Hunter Trail

If you are an experienced hiker who loves a challenge, you will love the Hunter Trail hike. You hike up the Picacho Peak and even though it is short, there are plenty of cliffs and rocky slopes. Some areas feature cables that ease the climb. After heading up the nearly 3,400-foot peak, you arrive at a panoramic summit. You can see the top of the peak from Interstate 10 when driving from Phoenix to Tucson. Before there were marked roads in the area, the peak served as a point of interest that helped travelers navigate from one area to another. From a distance, the peak seems as if it would be impossible to climb, but it is actually a fairly quick hike, even though it is challenging. You reach the trail through Picacho Peak State Park and head toward the east side of the mountain. This is the least aggressive way to begin your climb because the angle is more subtle. When you reach the summit you will have a 360 degree view of the area below. History buffs will also love visiting Hunter Trail because it was the site of the only Civil War battle in Arizona that occurred in 1862. While climbing will be more comfortable during the cooler months, many of the vegetation does not bloom until the temperatures soar.