Crack down on illegal parking and stopping at Camelback Mountain trailhead

ECHO CANYON TRAILHEAD PARKING RESTRICTIONS TO BE ENFORCED
Camelback Mountain, Phoenix

Hike South Mountain trails instead

Just like the old adage ---"stuff expands or contracts to fill the space allocated for it"---the newly upgraded Echo Canyon trailhead parking lot at Camelback Mountain is once again bursting at the seams. Even with double the parking, traffic congestion continues to be a problem.  The extra spots fill up quickly and hikers have been ignoring posted regulations and illegally stopping and/or parking along McDonald Drive to wait for an open space. Well, according to a press release issued today, the party is over, folks. You can now expect to be towed and/or ticketed because the City of Phoenix in conjunction with the Town of Paradise Valley is stepping up enforcement effective immediately. Remember, if the parking lot is full, you must leave the area and return later---no idling or parking along the street. Additional suggestions to avoid traffic backups are available on the Echo Canyon/Camelback Mountain webpage at: http://phoenix.gov/parks/trails/locations/camelback/index.html

As a side note, I avoid this trail.  It's too crowded, has zero wilderness appeal and adds to my stress levels. Nope---city trails in the Phoenix Sonoran Preserve and South Mountain Park deliver a much nicer hiking experience. 

ROUND MOUNTAIN PARK

ROUND MOUNTAIN PARK

City of Globe

Bull's Eye Loop Trail

In Arizona, where the sun shines almost every day, we really love our public recreational lands.  Nearly every town with a population over 50 has developed its own trail system. Even places like Globe--which boasts close access to Tonto National Forest and the Arizona Trail--have invested in the Grand Canyon State's obsession with the great outdoors.  The 6.7-mile,  six trail system of Round Mountain Park offers pleasant, family-friendly alternatives to the more remote and difficult (think: Sixshooter Canyon and Picketpost Mountain) routes in the "Copper

Pinal Mountains viewed from the Boulder Canyon Trail

Corridor" mining district. Originally designed by the University of Arizona Landscape Architecture program in the 1990s, the 386-acre site has been continually upgraded and expanded by the city, local businesses and volunteers. The well-signed trails wander among boulder-strewn canyons, shallow caves and fascinating geology including a curious hole in a wall of stone known as Bull's Eye Rock. An elaborate seating area at the park's highest point provides 360-degree vistas of the Pinal Mountains and the area's ore pits.

A full complement of amenities including restrooms, water, shaded picnic spots and benches placed at scenic stops along the trails make for a relaxing day of hiking.    

Bull's Eye Rock

LENGTH: 6.7 miles total

RATING: easy - moderate

ELEVATION: 3560' - 4201'

Mountain views on the West Trail

GETTING THERE:

From the US60/AZ188 junction in Globe, continue 4.8 miles on US60 to South Street (Round Mountain Park Road).  Turn left and go 0.5 mile to the park. South Street is easy to miss--it's near the Quality Inn/Express Stop about a quarter mile before the US70 junction.

INFO & MAP:

http://www.globeaz.gov/departments/recreation/round-mountain-park 

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WATSON DAM TRAILS

WATSON DAM, FLUME CANYON & NORTHSHORE TRAILS

Prescott Mile-High Trail System

 

Bridges over Granite Creek

So many wonderful works of nature are tucked within Prescott's Granite Dells area. And, thanks to the city's Mile-High Trail System, there's no shortage of ways to get to the good stuff. The Watson Dam-Flume Canyon cluster of trails stands out because of its diverse terrain. A network of loopy trails wander through riparian woodlands along Granite Creek and soaring slick rock crests overlooking Watson Lake. Map signs posted at every turn make navigation easy. A particularly beautiful segment makes a footbridge assisted traverse of a precipitous gorge that forges the way to the base of Watson Dam.  Here, cattail reeds and gangling willows living in shallow pools and running currents huddle in a lush, shady cove fortified by vertical granite.

