Cypress Ridge Loop

Mon, 05 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0700

There is a hike in the Mazatzal Wilderness that has captured my imagination for years, dating back to when I was busy hiking those trails regularly. It didn’t help that the author of the guide on HikeAZ led with a “you should only attempt this hike if you can do the Grand Canyon rim-to-rim”. A lasso loop in the Mazzies with the same level of elevation difference and challenge as the canyon? Of course, as years went on, I did many crazy adventures in the Mazzies, difficult one-day outings with multiple climbs that rivaled or exceeded the elevation gain of a pure rim-to-rim (like Sheep Creek Trail), and my interest in this particular loop waned. Until last weekend, anyways.

Cypress Ridge on Jacob Emerick

Cypress Ridge Loop