sunset trail

The trailhead is the last stop in the road in the state park and fewer people started here. Most other hikers started from Hunter's trail. We had the ramada to ourselves when tail gating/picnicking afterwards. We don't bypass climbing the cables or anything as the trails converge towards the peak. Must haves are 3 liters of water and extra bottles because others may run out, gel energy in warm weather, and intact hiking boots/shoes. My husband boots were old and the soles were cracking. He opted to turn back at the cables. You have to be able to hold with your toes and push up while holding cables. This trail is marked difficult and 6 miles with elevation gain.

This trail goes behind Picacho Peak and is relatively flat for the first 2 miles (it's advertised as 3.1 miles). Then, you have to climb up (starting at the 2 mile mark) from relatively low on the peak to the top in just 1 mile! Interesting as a different hike if you're used to the other trail.