Late winter on the Flume Trail

LENGTH: 2.4 miles total

RATING: moderate

ELEVATION: 5057' - 5642'

GETTING THERE:

From Phoenix, travel north on I17 to the SR69 interchange at Cordes Junction.  Go 30 miles west on SR69 to Prescott Lakes Parkway, turn right and continue 2.1 miles to SR89. Turn right and follow SR89 1.7 miles to Granite Dells Road, turn right and go 0.2 mile to the trailhead

Watson Dam

on the right. No fees at this trailhead

INFO & MAP: City of Prescott

http://cityofprescott.net/services/parks/trails/?id=57

GRANITE GARDENS TRAILS

GRANITE GARDENS

Prescott Mile-High Trail System

Granite Creek

If this new system of four trails were a dog, it would be a Jack Russell Terrier---compact, feisty and righteously entertaining. So, before taking a pass on it due to its short length, consider its attributes. The bite hike begins on the Stairway Loop with an ascent up 38 steps constructed in 2013 that lands hikers on an overlook above Granite Creek.  At the top of the stairs, views of Prescott's Granite Dells area are breathtaking. Here, an overview of what lays ahead nips at your heels. Next up: an exposed meander over slick rock guided by white dots painted on slabs of granite that resemble splayed reptile hide. The route winds up around Castle Rock then descends to meet the Rock Stacker and Grotto Trails. Both aptly named, these two paths combine for a terrier-grade, energetic swoop through a wilderness of stone with steep climbs, narrow passages and a rib-tickling squeeze through the claustrophobic darkness of the "grotto".  Like a speeding carnival ride, this trek is over too quickly, but will have you yelling, "let's do it again".

View of Stairway Loop from Rock Stacker Trail. Note the hikers, left center.

LENGTH: 1.15 miles total

RATING: moderate-difficult

ELEVATION: 5050' - 5150'

GETTING THERE:

From Phoenix, travel north on I17 to the SR69 interchange at Cordes Junction.  Go 30 miles west on SR69 to Prescott Lakes Parkway, turn right and continue 2.1 miles to SR89. Turn right and follow SR89 2.2 miles to Granite Garden Drive (unsigned) located directly across from Granite Gate Senior Living Community between mileposts 317 and 318. Turn right onto this rough dirt road and go 0.2 mile to the trailhead on the right just before the creek. Those with low clearance vehicles may park in the turnoffs before the road gets too rough.

Entering the Grotto

INFO: City of Prescott

http://cityofprescott.net/services/parks/trails/?id=77

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WILD BURRO TRAIL

WILD BURRO TRAIL

Tortolita Mountains, Marana

A beautifully landscaped drive through groomed communities surrounding the Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain resort sets the tone for this posh hike in the Tortolita Mountains north of Tucson. The elegant Wild Burro trailhead is wrapped in colorful plantings and features white-glove clean restrooms, a shaded picnic table and a map kiosk.  Two enormous granite monoliths with mineral-green patinas add a finishing, regal cache to an impeccably designed threshold to pleasant, (but not too wild) hiking.

Access to the Wild Burro Trail--which serves as a backbone for the nine routes of the Tortolita Mountain system—begins with a descent into a wash and a short trek to the trail proper. Turn left here and hike a half-mile north (in full view of resort guests lounging on their balconies)  to a major hub junction.  Here, another map kiosk and a rainbow of color-coded arrows help with navigation. Turn left again to stay on Wild Burro---the "purple" trail--and follow strategically placed signs as the trail skips across grainy substrates into a canyon bend that gradually closes in on filtered shade of ironwood thickets and secret finds such as rock art etched into a jumble of boulders near the junction for the Lower Javelina Trail.  At 2.2 miles, the path makes a sharp left up an embankment, emerging at the ruins of masonry "line shack" and concrete basin. The trail continues by the basin, heading steeply uphill over rocky terrain to a scenic lookout area, another petroglyph site and a short descent to Alamo Spring. The spring is a popular turnaround point for many hikers; however, the trail continues into Tortolita Mountain Park with several loop options for longer return routes.

