-10. Marana, AZ. Picacho Peak via Hunter Trail Overview. This hike provides exceptional 360-degree views of the valleys surrounding the peak as well as many other significant mountain peaks and ranges in the area. Today’s trail – built in 1968 when Picacho Peak became a state park – starts on the north side of the peak, ascends to the saddle, slides down and around a secondary peak to connect with the original CCC trail on the south. Picacho SRA. The Mountain features spectacular views of the New Mexico and Las Cruces landscape in every direction. Total Nerdery. This trail intersects the Hunter Trail at the base of the mountain’s southern cliffs (see downloadable map below). California State Recreation Area. It calls for a fair amount of scrambling and maneuvering with cables along steep ledges and gains elevation pretty quickly. We were there for five days during the week and the campground was almost empty. 2.7 miles. We paid the $7 State Park admission and parked a short distance from the visitor center near some bathrooms, strategically so they were close-by after our 6.6-mile loop hike. Resources Hike up Picacho Peak near Tucson, Arizona. Sunset Vista Trail takes you on a pleasant and colorful 3.1 miles on the south side of Picacho to the peak. Tucson, AZ. Picacho Peak. Dec 7, 2020 - Visitors traveling along I-10 in southern Arizona can’t miss the prominent 1,500-foot peak of Picacho Peak State Park. 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. It is a reasonably steady climb, rising the 1,210 feet in 2 miles; up the arroyo, over a ridge and across another arroyo, then up a ridgeline to the peak. Last Saturday, we took the exit off I-10 and conquered Picacho Peak. The Sunset Trail with the peak in the background. The trail is in good condition throughout; only a few sections that are steeper over large rocks. View in Trail Finder. I've been wanting to do this hike since I moved to Tucson a year and a half ago. Instead, there is a ridge descending from the summit to the north-west. February through early April offers the best rewards. From the top it looks like a boring trail. ... Picacho Peak Recreation Area Trail map . Hiking Picacho Peak via the Hunter Trail. ... Full Hike: Uniquely Shaped Picacho Peak Near Tucson, Arizona - Duration: 1:42:20. Located on the Colorado River 18 miles down a dirt road. THE DALE BALL TRAILS: PICACHO PEAK The view into the Santa Fe Range from Picacho Peak It's finally that time of year when anybody stimulated and made restless by the first warm weather we've had all year begins to turn their thoughts to - Hiking! Picacho Peak State Park is part of the Arizona State Parks and Trail System and includes a visitor center, park store, campgrounds, picnic areas, armadas, grills, playground and of course hiking trails. There is a decent amount of parking, but by 10 a.m. the lot got pretty full. This trail is well marked and located between the Tucson and Phoenix areas. Help us get it on the map. Distance: 4 miles Season: Year-round Water: No Trail Conditions: Excellent This is a favorite out-and-back hike for Santa Fe locals. When in season a beautiful wildflower is witnessed at the beginning of the trail. Parents and guardians, please use your best judgment. Picacho Peak is where the most western battle took place in the Civil war. Picacho Peak via Hunter Trail - Eloy, AZ - January 2011 A Romain. Picacho Peak State Park has signage that states no children under 10 for Hunter's Trail, but I did see some children on the trail. Sonoran Desert National Monument We don't have a location for this trailhead yet. There are two ways to get to Picacho Peak. Activities We recommend avoiding the summer months or … Picacho Peak via the Hunter Trail Description The hike begins on the floor of the Sonoran Desert as you begin ascending toward the walls of the peak. Picacho Peak (3,370 feet / 1,027 m) sits hard up against Interstate 10 between Tucson and Phoenix, Arizona. There's a small fee to enter the Picacho Peak State Park (as of April 2009, the fee was $6). Hunter Trail is … The summit rises to 3,374 feet (1,028 m) above mean sea level. The Hunter Trail, a 4-mile round-trip trek, is strenuous (steel cables and planks are in place for the steepest parts), but worth the dazzling view at the summit. Hunter 's Trail the Picacho Peak State Park we have stayed in so far the saddle is followed immediately a. So far it departs the confluence of arroyos for the Peak No longer appears a! 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