Picacho Peak Sunset Vista Trail
Click on photograph to enlarge
Total hiking distance covered (accurate to within 21 feet per the GPS) 6.03 Miles
Total time on trail 4 hrs 33 minutes
Total moving time 3 hours 02 minutes
Maximum elevation 3,390 feet
Starting elevation 1,226 feet
Total ascent 2,067 feet
Picacho Peak Sunset Vista Trail is the longer of the trails at Picacho Peak State Park. The park is located just south of Casa Grande on Interstate 10, about half way between Phoenix and Tucson. The trail is located at the north end of the park. There are portable restrooms in the parking area just before the trailhead parking lot. As you star along the trail it is fairly easy with graded steps using railroad ties every so often. Although you do gain some elevation, the grades are slight.
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| Anita at the trailhead | Some of the hikers |
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| Up the trail | A view of the valley |
You will traverse a number of dry washes but the trail remains easy to follow. After approximately 1.6 miles from the trail head you will start the initial ascent. The climb becomes switch backs and is slippery in places due to loose rocks. Just before the junction with the Hunter Trail, (a steeper but shorter trail) you approach the first challenge. A steep rock face of about 50 to 60 feet. There are footholds along the face but the handholds consist of two cables supported like rails on each side. From this point to the summit, I would recommend wearing gloves. I found that my weight lifting gloves were perfect because they have extra padding in the palms where you need it, and also grip the cables securely.
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| The peak looms ahead | Getting Steeper |
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| Break time | We came up that? |
At the junction, the trail is well marked and you continue to the right and up the trail. From this point on and for the next mile or so, the trail becomes a real challenge. If anyone has acrophobia, I would not recommend they proceed any further up the trail. You will have another number of ascents up along the very steep cliffs with cable on one side, and a fence to keep you from going over the edge on the other. There is even one place where you will have to hike across a small narrow bridge (with a hand rail) the make it any farther. When you get to within a quarter mile of the summit the trail calms to a few more switch backs which may be slippery, but not very difficult. Once at the summit, the view is spectacular. A hiker can see from Phoenix to Tucson on a clear day.
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| If there's a trail here I can't see it! | Here it is! |
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| Don't slip! | Here we go again! |
After resting at the summit for a while you must make the descent back to the trail head. In the areas of the cables, you must proceed slowly and make sure your footing is good as well as your grip on the cables. For safety's sake, do not try to move too fast going down the cables. Upon arriving at the trail head after the hike, you will have the satisfaction that you have conquered one of the more difficult trails in the area. You will have seen some amazing sights, and may be a little sore the next morning, but it sure is worth it.
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| This is getting to be fun! | From down there huh! |
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| Aha, the top! | Look, you can see Squaw Peak! |
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| We made it! | It was worth it! |
One additional recommendation I might make is that if you have time to plan for this hike, a little strength train will make it much more enjoyable. If you don't have the time, make the hike anyway, you'll love it!
The Hikers
Ira Ungar Anita Niswonger Richard Niswonger
Sheryl Campanile Pat Campanile Eve Simon
Richelle Handy Elena Stewart Karen Babb
Tom Babb Curt Renz Larry Wayt
Larry Wayt (larry@live2hike.org)