LENGTH: 2.8 miles one-way to Alamo Spring OR 6.3 miles one way entire trail

RATING: moderate

ELEVATION: 2810' - 3100'/3920'
GETTING THERE: 14810 N. Secret Springs Drive, Marana.  From Phoenix, go south on I10 to Tangerine Road exit 240, go 4.9 miles east to Dove Mtn. Blvd. turn left and continue 4.5 miles to a traffic circle. Turn right through the circle and and pass the Ritz-Carlton gatehouse. Trailhead is less than a mile up the road. There are no fees.

INFO & MAP: Town of Marana

http://www.marana.com/index.aspx?NID=785

WAG & WALK DOG ADOPTION HIKE: MARCH 1,2014

FIND YOUR NEW BEST FRIEND ON THE MERKLE TRAIL.

Beautiful Cassiopeia was adopted after the Feb. hike!

EVENT IS CANCELLED: because it will be raining cats & dogs on Saturday---please join us on April 5th!

There are only 2 more Wag & Walk dog adoption hikes to go before we take a break until November.  The next hike  with Maricopa County Animal Care adoptable dogs will be Saturday, March 1,2014.“Wag & Walk” hiker dogs are already spayed or neutered and available to go home on the spot, usually at reduced adoption fees.  Many of the dogs who participated in these hikes have found their "fur-ever" homes, and all of them certainly enjoyed strutting their stuff on the trail. 

The dogs also inspired some (human) hikers to become Day Foster Volunteers.  This special team takes dogs out of the shelter for a day, weekend or a few hours to walk, socialize or just to get some quiet time and extra attention.  Sound interesting?  Sign up here: http://www.maricopa.gov/Pets/help.aspx

Denver the dog works the crowd

Cooper on the February hike

LENGTH: 1-mile loop (Merkle Trail)

ELEVATION: 1950'

RATING: easy, barrier-free

FEE: $6 park entry fee per vehicle

FACILITIES: picnic tables, restrooms, water,

GETTING THERE:

3939 N. Usery Pass Rd., Mesa AZ 85207

From Phoenx, travel east on US60 to the Ellsworth Road exit.  Go north on Ellsworth to the park entrance.

DATE/TIME: Saturday, March 1, 2014 at 9 a.m. at the Merkle trailhead (area 6 parking).

INFO: Maricopa County Parks & Recreation, 480-984-0032

http://www.maricopa.gov/parks/usery/

MESCAL TRAIL

MESCAL-LONG CANYON-DEAD MANS PASS TRAIL LOOP

Sedona

A relatively new addition to the sanctioned stock of Sedona hiking trails, this one originated as a mountain bike route. As with many wheel-wrangled paths, the Mescal Trail is big on challenging terrain and vertigo-inducing exposure.  Beginning at roughly a mile into the trek, the gaping, U-shaped bend on the flanks of Mescal Mountain known as "the bowl" comes into view. Here, the trail seems to disappear into the russet sandstone making the traverse of the cliffs appear impossible. Within a few yards, a wood sign marks a brief section where the trail splits---one side is "difficult", the other "extreme". Pick your poison. Although these ratings pertain mostly to bike technicality, I chose to err on the conservative side by taking the "difficult" arm and found that, except for some slick rock and edgy narrows, it wasn't too tough. The path soon becomes clear and after another mile-and-change of semi-queasy ledge hiking, the route rounds the mountain to meet Dead Mans Pass Trail at the border of Red Rock Secret Mountain Wilderness and Boynton Canyon.  Straight ahead is the Kachina Woman vortex site---a popular spiritual retreat and platform for musicians who fill the canyons with soulful strains of Native American flute or didgeridoos. Mescal Trail ends here, however, a map at the junction shows how to use Dead Mans Pass and Long Canyon Trails for an optional loop back to the trailhead.

