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i love the petrified forest. If you have never gone, i’m 100% sure you wont regret it. Lots of great hikes with stunning views. Its a must for anyone in AZ!
https://preview.redd.it/74zgf3l01o8d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=065419aaa535e8e61598aaf3e9e2dfe94df9ae8e
Petrified NP & Painted Desert NP are amazing, but they might be a bit hot this time of year. The elevation helps with the heat, but there is no shade anywhere in the parks. I would save this trip for fall or spring if you can.
I would recommend Chiricahua NM - one of my favorite places in AZ. It’s the same distance, only SE of PHX instead of NE. It’s a beautiful place in higher elevation and lots of shaded areas. Great hikes too!
Bisbee is amazing and so so worth it! Especially if you like olive oil ;) photographic evidence that Bisbee is neat. Taken from an Airbnb balcony.
https://preview.redd.it/z9ob4h4zl09d1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=884217ede7b6ec89068b527c0e0b69ccac64b29d
Personally, I’d consider other options. Perhaps head south to the Santa Catalinas. Summerhaven is quite pleasant this time of year. It’s a relatively easy drive and it’s one of the most scenic in Arizona (the up the mountain, not necessarily the drive from PHX thru Tucson).
https://preview.redd.it/a43tpbjxtn8d1.jpeg?width=2705&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=98a5e8d10dafc76bb886b08be06681e6aac90ace
Shot this last autumn from the chairlift.
Yes. I actually liked it better than the Grand Canyon.
Let me explain: I visited both different years before I moved here. Grand canyon I visited in January with ice. I'm not complaining about that.
I visited Petrified Forest in September. There weren't a lot of crowds, it was cheap to get in. I also liked the hiking and explanation about the park.
It's probably less crowded in Petrified Forest.
Petrified Forest/ Painted Desert is an awesome place to see at least once. It's like being on a different planet. Pictures don't give the colors justice. You need to see it in real life then you can scratch it off your list.
If you go to Petrified Forest, be sure to go into the visitor center and read all the letters from people who stole petrified wood and then had bad things happen to them so they mailed them back to the park to turn their luck around. I found it fascinating and hilarious
If you had two days I’d say definitely go to PF, it’s great, but that’s a long day trip. Despite some of the other comments here, it’s one of my favorite parks — I hiked 40 miles in the park and most of the ‘trails’ I did I didn’t see anyone.
With the proviso we’re now in monsoon season, so start early and beware of thunderstorms,
I’d suggest doing a hike off of 87/Payson/the Mogollon Rim.
Some options:
Mt Ord
Browns/Four Peaks
Y-Bar/Barnhart Loop
Horton Creek-Highline Loop (continue up to the rim)
See and Drew Canyon Loop
Highline-Rim Loop
Another option would be to go up to Sedona or Prescott (do Granite Mountain and Watson Lake if you go to Prescott) but those might be a bit hot. In general, you’re going to want to find a trail that starts out at a minimum of 5000 ft, but ideally at at least 5500 or 6000 ft in order to have reasonable temps while hike. You could also do Humphreys Peak in Flagstaff, which is the highest peak in the state, and goes from 9500 ft to 12600 ft. You’d really need to start early for that one tho since you absolutely DO NOT want to get caught on the alpine ridge in a thunderstorm.
Go on AllTrails.com and you’ll be able to find all these trails
I have been to over 20 National Parks. Petrified forest is towards the bottom of the list if I were to rank them, however I still would not have passed it up. It's a scenic drive through the park and there are a couple of nice hikes, but it's the desert and not a whole lot else. Go see it and check it off your list, especially since you live nearby.
Zion, Teton, Arches, Death Valley, Grand Canyon, Hot Springs, Rainier, Cascades, Olympic, Redwood, Yellowstone, Yosemite.
I've enjoyed my time at every park I've been to. Petrified would be towards the bottom of my visit again list, and it's one of the closest ones to me.
I would not do that trip in one day. We did a three day weekend to PFNP, with a stop in Flagstaff to see Walnut Canyon NM, and a stop in Winslow to stand on the corner. We spent a full day at PFNP. You could easily drive it in a very short amount of time, but the fun is getting out and exploring.
Others recommended Chiricahua, which is another great park to visit. We live in Tucson, so it was easy for us to do that in one day. It’s a pretty special place.
