With a unique look and massive size, its presence is hard to ignore. Whether you are coming from the Phoenix or Tucson area, there is clear signage directing to the Park's entrance making for easy navigation. The Hunter Hiking Trail to Picacho Peak is a short trail, containing some of the best rock scrambles (replete with handrails and cables) in all of Arizona. The recreation area has over 15 miles of mountain biking, hiking, and equestrian trails. Sunset vista trail adds an extra 4.5 miles (round trip) onto the hike… Steven, You may wish to update the park closure notice at the beginning of your Overview section. You can’t miss seeing this prominent outcrop when driving I-10 between Tucson and Phoenix. It is a great hike and takes approximately 45 minutes to ascend and 30 minutes to descend. Picacho Peak is a 4959-foot high peak just northwest of Las Cruces. Hunters’ trail is the one that goes all the way up to the top, and I would advise taking that way up instead of through sunset vista trail. Overview Picacho Peak is located 7 miles from downtown Las Cruces, New Mexico, on the West Mesa adjacent to Picacho Peak … Picacho Peak State Park: Hours, Address, Picacho Peak State Park Reviews: 4.5/5. It helps create a mental map of where we are in the world. Picacho Peak : SummitPost.org : Climbing, hiking, mountaineering. Skill Level: Beginning – Experienced Types of Recreation Available: Hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding. Overview Between Phoenix and Tucson lies this mysterious peak jutting out of the desert. The Hunter Hiking Trail begins its ascent on a series of switchbacks up the northern side of the Picacho Peak. Picacho Peak Location & Information: Located just 7 miles west of Downtown Las Cruces, Picacho peak has several trails for mountain biking, hiking and equestrian use. Stats are to the peak, including the Sunset Trail segment. We always like to start with a bird’s eye view of our surroundings whenever possible. Picacho Peak is a premiere destination for anyone traveling down I-10. MAP: paper map available at the Visitor Center PERMITS: park entrance fee is $7 per vehicle, $3 on foot or bicycle HOURS OF OPERATION: park gates are open from 5am through 10pm DESIGNATION: Picacho Peak State Park (Arizona) Picacho Peak Trail Guide. Challenging but so rewarding! Picacho Peak : SummitPost.org : Climbing, hiking, mountaineering. It is a volcanic mountain composed of rhyolite (mostly quartz and feldspar) that solidified at the surface approximately 35 million years ago. This is a unique trail with cables and handrails placed by the Boy scouts long ago. There are two trails out of the parking area, so make sure you start on the one that goes right and up towards the peak. There is a very obvious sign next to the correct trail that says “Hunter Trail To the Top of the Peak”. Hike Picacho Peak's Hunter Trail . Hike over 1 year ago. Hiking Picacho Peak. The peak is over 9 million years old, even older than the Organ Mountains that tower to the east. Hiking Picacho Peak via the Hunter Trail. Picacho Peak is one of those mountains you just have to hike! The Picacho Peak summit climbs to 4,959 feet above sea level and provides stunning views of Southern New Mexico. Directions: After approximately 1 mile on Picacho Hills Drive, veer to the left onto Barcelona Ridge Road. Today’s quest was Picacho (pronounced pick-aw-cho) Peak. Sarah Simon - Apr 15, 2009 5:37 pm - Hasn't voted Park is now open. a classic southern Arizona hike up the Hunter Trail and down the Sunset Vista Trail via the cables on Picacho Peak.