LENGTH: 4.8-mile loop

RATING: easy-moderate

ELEVATION:  4239' - 4723'

FEE: a Red Rock Pass is required. $5 daily fee per vehicle.

http://www.redrockcountry.org/passes-and-permits/index.shtml

GETTING THERE:

From the US89A/AZ179 traffic circle in Sedona, go 3 miles west on 89A (left, toward Cottonwood) to Dry Creek Road (FR 152C), turn

right and continue 2.9 miles to Long Canyon Road (FR 152D), turn right and go 0.2 mile to the trailhead on the right. Trail begins across the road. This route can also be accessed via the Long Canyon trailhead 0.3 mile farther up FR152D.

MESCAL-LONG CANYON-DEADMANS PASS TRAIL LOOP:

Follow Mescal Trail 2.3 miles to Deadmans Pass Trail, turn right (NE) and hike 0.9 mile to Long Canyon Trail. Turn right (S) and hike 1.6 miles back to the trailhead.

INFO: Red Rock Ranger District, Coconino National Forest, 928-203-2900
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BLUE WASH-CAMP CREEK

BLUE WASH-CAMP CREEK

Tonto National Forest, north of Carefree

Sycamores along Camp Creek

The sandy, canyon-bound courses of Blue Wash and Camp Creek provide an interesting twist on desert hiking. During rainstorms, turbulent sheets of water pummeling off of the Cave Creek Mountains rush through these natural funnels that channel moisture into the Verde River. But, on most days, the rocky corridors are hikable mazes of boulders and rock jams settled in a soft-floored, multi-armed gorge that supports a community of willows, sycamores and bamboo plugged into precious groundwater. There's no "official trail" but well-worn footpaths ambling among house-high blocks of granite are reasonably easy to pick out in this quiet section of Tonto National Forest between Cave Creek Road and Bartlett Dam Road that's off limits to motorized traffic.  From the Cave Creek Road trailhead, the hike begins with a passage through "boulder alley" where there are three tricky spots that require some minor scrambling. At the 1.1-mile point, Blue Wash intersects with Camp Creek at a wide "T" junction. Turn left (northeast) here and hike 0.28 mile to visit Camp Creek Falls---a box canyon grotto with spring-fed water cascades and drop pools. Once done exploring the falls, return to the "T" and hike south down the wash another 3 miles to the turnaround point at Bartlett Dam Road. Actual mileage may vary slightly because there are multiple paths through the canyon.

"boulder alley"

LENGTH: 8 miles roundtrip

RATING: moderate

ELEVATION: 2640' - 3200'

GETTING THERE:

NORTH (Cave Creek Road) TRAILHEAD:

From Loop 101 in Scottsdale, take the Princess/Pima exit 36 and go 13 miles north on  

Camp Creek Falls

Pima to Cave Creek Road (a.k.a. Seven Springs Road and FR24). Follow Cave Creek Road 6.5 miles to the gravel lot on the left just past the "Blue Wash #1" sign. Trail begins near the cottonwood trees across from the parking place.

SOUTH (Bartlett Dam Road) TRAILHEAD:

From Loop 101 in Scottsdale, take the Princess/Pima exit 36 and go 13 miles north on Pima to Cave Creek Road (a.k.a. Seven Springs Road and FR24). Follow Cave Creek Road 4.1 miles to Bartlett Dam Road, turn right and continue 2.8 miles to the trailhead on the left.

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South Mountain Park "Spring into Nature" Event, Feb 23, 2014

SPRING INTO NATURE EVENT AT SOUTH MOUNTAIN OFFERS OUTDOOR FUN

Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department Press Release:

South Mountain Park

    Live animal displays, guided nature walks, a climbing wall, and introductory archery clinics will highlight the free “Spring into Nature” outdoor celebration at South Mountain Park Feb. 23 from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department is sponsoring the event in partnership with a host of other outdoor and public land agencies.

