Stay Out Of The Sun During Your Summer Hikes!
Every true Southwesterner enjoys a good hike from time to time. What’s better than spending the day trekking through unique landscapes, your blood pumping as you stretch out a body that’s used to sitting all week long? Only the unbeatable sense of accomplishment when you round the last corner of a hiking trail and think back on the journey you’ve just made!
In the harsh summer heat, however, it’s becoming harder to find an invigorating trail that won’t leave you exposed to the sun for hours. Luckily, there are a few hidden gems you can visit where forests and mountains protect pathways from the worst of the glare.
So, pack all of your hiking essentials, book a campervan, and read on to discover which of the 5 best-shaded hikes in the Southwest will be your perfect vacation destination!
1. Fay Canyon Trail, Sedona – Arizona
Sedona is a magnificent hiking destination with spectacular beauty around every corner. This arid region is famous for its ancient red rock formations, where shifting hues of scarlets, pinks, and oranges layer the cliff faces. Despite the desert conditions, vibrant life flourishes in the river-filled canyons and under the shade of the Coconino Forest. The forest itself is popular for its many wilderness camping areas.
Trail Details
Distance: 2.3 miles
Elevation Gain: 200 ft
Difficulty: Easy
Easily one of the most scenic shaded hikes in Arizona, the Fay Canyon Trail leads you down the middle of an ember-colored valley. The small creek that meanders through Fay Canyon can often run dry. But that doesn’t stop rugged plants and wildflowers from covering the canyon floor.
Watch out for the Fay Canyon Arch, a natural rocky archway that looms over the valley. If you enjoy a scramble at the end of the hike then head up the cliffside for a panoramic view of the canyons.
2. Solstice Canyon Loop, Santa Monica Mountains – California
The Santa Monica Mountains are the perfect hiker’s playground. Between the coastal cliffs, rolling grassy hills, and tempting peaks, it’s easy to spend a whole week exploring one of the best hiking spots in California.
Trail Details
Distance: 3 miles
Elevation Gain: 700 ft
Difficulty: Easy
The enticing Solstice Canyon Loop runs through, and over, the Santa Monica Mountains. Along the hike, you’ll stumble across many of the mountains’ hidden features, including waterfalls, old stone ruins, and breathtaking ocean views.
The hike’s panoramas are best seen when walking counter-clockwise around the loop. Unfortunately, while this means that the woodlands will protect you from the sun for most of the way, as you head over the peak near the end, you will be exposed. To prevent overheating, it’s best to hike this trail in the morning or late afternoon.
3. Railroad Tunnel Trail, Tonto National Forest – Arizona
The Tonto National Forest is a true reflection of Arizona’s beauty. Desert landscapes mingle with thick forests and steady rivers, all draped over the region’s famed rusty mountains. The expansive area is popular with hikers as they explore during the day and camp freely in the park at night.
Trail Details
Distance: 3.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,100 ft
Difficulty: Intermediate
The Railroad Tunnel Trail is the coolest shaded hike in Arizona. Named after a failed 19th-century railroad project, the highlight of the trek is a 70-foot-deep tunnel carved into the rock. The dark, abandoned passage provides hikers with the adrenaline rush you only get from walking inside a mountain.
On the way to the tunnel, you will cross over rocky tracks along grassy knolls and hike steep dirt pathways that run through swathes of fir. You’ll also wander along crystal-clear creeks and climb up sandstone steps under tall pine trees. The wonderfully varied trail allows everyone to let out their inner adventurer.
4. Water Canyon Trail, Dixie National Forest – Utah
Caught between the better-known Grand Canyon and Zion National Parks, this mountainous National Forest never gets too crowded. Although the occasional bird-spotter may cross your path, hoping to catch a glimpse of a Bald Eagle.
Trail Details
Distance: 6.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 2,400 ft
Difficulty: Challenging
This out-and-back trail through Water Canyon is the perfect spot for a shaded hike in relative solitude. For most of the walk, you’ll walk along sun-dappled pathways, as the immense conifer forest shields you from the full force of the sun.
A babbling creek often accompanies hikers on their walk and there are points where you need to skip across the water on stepping stones. The trail does involve a lot of steep inclines and portions of rock scrambling, so it’s best to have previous mountain hiking experience.
5. Big Laguna Mountain Loop Trail, Mount Laguna – California
Mount Laguna is one of the many ancient peaks that form the enchanting Laguna mountain range. The rugged views and exciting trails draw many hikers to the area. You may even see people on a quest to hike some (or all) of the epic Pacific Crest Trail, that passes through the range.
Trail Details
Distance: 10 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,150 ft
Difficulty: Challenging
The Big Laguna Moutain Loop Trail is a test of endurance, but it’s worth the effort. It’s best to start your hike in the morning and go clockwise around the loop. This way, you can soak in the vast desert on display as you walk along an exposed segment of the Pacific Crest Trail.
As the sun heats up and you move on, oak and pine trees blend together to provide a shady cover. The shelter gives way in places to allow for sweeping mountain views. The woodland pathways are also a popular spot for birdwatching.
Get Ready For A Shady Hike!
Now you know where to go, all you need is to book a campervan and begin planning your hiking vacation! Don’t forget, you can earn passive income by putting your own camping vehicle up for rent to fellow travelers with TB Outdoors!
Come back next time for a look at more great phone apps to help you on your campervan road trip!
