Picacho Peak State Park — Attraction in Four Corners States

Very beautiful, very challenging. Very small area to sit once you summit. Do not bring dogs, do not bring children, do not try to get to the top if you are out of shape or unsure of your hiking skills, didn't bring at least light gardening gloves and really good hiking shoes. There are sections that you will need your upper body strength to basically pull yourself up. While I was there, cables were out in some places so you were straight-up free climbing. The trail is pretty well marked, but I got confused in places. There are some places with very steep fall offs.

People have died here-- due to dehydration. Bring way more water than you think you need. It's crazy as a Midwesterner, but you never really get uncomfortable until it is too late. The locals told me this, but I didn't believe it until I took off my pack and it was literally dripping wet with sweat, but my body was completely dry. People do get injured here, though. A man earlier in the day had to be rescued because he went over the side and broke multiple bones.

Remember-- when you get to the top, you still have to get back down. Which is way harder, especially considering that the cables were out in areas and you are free climbing down. Take it slow, because there are areas with lots of loose gravel. Take it slow and take breaks on your way up so you have the energy to get back down.

It was very congested in January when I was there, which was annoying, but also nice because I knew if I got injured, there were plenty of people around.

Rewarding? Yes. But know yourself. If you start to think it's too hard, it only gets harder, turn around. The saddle is absolutely beautiful and I actually liked it better than the summit. Bring lots and lots and lots of water and some food, and give yourself enough time to get up and back down before...

This review is particularly for the Hunter's Trail to the summit.

First off, if you plan to go to the top please bring appropriate gear: 2 liters of H2O, trail shoes (not nikes), and for anyone without much experience climbing- gloves may be needed.

The trail begins right away with some light bouldering and a steady ascent of nearly 1000' in half a mile as you climb towards the base of the first pitches of the mountain, which itself is the remnants of a lost volcano.

You'll have a small respite here along the base of the ridge and a chance to reflect on the next 1000' of elevation gain to be done, then begin a short hike up to the saddle.

At the saddle the trail continues down the south side pitch with the help of a set of cables. Note the grade and remember you have to climb back outta this crack later. Its steep.

And heres why I mentioned trail shoes earlier. Everywhere on this mountain is loose rock scree. You're climbing above people and also near shear ledges. I'm all for personal freedom, but if you're on this trail without proper gear you're endangering others as well as yourself...

Now you're on the SE side of the mountain and crossing over to ascend a new set of cables. Again, bring gloves. We went during fair weather and were ok without, but I imagine in the 100 degree summer there'll be lots more sweaty palms.

After 3 or 4 sets of cables you'll come up over a ridge and the landscape will open up in front of you for miles on your way to the summit.

Pack it in and pack it...

We've stayed here about a half dozen times in the last 20 years. It's our favorite park in south AZ. Good for a night or a couple. Sites are good size, easy to get into, ours was level. All roads and sites are asphalt. Ours had one of the new shelters over the table. But the roof is small and it is 11ft high so it doesn't shade the table or keep it dry in the rain. It's really just cosmetic. Bathrooms are clean, showers get hot, but water pressure is low. There are several trails as well as guided hikes. There is a little store at the entrance with souvenirs and ice cream. Staff were friendly and helpful. But they don't wear uniforms any more, just t-shirts. Park is very unsafe, no police presence or enforcement rangers. Generators not allowed in park. And there is no water in the park, even the drinking fountains are turned off. The A,B,C loops all have electric. There is the Bobcat Rustic loop that is just dry camping and a pit toilet but is only $15. I tried to get into that but it was under construction when I went online and tried to book so all reservations were blocked for that loop. Next time that is what we'll pick. Whatever work they were doing is now done in that loop. Though there is construction elsewhere in the park. Despite proximity to the train and the freeway the park is very quiet. We spent new years eve here because we wanted to avoid fireworks and gunfire. We've never had drunken revelers or loud music here. We camped at Picacho Peak State Park in a...