Arizona has a multitude of variety – whether it is people, scenery, ecosystems, climate – the state is diverse.

Fountain Hills resident Larry Zuiker can attest to the wide choices of hiking areas in the state – and beyond. He has been so captivated by what Mother Nature offers the outdoors person that he has written a book about places he has hiked, so he can let others know what is out there.

“There is just no limit to places you can see in Arizona,” Zuiker said. “I can’t get enough of the state.”

His favorite hikes are the Grand Canyon, as well as Superstition Wilderness and Spur Cross, but as he names his favorite hikes, he thinks of another one. You get the sense he really just loves them all, and the one he is on is his favorite at that moment.

He has hiked in every corner of this state, but he has also explored Utah, California, Washington State and in the Midwest. He prefers the West, simply because he can hike year-‘round…desert in the winter, mountains in the summer.

Zuiker grew up in Illinois, and after a blizzard basically closed Chicago for three days in 1967, he headed west and never looked back.

“I came looking for sun,” he said.

He found it in the Valley of the Sun, and he spends as much time as he can outside. He has a group called AZ Hikrs, which he has taken to a variety of places in the state once a month for a number of years. Since retiring, he can get out more often, but his group hikes are limited to one a month.

Hikes typically are six to 10 miles, and participants must commit to the full day.

“We have gone on some really beautiful hikes, “he said.

The book, Hiking Arizona and Beyond, is an outgrowth of his hikes.

“Writing the book was kind of a bucket list thing,” Zuiker said. “One of my brothers encouraged me to write it, and I have had others express their interest in where I have hiked. So I wrote the book.”

It is available at www.lulu.com for $24.99. Complete with color photos of hikes in Arizona and other venues, Zuiker talks about places he has been and describes the hikes in detail.

Zuiker prefers remote hiking compared to more accessible hikes. However, he enjoys hiking trails in Fountain Hills and Scottsdale.

“I enjoy being far away from crowds,” he said. “I am not as happy in the city trails. There are too many people. The more remote spots offer more nature.”

He has discovered things about himself as he hikes. He likes taking trails less traveled to experience what else is out there. He has started hiking in rivers. The water hikes offer a different dimension to the walks he takes. Rivers create more challenges, different perspectives and “a lot of fun.”

Zuiker has hikes on the horizon, planning a trip to the Grand Canyon, thinking about hiking the channel islands off Ventura, Calif., and what might appeal to him on a whim.