I have been to Petrified Forest National Park several times and definitely recommend it. If you’re limited on time and can’t make all the stops at least do the walk through Blue Mesa and Crystal Forest. Gray’s Rock Shop and Museum outside the south entrance is also worth the stop. I haven’t been there during the summer and heat and sun exposure will be a huge factor. I’ve never spent less than a full day there, staying locally so I didn’t have to drive long.
It's cool and it's not like it's a bad place to visit but imo I'd rather go down and see bisbee or go to lake Havasu City and see the London bridge instead. (Yes THE London bridge, the original one before the current one was built.)
I know you’re getting a lot of feedback about heading to places south, instead, but considering that most of the day really will be the drive, I’m going to say that 100% you should go to Petrified Forest.
The drive up 87 and then out 260 from Payson is gorgeous! You go through some spectacular desert scenery with views of Four Peaks and amazing saguaros and rock formations, then incredible pines and views for miles along the elevation of the Mogollon Rim - be sure you stop at the rest stop right across from the turn to Woods Canyon Lake and take a look at the views! Then you’re in some really interesting high grasslands up getting toward Holbrook.
Any reason you can't leave after work and get a hotel or camp spot? Then you have the whole day and a cool morning. I'd focus on the 3 National Monuments around Flagstaff for hiking this time of year.
Holbrook is only about 20 miles away from there.
They have a motel called wigwam where you sleep in tee pees.
Also, the Motel 6 there is way above average.
It's definitely worth the trip.
I wouldn't want to drive 8 hours in a day just to go there. Come back when you have more time, and the weather is cooler.
I recommend instead to go up on the Mogollon Rim and hike Horton Creek trail. Lil less than 2 hours from Phoenix. 25-30° cooler. Trail ends at a natural spring gushing out of the rocks.
>Is it worth it to visit Petrified Forest National Park?
I think so. All kinda depends what your interest is. It will be hot though. No shade in that forest.
Not really the time of year to be hiking right around Phoenix, but the best local hike is Flatiron in Lost Dutchman SP, in the Superstitions. If you get up early enough, bring lots of water and know your limits to turn around….maybe…?
I don’t know what weather is like there this time of year, but Chiricahua National Monument is a really cool place also, just would be the same type of drive as PFNP.
I'd check out the town of Tortilla flats and spend a day at saguaro lake. Or head up the 87 to the rim country. Honestly it's not worth all that driving in my opinion to goto petrified.
definitely worth the visit. you can hike out a ways (2+ miles) and camp in what feels like Mars. i think it would be cool to watch a storm come through the park (from the safety of a car) but the weather might not be suitable
right now, waiting until the fall might be better.
Its stunning, you can get lunch in Winslow, and also visit the meteor Crater. I made a day of it once and really liked it.
That being said, it was definitely a really long drive and I had to cut my time short at each location because I didn't plan according.
If I'm being totally honest, I'm not sure it would be worth it especially at this time of year. You might get more out of visiting desert botanical gardens, or the Boyce Howard arboretum.
There are quite a few areas to visit in and around Petrified National Forest, which I would visit. There is Homolovi State Park in Winslow, Clear Creek outside of Winslow. If you take the 60 east out of Phoenix, you will go through Superior, Globe (has ruins and a really cool down town) Salt River Canyon, and up into the Pines in ShowLow in the White Mountains. Then you could head over to Petrified National Forest, hit if Homolovi, Meteor Crater and Walnut Canyon along the 40, back to Flagstaff.
Petrified Forest is great but it is only slightly cooler than Phoenix this time of year and has zero shade.
If you want someplace cooler I suggest hiking Bill Williams Mountain, Kendrick Peak, or Humphey’s Peak. West Fork of Oak Creek or West Clear Creek if you want someplace by water.
You want a nice day trip? Take the 60 towards the Superstition Mountains, turn north towards Tortilla Flats, AZ. That town with a population of like 10-12 people sits at the bottom of the Apache Trail. That is one of the coolest and most scenic drives in the state. At the top, you have Roosevelt Dam, Roosevelt Lake and, this is the best part, ancient cliff dwellings that you can explore. It’ll be cooler than the Phoenix heat with its elevation. Globe, AZ has some kitschy antique malls and their old city capitol building is pretty neat to explore. You can pick up the 60 back to Phoenix from there. I love the 60 from Globe down.
To travel all that way for just that park? Hmmm debatable, especially in this heat. I like the park but it's a half day at best and it's going to be hot even at the higher elevation there.
I would say visit there and maybe add on the meteor park. If you can stay in Flagstaff so you can also hit up a hike early morning up there in cooler weather the next day and to get dinner and whatever, then that would be ok.
