We are heading to the tail end of Quartzite, and then we would like to spend 2 weeks camping in Arizona and New Mexico. Can you dreamers share your favorite spots? We mostly like to hike, preferable with some hills or mountains in the mix. Thank you! -Matt

I haven't actually done much hiking in AZ yet, but I spent a fair amount of time researching it, and was planning on spending at least a week hiking in the Superstition Mountains near Apache Junction. We were going to stay at Lost Dutchman state park. There are tons of trails there of varying degrees of difficulty.
We Have hiked in the Dragoon Mtns, near Benson, AZ, which was home to Cochise and his Apaches, so there is history there. We also love hiking in Chiricahua National Monument. There is a 7 mile hike there that is great. That's near Willcox, AZ. There aren't tons of trails but the ones they have are great.
One of my all time favorite hikes is Picacho Peak. There is a great state park there too: Picacho Peak SP. The trail is about 7 miles long and involves some cable work-just enough to make it fun. heres a link to my blogpost showing details of that trail
http://soos-ontheroad.blogspot.com/2011/01/picacho-peak-state-park-az-anatomy-of.html

here are the links to websites I found helpful:
http://hikearizona.com/
http://www.arizonahikingtrails.com/
http://www.azcentral.com/travel/hiking/

I had great plans, but on our second hike of the year, I fell and broke my wrist, so no hiking for me for a while.
let me know if there is anything else you want to know from me..and have FUN!

Sue




-- Edited by soos on Tuesday 10th of January 2012 07:03:44 PM

I second Chiricahua National Monument. Sabino Canyon in Tucson can be fun too.

If you go to Sabino Canyon definitely do "seven falls". You can hike on a dirt path up four miles and back down. There's also great hiking, 7-8 miles, at Saguaro National Park and Madero Canyon. Great sites ...

Wow, These are great tips! Are any of these sights good foe desert flowers too?

Might see flowers in Saguro or Sabino but not likely in Chiricahra. Highly recommend Chriricahra.(about 45 minutes off of I-10 thru Willcox....no services bring lunch)

Hiking....Sedona in the Red Rocks! So many great hikes in the area. February may be a little early for spring flowers. Just please be prepared, take warm jacket-temp regularly drops 30 degrees at night, cell, lots of water, trail maps, energy bars, signaling device (mirror/cd) as much of the area is out of cell range, and let someone know where you're headed and when you're expected to return. Good advice anywhere but SO volunteers with search & rescue and regularly go out to retrieve unprepared tourists. They love to tell them they've been rescued by a bunch of guys on Medicare!
Enjoy our beautiful state!
Also Palo Duro state park in Texas is beautiful.