Product Description
Newest in a series of popular outdoor guides by Cosmic Ray, Hiking Phoenix details 50 of the best of the best day hikes in and around Phoenix. Clear, bold, easy-to-read and down-to-earth maps will connect you from freeway to trailhead and then guide you along the way as you explore the desert trails.

The hikes are for all levels of ability. The accompanying verbal descriptions include a quick view contour profile showing elevation change over distance so you can see what you are in for at a glance. Choose your hike with solid information about distance, time, difficulty, level of route finding skill, best season to hike, view wildflowers or whether to take along the family pooch.

There is a fun guide to the types of cactus found in this beautiful Sonoran desert, a chart depicting what to expect from the weather and a very helpful up-to-date overview map of the Phoenix freeway system.

Hikes range from urban trail areas like Camelback, Squaw (Piestewa) Peak, South Mountain, Pinnacle Peak and the Phoenix Mountains to trails all the way out in the White Tank, Usery and Superstition Mountains. To help you choose from so many hikes, there is a special icon used to depict a few certain trails that are super favorites, worth a far journey and not to be missed. There are also a half dozen cooler high country hikes with creeks and pools shown for when the Arizona desert gets cooking.

All in all, the book is done in a humorous, cartoony, entertaining style that will add to the enjoyment of any adventure. The bright attractive cover and rounded corners on this volume make it a perfect companion that fits in your pocket or pack, full of useful information on hiking in this most unique part of the planet.

CUSTOMER REVIEWS (Average Customer Rating: 5.0 based on 6 reviews)

Great Book!

I make about 2 trips to Phoenix every year and this book has been great for finding fun hikes for my family. Cosmic Ray has many great tips and accurate descriptions of every trail that we have hiked. This book has made my family's trips to Phoenix so much more enjoyable. I highly recommend it if you plan any hikes in the Phoenix area.
January 16, 2008

Cosmic Ray Rocks

I have both hiking books--Best of Phoenix and Best of Flagstaff/Sedona. In fact, I am on my second copy of both as I have lent my first Phoenix copy to a friend (it disappeared) and wore out the first copy of my the Flagstaff/Sedona book. The maps are easy to follow and the topographical maps are awesome. Whenever I go hiking, I have two little girls (ages 1 and 4) in tow, so it is necessary to know the terrain inside and out before ever leaving home... Cosmic Ray is so detailed and so accurate that I never worry about being misinformed. Buy a copy for yourself and buy one for a friend... That way yours won't go missing!
March 30, 2006

beautiful places

I recently moved out here from the UK to Arizona. I was whining to my father (when he was visiting) that a lot of people had told me there's nowhere to go hiking around Phoenix and I was finding that hard to believe given how much open space there is around Phoenix.
Anyway, we were in a book shop when he pointed out this book. I bought it instantly and have so far enjoyed five of this guide's hikes . . . and have found some beautiful places thank's to Ray's help. I just wanted to thank the author for making me realise that not all of this country is owned and fenced off and there are some places you can go where you feel as if you're walking where no one else has! Great book.
November 06, 2004

excellent guide - very accurate

Ray's description and map of the hike at Pinnacle Peak is very accurate. Telling folks that dogs are not allowed, when flowers bloom and especially staying on the trail are great reminders for people. Ray has taken the time to obtain updated information. It is a great guide and we are using our copy constantly at Pinnacle Peak Park as hikers ask questions about other hikes in the area. Thanks for including Pinnacle Peak and the excellent write up on this area.
February 26, 2004

Love the humor and maps

We live near Casa Grande, Arizona. We just purchased Hiking Phoenix and used it hiking at Lost Dutchman State Park in The Superstition Mountains. We love the humor as well as the wonderful maps. Also, we love the cactus identification.
February 23, 2004

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