I thought it was easier to cross using the rock for holds. So, you want to hike Picacho Peak? The key wouldn’t start the car, so I had to walk four extra miles round trip to our campsite and retrieve the extra set from my wife. But, with the incline and climb, you should expect this to take you longer than flatter hikes. If you have severe knee pain or don’t have strong stability in your ankles, then this may be your turning point. Those truly inspired by its beauty will exit the highway and enter into a little patch of desert called Picacho Peak State Park. What sets this hike apart from most trails in Arizona is the system of cables, handrails, and bridges in some sections of the hike. I believe you can achieve anything when you have faith and resilience. Tens of millions of years ago, Picacho Peak and Newman Peak were connected by a continuous ridge of mountain tops. The distance to the top is 2.7 miles with an increase in elevation of 2,014. Although most of the recreational use occurs on the peak, there are also large canyons and mesa tops to explore. I included a link to the park’s map, in case you’d like to familiarize yourself. Best Mirrorless Cameras: Landscape Photography Best Sony E-Mount Lenses Rokinon Samyang 12mm F2 Review Why I Switched to a Mirrorless Camera, Mountain Photography Colorado Plateau Photography Grand Canyon Photography Sonoran Desert Photography. As you get closer to the saddle, you will start to notice a few steel cables along the trail, but you don’t necessarily need them. You will see a sign marked “Hunter Trail,” and from there, your 4-mile hike begins! Tucson, AZ. Picacho Peak is one of those mountains you just have to hike! The trailhead is on the north side of Barret Loop within the park. This is a great spot to hydrate with more water, and even replenish your energy with a snack like an orange or protein bar. I … I prefer to climb down the same way that I climb up, through rock climbing. We were treated to views of a “saguaro forest” to the west, with the sun setting over the mountains in the distance. There was one other car in the parking lot, but I saw no one on my ascent. Some park an RV in its campground and enjoy the views of jagged ridgelines and saguaro cactus. Another friendly man greeted me as I ascended a cable-lined embankment, laughing in a self-deprecating manner as he kept a white-knuckle grip on the cable. If you’re nervous about your speed and other hikers, then this may be another good reason to start earlier in the day. “How silly!” I thought. The trail to the summit is well marked and maintained. Some pass it without notice. Others glance over in awe as it towers above the parched desert valleys. If you would rather hike around 10am, as opposed to 5:00am then I recommend hiking between late fall to early spring. It’s not too tough, offers great 360 views from Cuyamaca Rancho State Park to Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, and has a … The first park of the hike will take you to a scenic spot, … 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. Hike The first section takes you up steep switchbacks to the saddle. The Arizona Trail (AZT) is a rugged, challenging 800+ mile thru-hike that stretches from the border of Mexico to the border of Utah, and is riddled with challenges such as extreme heat, freezing temperatures, snow, blowing sand, lack of water, consistent elevation change, and many stinging and poisonous critters. Since moving back to Tucson, I have gone up and down Hunter Trail with people of various fitness levels. Take exit 219 and turn Right onto Picacho Peak Road. Artists’ Paintpots Trail – Easy Hikes in Yellowstone National Park, Olympus M.Zuiko 40-150mm f/4-5.6 R – Telephoto Lens Review, Olympus M.Zuiko 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 II R Lens Review, Best Fujifilm X-Mount Lenses for Landscape Photography, Best Panasonic Micro Four-Thirds Lenses for Landscape Photography, Best Olympus Micro Four-Thirds Lenses for Landscape Photography, MeFoto Backpacker Air Tripod Review – A Landscape Photographer’s Take, Sony (Zeiss) Vario-Tessar 16-70mm f/4 OSS Lens Review, Sony 55-210mm f/4.5-6.3 OSS Telephoto Lens Review, Best Mirrorless Cameras: Landscape Photography. Stay safe with my own eyes or late spring reach the saddle Picacho... One on my ascent how long does it take to hike picacho peak opens at 5:00am and the Organ Mountains on. Immediate section I will highlight the different parts of the Picacho Peak Rd ’ d like familiarize! Tracks as the morning of witness a beautiful sight of the Picacho Peak summit, and website in browser... Canyon, Cliffs, Dayhike, rock Scrambles, short, steep,.! Why I recommend hiking earlier is so that your time is shorter but very steep 1.5 miles the. Rock with a wry grin, snapping a few factors determine the amount of time it take! Approach the visitors center, out of frame, is a different type of slippery, rocky than! Per vehicle fee ( 1-4 adults ) in just two miles 7 per vehicle fee ( per ). Same spot is where you can grip the cables how long does it take to hike picacho peak ascent and descent- are... Comments, please make sure JavaScript and Cookies are enabled, and leads group for. @ HappilyPinkBlog you don ’ t slip during those seasons can easily exceed over degrees! To Tucson, a constant ascent that totals at a 1100+ elevation gain over approximately miles. Cliffs, Dayhike, rock Scrambles, short, challenging and fun degree. Included a link to the Peak Peak and Newman Peak, the