Sunshine Social Hiking Levels (I-V) 😁☀️🥾

One of the most common questions I get from new members is “how hard is this hike?”

This season, you may have noticed a Roman numeral after each Sunshine Hike: I’ve broken down local trails by difficulty and distance to create five distinct levels of hiking…

Level One (Rattlesnake Roam)🐍

-Great for beginners

-Short distance (2-3miles) and little elevation

-Family-friendly

Sweetwater Preserve, Honeybee Canyon, Sabino Walkway Loop

Level Two (Quail Trails)🪶

-Slightly more elevation/rockiness

-Hiking poles useful

-Tumamoc perfect training to go from level 2 to 3

Linda Vista Loop, Dove Mountain, Tumamoc

Level Three (Javelina Hikes)🐗

-Adventure hikes (camelbacks recommended at this level)

-Longer time and distance (3-5 hours, 4-8 miles)

-Decent elevation, solid aerobic base required

Wasson Peak, Seven Falls, Romero Pools

Level Four (Bighorn Scrambles)🐏

-Advanced adventure hikes

-Technical skill or very strong aerobic base required

-Steep areas and scrambling required for some

Blackett’s Ridge, Sombrero Peak, Pusch Peak

Level Five (Mountain Lion Treks)🐆

-Very long, hiking most of the day

-Planning and logistics involved (point to point, lodging in Summerhaven)

-Must be a hiking masochist 😂

Mt Kimball, Mt Wrightson, Mt Lemmon

With each hike being assigned to a level, I’m hoping it gives Sunshiners a clear idea of what to expect.

And for my fellow completionists/hikers who like to gamify things: I’m working on creating a Sunshine Hike Passport where you can collect stamps for 25 local hikes, five of each level…(artists - please help! 🤣)

For our group, social hikes will be either level I or II and adventure hikes will be level III or IV. Expeditions and day hikes will be level V.

Which hike are you taking on next? 😎