     The event is scheduled on the park’s designated Silent Sunday, so participants can park in the parking lot of the Activity Complex, 10919 S. Central Ave., and enjoy the festivities before heading out on bikes on the park’s roadways, which will be closed to motor vehicles. Visitors also can take a spin on a tandem bicycle provided by Syncd-N as well as try hand bikes designed for people with limited mobility or sight impairment, provided courtesy of Daring Adventures.            

     Groups and organizations that will be on hand with games and fun activities include Arizona Game and Fish Department, Arizona Herpetological Society, Liberty Wildlife, Leave No Trace, REI, National Civilian Community Corps, and Phoenix Police.

     More information on the parks, preserves and recreation facilities of the Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department is available online at phoenix.gov/parks. 
http://phoenix.gov/parks/trails/locations/south/

BOX CANYON

BOX CANYON of the HASSAYAMPA RIVER

Wickenburg

For most of its 100-mile course, the Hassayampa River flows only in subterranean channels.  But for roughly 14 miles, bedrock buoys the water above ground. Two of the easiest access points to the wet sections are The Nature Conservancy's Hassayampa River Preserve and Box Canyon.

While the preserve area is a quiet place with beautifully tame riverside trails, "The Box" is an outdoor recreation free-for-all. Hikers and equestrians share the waterway with motorized traffic, gold panners and raucous families with kids and dogs.  From the parking area, a rugged Jeep road descends from the lip of the canyon to the river gorge.  Here, the exploratory trek heads off in both directions.  Turn west to visit the rubble of defunct Mistake Mine, or go east along a water-hopping route that leads through the most spectacular section of the canyon where vertical walls of conglomerate rock pinch the water into lacy rivulets and shifting sandbars before exiting into the spillway of Dinosaur Wash. The canyon narrows are about a mile in length, and water levels vary with rainfall, so, be prepared to get your feet wet.

LENGTH: up to 1.5 miles each way

RATING: moderate

ELEVATION: 2295'-2240'

GETTING THERE:

From the US60/93 traffic circle in Wickenburg, go 4.6 miles north on US93 to Scenic Loop Road at milepost 195.  Turn right, drive 6.8 miles, take the right fork at a BLM "no dumping" sign and go 0.1 mile to the parking area. Scenic Loop is sedan-friendly graded dirt, however, some sections may wash out during heavy rain.

INFO: Bureau of Land Management, 623-580-5500

MAP: http://outwickenburgway.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Final-Wickenburg-Hiking-Brochure.pdf
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EARTH & SKY at USERY MOUNTAIN PARK

MOON ROCK TRAIL & THE STAR IN ORION'S ARMPIT

Usery Mountain Regional Park

Moon Rock Trail

Admit it--this trail's name got you wondering, right? So, is the tread way littered with lunar debris? Sort of.  According to park Interpretive Ranger Brennan Basler "Ranger B", the trail's moniker derives from the fact that both moon rocks and those that line this trail are igneous in origin. So, except for stronger gravity, the foot feel here would be similar to what the Apollo astronauts experienced.  Additionally, the park has much to offer geology and astronomy buffs. On the terrestrial level, the park is situated in the complex volcanic landscape of the Goldfield Mountains. The rugged terrain was created by fiery eruptions, lava flows, churning magma cauldrons and waves of ash laid down layer-cake-style over millions of years. This part of the earth is quieter these days, and although the rock's rough-edges are being smoothed by the elements and adorned by Sonoran Desert life, the area's natural history is preserved in trailside cliffs and gullies.

Above the park, a nighttime canopy of stars and planets is celebrated with an astronomy expert during stargazing events. The final telescope-peeping night out of the season will be held Saturday, Feb. 22, 2014 which is the perfect time to view a waning moon, and the planet Jupiter hovering above constellation Orion--the club and shield-wielding hunter.  Orion dominates the winter sky and includes one of the largest objects in the universe visible to the naked eye---the star Betelgeuse (say: beetle juice) in its armpit. The variable red super giant’s girth is about 1000 times that of our sun and if it were placed at the center of our solar system, it would engulf Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars and maybe even Jupiter. But, get out there to see it soon--it's nearing the end of its stellar lifecycle and will likely explode in super nova style in the next few thousand years, which in geological time, is tantamount to a wink.

