Outdoor Adventures to be Had

Hiking is something I really enjoy doing. It’s a great way to get out of the house, get some fresh air, and enjoy nature. This summer I really wanted to do some hiking. I wanted to try some different trails so of course I hit up the World Wide Web for some more information. On Arizonaguide.com from the Arizona Office of Tourism I found a ton of places that sounded fun and exciting. This website is great if you’re looking for something to do around the state. Here are just a few trails that caught my interest and that I would love to go check out sometime.

1. Apache Maid Trail. Sedona
Apache Maid Trail skirts the rim of Wet Beaver Creek Canyon, one of the scenic red rock gorges that cut the southern rim of the Colorado Plateau. The trail starts at the mouth of the canyon and continues up this picturesque drainage, offering glimpses of the clear, cool stream, until it branches off from the Bell Trail to climb the canyon's north wall. Once atop the basalt flows that form a caprock in this area, the Apache Maid Trail winds along primitive jeep tracks across the grassy, juniper flats. From the trail, the canyon appears off to your right as an eroded rift in the ancient lava flow.

2. Humphreys Trail. Flagstaff
This steep mountain trail leads to the highest point in Arizona. If you consider it merely as a means to that end, however, you'll miss much of the reason to come here. Along its 4.5 mile course, a thriving alpine forest streaked with huge rock slides and avalanche tracks hugs the mountain's slopes. Scenic Hart Prairie stretches out the base of the incline and the Grand Canyon is easily visible on the horizon.

3. Kartchner Caverns State Park. Benson
Kartchner Caverns boasts many world-class features that have been protected since the cave was discovered in 1974. Kartchner Caverns State Park offers visitors to this very popular attraction both a cave tour and an opportunity to experience the site's excellent Discovery Center. All caves tours are guided by a park interpreter. Guests will be taken to the Throne and Rotunda rooms. The tour is one-third of a mile in length and the complete tour will last approximately 60 minutes, 45 minutes of which are in the cave.
These are a just a few of very many trails that are all around Arizona. I’m hoping to at least hit one these trails and see how they are in person. Hiking is so much fun so if you ever think about visiting a trail make sure to look at the Arizona Guide from the Arizona Office of Tourism. Hope this little gives you some insight and encouragement to get out there and hike! It’s a ton of fun! Have a great day everyone!

Lonni Summers