Arizona Highways Names
Arizona’s 10 Most Scenic Hikes
Arizona Highways, the award-winning travel
magazine with stunning photography, has named the 10 most scenic hikes
in Arizona.
In its May 2006 issue, Arizona Highways entices both residents
and visitors to spend their days amidst the very scenery the magazine
has made famous for more than 80 years.
With four Arizona hiking guides under her belt, Arizona
Highways’ editor Christine Maxa reviews her many adventures and shares
the trails that linger in her mind’s eye and keep her coming back.
The following trails have been named Arizona’s10 Most Scenic Hikes:
Nankoweap Trail - A difficult hike, this Grand
Canyon North Rim trail in the Saddle Mountain Wilderness reveals
panoramas of some of the local geological wonders: Marble Canyon,
Kaiparowits Plateau and dome-shaped Navajo Mountain. The grand finale
comes at a sweeping overlook of the Grand Canyon at mile two.
Havasu Trail - This moderate hike is the Northern
Arizona Supai Nation's world-renowned trail in western Grand
Canyon. It winds around to Havasu Creek and its blue-green water
cascade down red-walled cliffs at Havasu and Mooney Falls.
Kachina Trail - Another moderate hike located in
Flagstaff, this trail is especially popular in autumn for the Aspen
tree’s gold leaves and shows off the many facets of Flagstaff’s famed
Humphrey’s Peak without the threat of altitude sickness that can occur
when climbing the same mountain’s summit trail.
West Fork Trail - The Sedona area’s most popular hike
offers an easy trail along the West Fork of Oak Creek that threads
through orange and cream-colored sandstone cliffs, earning it a
reputation as one of the most beautiful walks in the Southwest.
Kofa Queen Road – This easy hike located in the Southwest
corner of Arizona passes under imposing cliffs filled with needle-sharp
spires, arches and small clefts. It rests finally deep in a canyon and
settles around a curious monolith.
Boulder Canyon Trail – This moderate trail located at the
edge of Greater Phoenix, northeast of Apache Junction showcases the
striking scenes of the Weaver's Needle and other stunning volcanic
formations familiar in the western Superstition Mountains.
Aravaipa Canyon – Southeastern
Arizona offers this easy but adventurous hike combining the best of the
desert and the Aravaipa Creek in one of the most biologically diverse
environments in the state.
Romero Trail – The Santa Catalina
Mountains, just outside of Tucson, is a difficult but scenically
rewarding trail for avid hikers. The path climbs from the desert
floor at the edge of Tucson up to isolated Romero Pass in the
pine-covered high country ending three miles in with of string of clear
water pools.
Echo Canyon Loop - The Echo Canyon
Loop near Wilcox, Arizona is a moderate hike through the monument's
trademark scenery of light-colored lava ash welded into fantastic
shapes. It manages to be both interesting and peaceful.
West Baldy Trail – Just west of the
New Mexico border outside of Springerville, Arizona West Baldy’s steep
slopes start along the West Fork of the Little Colorado River then enter
a fresh evergreen forest and ends at the rocky top where the harsh
elements shape the landscape. The very top of this peak remains off
limits since it is a sacred spot to the White Mountain Apache Indians.
Newsstand price for Arizona Highways is $3.99
US / $ 4.99 Canada. Subscriptions are $21 per year, $37 for two years or
$50 for three years. For more information, log onto
www.arizonahighways.com, or call 800-543-5432.
Arizona Highways magazine’s award-winning photography and travel
journalism and its steadfast commitment to discovering the state’s
treasures has brought the beauty and splendor of Arizona to visitors and
natives alike for more than 80 years. Helping to drive tourism to
and through the state, Arizona Highways has subscribers in all 50
states and more than 150 countries.
PHOENIX, AZ – Feb.15, 2006 - Arizona Highways Magazine
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