Blevens Trail

LENGTH:  3.5-mile loop

RATING: easy

ELEVATION: 1860’ – 1895’

FEE: $6 daily fee per vehicle

GETTING THERE: 3939 N. Usery Pass Road, Mesa AZ

SUGGESTED HIKE USING MOON ROCK TRAIL:

From the trailhead staging area, hike 0.5-mile west on Blevins Trail (BL), connect to Moon Rock (MR) and continue 1.3 miles to Levee Trail (LV). Follow LV 0.5 mile to Crismon Wash Trail (CR-W), turn north (left), hike 0.9 mile back to BL, turn right and go 0.3 mile back to the trailhead.

STAR GAZING EVENT: Saturday, Feb. 22, 2014 at 7:30 p.m. Group Picnic Area D.  Bring a lawn chair and dress warmly. No registration required.  No pets.

INFO: Usery Mountain Regional Park, 480-984-0032

http://www.maricopa.gov/parks/usery/

PUPPY BOWL!

DOG ADOPTION HIKE: SATURDAY FEB. 1, 2014

Usery Mountain Regional Park

"Nazareth" participated in the January hike

With Super Bowl weekend comes your chance to enjoy the big game in a huddle with a new best buddy. This Saturday,  the public is invited to tackle the Merkle trail along with adoptable dogs from Maricopa County Animal Care’s Mesa shelter. “Wag & Walk” hiker dogs are already spayed or neutered and available to go home on the spot, usually at greatly reduced adoption fees. Many of these dogs have been waiting to find their forever homes for a very looooong time.  Could YOU be the hero that carries them the final yards for the "touch down" they've been dreaming about?  Even if you’re not looking for a new fur baby, hiking among a pack of happy tails makes for a memorable morning in the desert.

LENGTH: 1-mile loop

ELEVATION: 1950'

RATING: easy, barrier-free

FEE: $6 park entry fee per vehicle

TIME: 9 a.m.

GETTING THERE:

3939 N. Usery Pass Rd., Mesa AZ 85207

From Phoenx, travel east on US60 to the Ellsworth Road exit.  Go north on Ellsworth to the park entrance. Follow the main road to Merkel trailhead at PARKING AREA 6. 

INFO: Maricopa County Parks & Recreation, 480-984-0032

http://www.maricopa.gov/parks/usery/

BLACK HILL-GRANITE MOUNTAIN LOOP

BLACK HILL-GRANITE MOUNTAIN LOOP

McDowell Sonoran Preserve

Granite Mountain Loop

Sandwiched between palm-tree-caressed swaths of upscale homes, sprawling ranches and a wall of 7000-foot-high mountains rising over the Verde River Valley, Scottsdale's McDowell Sonoran Preserve is a refuge for marauding herds of javalina, deer and city dwelling hikers, bikers and equestrians looking to unwind. It's an open, airy place reminiscent of Montana's "big sky county" replete with far-reaching views and western character. The Black Hill Trail delves into the guts of this natural sanctuary, following a wide, decommissioned dirt road lined with jumbo saguaros and thickets of yucca.

Smothered in desert plant life, the area's myriad wildflowers and blooming shrubs erupt in brilliant waves beginning in January when blood-red chuparosa flowers and shock-yellow clusters of desert rock peas serve as opening acts for a riot of color that ends with the annual show-stopping blast of creamy white saguaro blossoms in May.

Black Hill Trail ends at Powerline Road where a battalion of electrical towers strung together over the desert reminds that civilization shares this space.  At this point, a network of connecting trails makes for endless hiking combinations. One to try is the 4.2-mile Granite Mountain Loop, which begins directly across the road. The trail's highest point is 2,780-foot "Scenic Overlook". Here, a patchwork of homes in the valley below mingles with pristine desert and the muted silhouettes of the Superstition Mountains on the southern horizon. Added goodies on the loop include a noble crested saguaro near the Branding Iron trail junction and an optional side trip to geological wonder, Balanced Rock.