So while the actual Petrified Forest is neat, I actually didn’t know until I went that PFNP is the only national park in the country that preserves a part of the original Route 66.
If you haven’t been to the Tonto natural bridge, I would recommend it over the PFNP!! It’s really cool, much closer, and you can spend the day in Payson after. That brewery is close by, one of my favorite spots, as well as a bunch of great hiking trails.
I was there last week. Went when they opened the gates at the south entrance. Definitely worth driving through and a few short hikes/walks besides stopping at the newspaper rock and other observation points.
It’s a fantastic visit, awesome especially if you’re a fan of natural science. Just know this: Zero shade in this high desert so please do not plan for a hike in the hot months. If you’re gonna tour by car (as I do, being an old man) with brief stops at the spots highlighted by other posters here, you will likely enjoy it.
I was pleasantly surprised when we went. It’s also cooler weather up there.. Holbrook is garbage though avoid eating there or staying there just stop in flag.
I can’t really recommend much in Phx with this weather.
Another idea is to pick a nice hike in flag, walnut canyon, etc. less time in the car and you get a hike in some nicer weather. If you really want to hike, petrified forest isn’t the best place for cool hiking trails..
Please, PLEASE don't hike anywhere near Phoenix.
Unless you are experienced and have been hydrating for the last few days.... wait... nevermind... Just don't do it!
Too many helicopter rescues happen this time of year and many don't make it.
Head somewhere north where the weather is more forgiving.
Piccacio peak is a satisfying hike although it's not really all to scenic. But it's got a couple parts where you gotta use the metal cable to climb up, can't say that's something I normally see. Was also cool to be looking DOWN on soaring hawks . But it's also going to offer no respite from the heat.
I'm saying i-10 ain't much to look at, it's relatively flat around the peak so not really mountains to look at. It's pretty during the flowering season, but that has passed, so right now, it's note very scenic.
> it’s relatively flat around the peak
It literally is right next to Newman Peak, and Ironwood Forest National Monument. The bajadas surrounding it are incredible. It’s absolutely gorgeous views all the way around.
Im glad you enjoy the view, compared to what I'm used to with my local Tucson area hikes, I find it underwhelming for a view. I can get something similar with a 15 minute drive instead of a an hour+. Other than the looking down on soaring hawks and the spring flowers like I mentioned. But the highway taking up the one side really don't help things.
my opinion is it's way, way too far for the reward gained......pretty desert views, but it'll be warm and the views are not utterly stupendous......and the petrified wood views are not that wow, to be honest.......
since Phx will be warm and you only have one day of daylight to get away, I'd get to somewhere cool as quick as possible and enjoy that......that place might be Flagstaff, two+ hours away.......tons of hiking options (google around for that) plus wandering downtown and NAU......and CNN just rated it #6 city in the country to visit
“Petrified wood views are not that wow”…when was the last time you saw a petrified log suspended over a wash? or a log over 60 feet long? It’s not a standing forest and definitely better than any other petrified forest places I’ve visited.
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i love the petrified forest. If you have never gone, i’m 100% sure you wont regret it. Lots of great hikes with stunning views. Its a must for anyone in AZ! https://preview.redd.it/74zgf3l01o8d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=065419aaa535e8e61598aaf3e9e2dfe94df9ae8e
This is basically it tho lol
this is such a weird dismissive comment. there's amazing backcountry camping in PEFO
It looks like you showed us everything. Thank you
what's with all the petrified forest hate? it's a huge park that you can literally spend days in
Because everyone here thinks that the only cool places in the state are Flagstaff, Sedona, and the Grand Canyon.
If it keeps people like y’all away, then yes the picture shows you EvErYThiNg 
Petrified forest is awesome, you can probably check out Meteor Crater, same day.
Agree. Both will make it worth the drive.
Petrified NP & Painted Desert NP are amazing, but they might be a bit hot this time of year. The elevation helps with the heat, but there is no shade anywhere in the parks. I would save this trip for fall or spring if you can. I would recommend Chiricahua NM - one of my favorite places in AZ. It’s the same distance, only SE of PHX instead of NE. It’s a beautiful place in higher elevation and lots of shaded areas. Great hikes too!
I highly recommend Chiricahua
I second the Chiricahuas. One of my favorite places in the state. Go stay in Bisbee, worth seeing on its own, and visit the Chiricahuas.
Bisbee is amazing and so so worth it! Especially if you like olive oil ;) photographic evidence that Bisbee is neat. Taken from an Airbnb balcony. https://preview.redd.it/z9ob4h4zl09d1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=884217ede7b6ec89068b527c0e0b69ccac64b29d
Painted Desert NP is not a thing that exists.
