Whenever apparent, we try to take the official path. While most visitors hover around the parking area and campground, quite a few climb up toward the peak. Many of these people shouldn't step out of their cars, much less climb a mountain. You need proper footwear. Many of the injuries suffered by visitors come from twisted ankles and the like, says Westberg.
People encase their feet in all sorts of impractical footwear.
We see slippers, cowboy boots, sandals and, of course, sneakers. The trail is well worn, but rocky. The best piece of equipment to have is a good pair of hiking boots. We pass some guy with a broken ankle about to be carried out by Pinal County Search and Rescue. Naturally, he was wearing sneakers.