Recommendations for High-Summer Trips in Arizona

A few ideas around the state, the first two of which I’ve done several times:

Mount Baldy Loop – beautiful area, good campsites with water near the creeks, trailhead is easy to reach by rental car. Be careful of afternoon thunderstorms – lots of lightning. Temps are some of the coolest in AZ: https://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=531

Wilderness of Rocks on Mt Lemmon – part of the Arizona Trail, water in the creek in select locations, good campsites, can make semi-loops with surrounding trails. A little warmer and can have intense thunderstorms. Drive up Mt Lemmon is great and easy for any car: https://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=244

Cabin Loop – fairly popular, but I don’t think it’s as scenic as the other two. Also not in a Wilderness area: https://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=797

Awesome, thanks John!

Mt Baldy looks like it might be a winner.

Just my $.02 but I think you have a high likelihood of experience intense thunderstorms around Baldy in mid-August. They can be fun and beautiful but extremely intense. Think carefully about your choice of shelters. I like a hammock in those conditions because I’m above the wet ground and you get an excellent lounging spot to view the storm while sipping tea.

Here is the morning after one such storm, just a few miles from Baldy on the West Fork Black River.

The Cabin Loop is my favorite trail in AZ. It doesn’t have long scenic views but it provides a nonstop collection of pleasant vignettes. The diversity of plants and geology on this loop always impresses me.

North Kiabab Plateau, which is the high country north of GCNP. AZT runs through it. Elevation is 9,000′ plus for most of the way. Long drive though. Take highway 89 north from Flag and cross the Colorado river at Marble Canyon. Get a good map of the area. REI carries them. I like the North Kiabab better than the Mogollon Rim myself, but a lot of people avoid it because of the drive. Incredible in Summer.

Great picture, Matthew. I think I might recognize that meadow.

This is my favorite picture from the Baldy area, the morning after a stormy day/night:

Thanks Everyone!

Alas, the North Kiabab Plateau is probably further than I want to drive (on this particular trip anyways).

A Hammock seems like a great idea with the high probability of thunderstorms. I actually haven’t busted my Hammock out in a few years as most of my recent trips have been desert or alpine terrain. I do love a good hang.