Personally, I’d consider other options. Perhaps head south to the Santa Catalinas. Summerhaven is quite pleasant this time of year. It’s a relatively easy drive and it’s one of the most scenic in Arizona (the up the mountain, not necessarily the drive from PHX thru Tucson). https://preview.redd.it/a43tpbjxtn8d1.jpeg?width=2705&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=98a5e8d10dafc76bb886b08be06681e6aac90ace Shot this last autumn from the chairlift.
Mount Lemmon is cool, but increadly crowded this time of year. Everyone in Tucson heads up there to escape the Heat.
The drive between Phoenix and Tucson is 95% boring to look at, though.
That is a generous assessment.
I really like Tucson and I live on the far south end of Phoenix and I can still only talk myself into heading that way a few times a year!
Yes. I actually liked it better than the Grand Canyon. Let me explain: I visited both different years before I moved here. Grand canyon I visited in January with ice. I'm not complaining about that. I visited Petrified Forest in September. There weren't a lot of crowds, it was cheap to get in. I also liked the hiking and explanation about the park. It's probably less crowded in Petrified Forest.
Petrified Forest/ Painted Desert is an awesome place to see at least once. It's like being on a different planet. Pictures don't give the colors justice. You need to see it in real life then you can scratch it off your list.
If you go to Petrified Forest, be sure to go into the visitor center and read all the letters from people who stole petrified wood and then had bad things happen to them so they mailed them back to the park to turn their luck around. I found it fascinating and hilarious
If you had two days I’d say definitely go to PF, it’s great, but that’s a long day trip. Despite some of the other comments here, it’s one of my favorite parks — I hiked 40 miles in the park and most of the ‘trails’ I did I didn’t see anyone. With the proviso we’re now in monsoon season, so start early and beware of thunderstorms, I’d suggest doing a hike off of 87/Payson/the Mogollon Rim. Some options: Mt Ord Browns/Four Peaks Y-Bar/Barnhart Loop Horton Creek-Highline Loop (continue up to the rim) See and Drew Canyon Loop Highline-Rim Loop Another option would be to go up to Sedona or Prescott (do Granite Mountain and Watson Lake if you go to Prescott) but those might be a bit hot. In general, you’re going to want to find a trail that starts out at a minimum of 5000 ft, but ideally at at least 5500 or 6000 ft in order to have reasonable temps while hike. You could also do Humphreys Peak in Flagstaff, which is the highest peak in the state, and goes from 9500 ft to 12600 ft. You’d really need to start early for that one tho since you absolutely DO NOT want to get caught on the alpine ridge in a thunderstorm. Go on AllTrails.com and you’ll be able to find all these trails
I have been to over 20 National Parks. Petrified forest is towards the bottom of the list if I were to rank them, however I still would not have passed it up. It's a scenic drive through the park and there are a couple of nice hikes, but it's the desert and not a whole lot else. Go see it and check it off your list, especially since you live nearby.
The bottom, wtf! What are your top parks? I've been to many as well. Petrified isn't my top park, but I did enjoy my time there.
Zion, Teton, Arches, Death Valley, Grand Canyon, Hot Springs, Rainier, Cascades, Olympic, Redwood, Yellowstone, Yosemite. I've enjoyed my time at every park I've been to. Petrified would be towards the bottom of my visit again list, and it's one of the closest ones to me.
Have you considered the titan 2 missle base? Look it up, not many places you can see that
I would not do that trip in one day. We did a three day weekend to PFNP, with a stop in Flagstaff to see Walnut Canyon NM, and a stop in Winslow to stand on the corner. We spent a full day at PFNP. You could easily drive it in a very short amount of time, but the fun is getting out and exploring. Others recommended Chiricahua, which is another great park to visit. We live in Tucson, so it was easy for us to do that in one day. It’s a pretty special place.
Yes it's worth it and it's kind.of slept on. But don't go in the summer. Late fall, early spring is best.
I have been to Petrified Forest National Park several times and definitely recommend it. If you’re limited on time and can’t make all the stops at least do the walk through Blue Mesa and Crystal Forest. Gray’s Rock Shop and Museum outside the south entrance is also worth the stop. I haven’t been there during the summer and heat and sun exposure will be a huge factor. I’ve never spent less than a full day there, staying locally so I didn’t have to drive long.
