Hikes and Excursions for you and your guests
You can access a printable PDF version of this page by clicking HERE.
Most of the hikes discussed here are found in detail on this website. You do not need to be a member of the club to access this hike information.
PLEASE, FOR YOUR SAFETY BRING PLENTY OF WATER ON ALL HIKES.
1. Hikes close to Sun City Anthem at Merrill Ranch
A. Poston Butte (S) (Hike Details Link)
Distance from Sun City Anthem (SCA) Union Center: 4 miles
Hike length: 2 miles. This is a hike to the summit and back.
Elevation: 300 feet
B. San Tan Mountain Regional Park
Distance from SCA Union Center: 10 to 12 miles
Hike length/elevation: Multiple trails to consider (see below). Requires entrance fee $7.00 per car or Maricopa County Pass where you will receive a trail map.
Phone: (602) 506-2930 ext. 7
Website: https://www.maricopacountyparks.net/park-locator/san-tan-mountain-regional-park/
a. San Tan – Moonlight Trails (S) (Hike Details Link)
Hike Length: 2 mile loop
Elevation: 200 feet
b. San Tan – Goldmine Loop (S) (Hike Details Link)
Hike length: 3.6 miles
Elevation: 300 feet
C. Casa Grande National Monument
Distance from SCA Union Center: 9 miles
This is a great place to learn about the ancient people that farmed this area. The Monument is located in Coolidge on the corner of Route 87 and 287. Entrance fee.
Website: https://www.nps.gov/cagr/index.htm
2. Trails close by the town of Superior Arizona
Distance from SCA Union Center: 31 miles
A. Arizona trail (AZT) – Picketpost South (S) (Hike Details Link)
Trail is at the base of Picketpost Mountain
Hike length: 2-3 miles
Elevation: 300 feet
B. Boyce Thompson Arboretum
A lovely place to hike among large trees and a variety of desert flora. Entrance fee. Take US 60 east toward Superior. You will see a sign on the right announcing the entrance to the Arboretum.
Website: https://www.btarboretum.org/
3. Usery Mountain Regional Park (North Mesa)
Distance from SCA Union Center: 40 miles
Entrance fee: $7.00/car or a Maricopa county pass. You will receive a trail map when you pay your fee.
Website: https://maricopacountyparks.org/usery
A. Cats Peak Loops Trail (S) (Hike Details Link)
Hike length: 2.5 miles
Elevation: 200 feet
B. Wind Cave (CI) (Hike Details Link)
This is a more strenuous hike. You will hike to a cave with a great view.
Hike length: 4 miles
Elevation: 400 feet
4. Superstition Mountain
Distance from SCA Union Center: 37 miles
A. Hieroglyphic Trail (CI) (Hike Details Link)
Trail leads to a waterfall, pool, and cliff with ancient petroglyphs scratched into the rock. This is a more strenuous hike and very rocky.
Hike length: 3 to 4 miles
Elevation: 600 feet
5. Tucson Arizona area
Distance from SCA Union Center: 70 to 80 miles
A. Sabino Canyon
Entrance fee per car or National Parks Pass. Has a shuttle bus that goes up and down the canyon and stops at certain areas along the way. May be an extra fee for the shuttle bus. Located in the Santa Catalina Mountains. There are many hikes in this area, short, intermediate and long.
Website: http://sabinocanyon.com/
B. Catalina State Park
Entrance fee $ 7.00/car or State Park pass. Get a map at entrance that shows multiple hiking trails.
Website: https://azstateparks.com/catalina/things-to-do/trails
a. Dripping Springs (CI) (Hike Details Link)
This trail has several shallow water crossings
Hike length: 4 miles
Elevation: 300 feet
6. Sedona Arizona area
Distance from SCA Union Center: 180 to 185 miles
A. Sedona – Bell Rock – Courthouse Loop (CI) (Hike Details Link)
Popular loop hike around Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte. Requires a parking fee, or National Park Pass or Red Rock Pass
Hike length: 4 miles
Elevation: 200 feet
B. Sedona – Fay Canyon (S) (Hike Details Link)
Requires a parking fee or National Pass or Rock Pass
Hike length: 2.5 miles through a beautiful shady canyon
Elevation: 200 feet