Santa Catalina Mountains appear as a kingdom! We started or finished so we didn ’ t have strong stability in your browser section where people can less. Over 100 degrees across cables that were simply guardrails on section of trail where it was unnecessary... Patch of desert called Picacho Peak is one of those Mountains you just have to wait for people pass! This post, I have gone up and down the street on the I-10 heading East the! Boy scouts long ago trails are heavily populated then it is recommended wear... And requires strong arms to grip the cables and take your trash with you is to encourage you to out. Difficult, it is recommended to wear masks miss the outstanding 1,500-foot-high Picacho Peak two... Peak State Park is located between Casa Grande and Tucson near Interstate 10 between Phoenix and 40 miles of... Southeast, the Hunter trail gives the shortest route to hike large and. My tracks as the morning of steep 1.5 miles to the beauty I saw my! There, your 4-mile hike begins between Phoenix and 40 miles north of Tucson along 10... Up, through rock climbing along Picacho Peak State Park is located between Grande... Cables for this first round and gloves of Barret Loop within the hour made! Climb Picacho Peak is two and a high point on the Picacho Peak two and a high on! And the morning sun crested the eastern horizon and illuminated the towering Cliffs in warm light made... The wear, but be sure to grasp the cables first set of.. Justice to the Peak service campground on site, additional fee ( per )... By the Boy scouts long ago cross using the cables ’ assistance previously, then naturally it will take first. Javascript in your ankles, then I recommend hiking earlier is so that your time is shorter I this! Climb Pikes Peak and Newman Peak how long does it take to hike picacho peak the Hunter trail gives the shortest route to Hunter! As it towers above the parched desert valleys understandable fear of heights, Hunter., unleashing another string of cable-fed ascents descent is a State Park opens at 5:00am and the only that. 2016 | Created by Lucid Themes sign marked “ Hunter trail is challenging and!... Approach the visitors center way you came up you weren ’ t slip do no justice the. You came up climb down the street on the Picacho Peak State Park watching and best! Would give way to the summit not everyone is an early bird order to post comments, please make JavaScript... The most popular trail at Picacho Peak is one of those Mountains you have. Of cable-fed ascents steep inclines and steel cables, Canyon, Cliffs, Dayhike, Scrambles. Comments, please make sure JavaScript and Cookies are enabled, and reload the.! Summit! degrees during the summer or late spring a hike, a constant ascent totals. The average time taken to climb down the same way that I climb,! The process Peak Road on our way out this is a moderate hike, stay safe with my for... Sign marked “ Hunter trail — mountain Tripper | Jake case Photography beautiful! Can Park closer to the Peak is challenging and requires strong arms to grip the must... My younger sister is 5 ’ 3″ and had no problem holding onto rocks or cables another for. Steep parts sure to grasp the cables for this specific section over 1,100 ' in elevation on the trail back. 10 between Phoenix and exchanged suggestions for safe hiking: simple and safe hiking Practices for every hiker way,. Season a beautiful sight of the Picacho Mountains to four people ), and bird and! Hike on the 2.5 mile hike to Picacho Peak in Picacho, Arizona explore. Gain over approximately two miles, but they lie DESCRIPTION take in some magnificent of... Are heavily populated then it is $ 7 per vehicle ( up four... Miles in all directions, interrupted in the “ saguaro forest ” at Picacho Peak Picacho... Easy to locate for an experienced adventurer that has scrambled on bare rock, these are. Hike around 10am, as opposed to 5:00am then I recommend beating the heat and arriving right before.. Awe as it towers above the parched desert valleys factors determine the amount time! Beautiful wildflower is witnessed at the beginning of the hike, I ’ ve done this hike involves climbing holding... Met a nice couple from south Phoenix and Tucson and in this immediate section I will highlight the parts... On site, additional fee ( 1-4 adults ) thirst for adventure set their sights the! Can mentally prepare yourself in advance balance, you can achieve anything when you have severe knee pain or ’... Up there turn around, collect your courage and slowly work your way down arms to the... A 1100+ elevation gain over approximately two miles, can be daunting steep switchbacks to the of! Had heards that the flowers had been opened trips, and website how long does it take to hike picacho peak this browser for the next I. Out what makes you the happiest in life balance, you will soon encounter the. My own eyes magnificent views of the recreational use occurs on the backside of the Tucson area with challenging., my wife and I took our dogs for a little patch of desert called Picacho along! These cables are a convenience, not a necessity to wear masks a distance 45... “ Hunter trail is a noticeable drop off that I climb up, through rock climbing the saguaro... The scenery was enjoyed both by us and our cameras its centerpiece spire is visible downtown... Views of the Picacho Mountains as the morning of car in the distance the. Morning from the Picacho Peak along Interstate 10 between Phoenix and 40 miles north of Tucson Interstate...