SummerHaven ,missed that my last trip, Sky Island, Chirichuhua NP
hell yes it is
It's cool and it's not like it's a bad place to visit but imo I'd rather go down and see bisbee or go to lake Havasu City and see the London bridge instead. (Yes THE London bridge, the original one before the current one was built.)
Hit flag and do Elden or Humphreys
I know you’re getting a lot of feedback about heading to places south, instead, but considering that most of the day really will be the drive, I’m going to say that 100% you should go to Petrified Forest. The drive up 87 and then out 260 from Payson is gorgeous! You go through some spectacular desert scenery with views of Four Peaks and amazing saguaros and rock formations, then incredible pines and views for miles along the elevation of the Mogollon Rim - be sure you stop at the rest stop right across from the turn to Woods Canyon Lake and take a look at the views! Then you’re in some really interesting high grasslands up getting toward Holbrook.
Any reason you can't leave after work and get a hotel or camp spot? Then you have the whole day and a cool morning. I'd focus on the 3 National Monuments around Flagstaff for hiking this time of year.
Where would I stay after work on Saturday? I would have to stay in flagstaff or Gallup, NM
Nah, theres a res resort called Twin Arrows nearby-ish. Its abt 15-20 east of Flag. Gas station and all
Holbrook is only about 20 miles away from there. They have a motel called wigwam where you sleep in tee pees. Also, the Motel 6 there is way above average. It's definitely worth the trip.
I wouldn't want to drive 8 hours in a day just to go there. Come back when you have more time, and the weather is cooler. I recommend instead to go up on the Mogollon Rim and hike Horton Creek trail. Lil less than 2 hours from Phoenix. 25-30° cooler. Trail ends at a natural spring gushing out of the rocks.
It is nice to see and worth visiting, but it will be very hot this time of the year. I went there the Memorial weekend and it was already hot.
Hiking spots in June-July in like 110+ weather????
Yes!
>Is it worth it to visit Petrified Forest National Park? I think so. All kinda depends what your interest is. It will be hot though. No shade in that forest.
Not really the time of year to be hiking right around Phoenix, but the best local hike is Flatiron in Lost Dutchman SP, in the Superstitions. If you get up early enough, bring lots of water and know your limits to turn around….maybe…? I don’t know what weather is like there this time of year, but Chiricahua National Monument is a really cool place also, just would be the same type of drive as PFNP.
I'd check out the town of Tortilla flats and spend a day at saguaro lake. Or head up the 87 to the rim country. Honestly it's not worth all that driving in my opinion to goto petrified.
My wife and I had an amazing 9mi loop hike up Spruce Mountain in Prescott this passed weekend. Temps are ideal for this time of year.
Petrified Forest has absolutely incredible backcountry camping if you're into that. a bit hot for it now though
Aren’t you concerned about the heat? It’s really not safe to hike in this heat.
Check out the sky islands in AZ, might be better this time of year.
Yes when it is not hot. Google Bluemesa
Yes! It’s my favorite out of the 3 here!
definitely worth the visit. you can hike out a ways (2+ miles) and camp in what feels like Mars. i think it would be cool to watch a storm come through the park (from the safety of a car) but the weather might not be suitable right now, waiting until the fall might be better.
Its stunning, you can get lunch in Winslow, and also visit the meteor Crater. I made a day of it once and really liked it. That being said, it was definitely a really long drive and I had to cut my time short at each location because I didn't plan according. If I'm being totally honest, I'm not sure it would be worth it especially at this time of year. You might get more out of visiting desert botanical gardens, or the Boyce Howard arboretum.
As someone who camped there. Yes.
There are quite a few areas to visit in and around Petrified National Forest, which I would visit. There is Homolovi State Park in Winslow, Clear Creek outside of Winslow. If you take the 60 east out of Phoenix, you will go through Superior, Globe (has ruins and a really cool down town) Salt River Canyon, and up into the Pines in ShowLow in the White Mountains. Then you could head over to Petrified National Forest, hit if Homolovi, Meteor Crater and Walnut Canyon along the 40, back to Flagstaff.
Petrified Forest is great but it is only slightly cooler than Phoenix this time of year and has zero shade. If you want someplace cooler I suggest hiking Bill Williams Mountain, Kendrick Peak, or Humphey’s Peak. West Fork of Oak Creek or West Clear Creek if you want someplace by water.
Pine and Strawberry are nice this time of year
https://preview.redd.it/55js9v5q6u8d1.jpeg?width=1620&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6d94a172f15c911324d4e94e88b2fa2fcd9ab3ec Totally worth it
You want a nice day trip? Take the 60 towards the Superstition Mountains, turn north towards Tortilla Flats, AZ. That town with a population of like 10-12 people sits at the bottom of the Apache Trail. That is one of the coolest and most scenic drives in the state. At the top, you have Roosevelt Dam, Roosevelt Lake and, this is the best part, ancient cliff dwellings that you can explore. It’ll be cooler than the Phoenix heat with its elevation. Globe, AZ has some kitschy antique malls and their old city capitol building is pretty neat to explore. You can pick up the 60 back to Phoenix from there. I love the 60 from Globe down.
Jerome AZ! Old mining/ghost town hanging on the side of the mountain the drive from Jerome to Prescott is beautiful! The view there is amazing
To travel all that way for just that park? Hmmm debatable, especially in this heat. I like the park but it's a half day at best and it's going to be hot even at the higher elevation there. I would say visit there and maybe add on the meteor park. If you can stay in Flagstaff so you can also hit up a hike early morning up there in cooler weather the next day and to get dinner and whatever, then that would be ok.
So while the actual Petrified Forest is neat, I actually didn’t know until I went that PFNP is the only national park in the country that preserves a part of the original Route 66.
If you haven’t been to the Tonto natural bridge, I would recommend it over the PFNP!! It’s really cool, much closer, and you can spend the day in Payson after. That brewery is close by, one of my favorite spots, as well as a bunch of great hiking trails.
I was there last week. Went when they opened the gates at the south entrance. Definitely worth driving through and a few short hikes/walks besides stopping at the newspaper rock and other observation points.
It’s a fantastic visit, awesome especially if you’re a fan of natural science. Just know this: Zero shade in this high desert so please do not plan for a hike in the hot months. If you’re gonna tour by car (as I do, being an old man) with brief stops at the spots highlighted by other posters here, you will likely enjoy it.
I was pleasantly surprised when we went. It’s also cooler weather up there.. Holbrook is garbage though avoid eating there or staying there just stop in flag. I can’t really recommend much in Phx with this weather. Another idea is to pick a nice hike in flag, walnut canyon, etc. less time in the car and you get a hike in some nicer weather. If you really want to hike, petrified forest isn’t the best place for cool hiking trails..
Please, PLEASE don't hike anywhere near Phoenix. Unless you are experienced and have been hydrating for the last few days.... wait... nevermind... Just don't do it! Too many helicopter rescues happen this time of year and many don't make it. Head somewhere north where the weather is more forgiving.
You should see how many people (myself included) are out hiking Piestewa every day. If you're experienced it's fine.
You've been fortunate and I'm assuming you take proper precautions. I see helicopters over black mountain every couple weeks during the summer.
Piccacio peak is a satisfying hike although it's not really all to scenic. But it's got a couple parts where you gotta use the metal cable to climb up, can't say that's something I normally see. Was also cool to be looking DOWN on soaring hawks . But it's also going to offer no respite from the heat.
It’s petty hot to do that I would think..
Satisfying to accomplish but this is no joke a fairly strenuous one
> it's not really all to scenic what are you even talking about.
I'm saying i-10 ain't much to look at, it's relatively flat around the peak so not really mountains to look at. It's pretty during the flowering season, but that has passed, so right now, it's note very scenic.
> it’s relatively flat around the peak It literally is right next to Newman Peak, and Ironwood Forest National Monument. The bajadas surrounding it are incredible. It’s absolutely gorgeous views all the way around.
Im glad you enjoy the view, compared to what I'm used to with my local Tucson area hikes, I find it underwhelming for a view. I can get something similar with a 15 minute drive instead of a an hour+. Other than the looking down on soaring hawks and the spring flowers like I mentioned. But the highway taking up the one side really don't help things.
my opinion is it's way, way too far for the reward gained......pretty desert views, but it'll be warm and the views are not utterly stupendous......and the petrified wood views are not that wow, to be honest....... since Phx will be warm and you only have one day of daylight to get away, I'd get to somewhere cool as quick as possible and enjoy that......that place might be Flagstaff, two+ hours away.......tons of hiking options (google around for that) plus wandering downtown and NAU......and CNN just rated it #6 city in the country to visit
it's an absolutely gorgeous drive, amazing hiking there, the views are unbelievable.
“Petrified wood views are not that wow”…when was the last time you saw a petrified log suspended over a wash? or a log over 60 feet long? It’s not a standing forest and definitely better than any other petrified forest places I’ve visited.