Black Hill Trail

LENGTH: 8.8 miles (9.6 miles with Balanced Rock)

RATING: moderate

ELEVATION:  2540' - 2780'

HOURS: open daily sunrise to sunset

GETTING THERE: Fraesfield Trailhead.

From Loop 101 in Scottsdale, take the Princess/Pima exit 36 and go 6.5 miles north on Pima to Dynamite Blvd./Rio Verde Dr.  Turn right and go 5.6 miles to the trailhead on the left.  There's a restroom but no water at the trailhead.

Desert Rock Pea

INFO & MAP: McDowell Sonoran Preserve

http://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/Assets/Public+Website/preserve/Northern+Preserve+Map.pdf

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THUNDERBIRD CONSERVATION PARK

THUNDERBIRD CONSERVATION PARK

City of Glendale

Highpoint on Arrowhead Point (H2) Trail

With over 14 miles of trails spread over a 1,185-acre preserve, Thunderbird Conservation Park offers easy access to desert hiking. The park’s eight trails weave around Hedgpeth Hills---a chain of peaks capped with black basalt boulders tucked among subdivisions and bustling roadways. Bisected by 55th Avenue, the park's east and west sections are connected by a pedestrian bridge. Three of the trails ascend to summits with cityscape views while others wend around ridgelines and a wetland area with wildlife viewing blinds. Although the trails are currently identified by a nondescript number system (H1, H2, etc.), proposed new names are much more colorful and speak to each route’s distinct character. For instance, Flatlander (a.k.a. H1A), is---well, flat and sweat-free, while Chuckwalla Trail (H5A) meanders through the park’s prime “fat lizard” territory.  A good way to sample the trails and get an overview of the area is to hike  up to the flagpole on Arrowhead Point Trail (H2) and loop back on Coach Whip Trail (H1) with a side trip to the wetlands. This trek begins at the Pinnacle Peak Road trailhead and climbs swiftly to the 0.75-mile point where an American flag anchored in a pile of volcanic rubble denotes the park's highest point. While on the summit, see if you can spot the  dome of  University of Phoenix Stadium, which will be the venue for Super Bowl XLIX in 2015. From here, the trail descends down to a junction near some ramadas.  Go left to visit the lake, then backtrack for a 4-mile out-and-back trek.

LENGTH:

8 trails ranging from 0.25 to 5 miles.

RATING: easy to moderately difficult

ELEVATION: 1400'- 1862'

HOURS: sunrise to sunset daily

FACILITIES: restrooms, horse staging, shade ramadas

GETTING THERE:

North Entrance (as described here): Pinnacle Peak Road between 53rd and 55th Ave. Go north on I17 to the Pinnacle Peak Road exit 217 and drive 3.5 miles west to 55th Ave. 

Main Entrance: 22600 N. 59th Ave., Glendale

INFO:

http://www.glendaleaz.com/parksandrecreation/thunderbirdpark.cfm

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ECHO CANYON RECREATION AREA

ECHO CANYON SUMMIT TRAIL
Camelback Mountain 

Camelback Mountain as seen from Piestewa Peak

After being closed for improvements for nearly a year, the new Echo Canyon trailhead at Camelback Mountain was opened Wednesday, January, 15, 2014. Providing access to one of the most popular, iconic and infamously crowded in-town hikes, the new recreation site features smoother traffic flow, double the parking, restrooms, water and a stabilizing trail realignment. The summit of Camelback Mountain is the highest point in Phoenix and  the aggressive ascent is a prime workout for peak-bagging hikers and cardio trainers alike.
This trail is NOT RECOMMENDED for novice hikers or those who are not accustomed to desert conditions. Although it's frequently touted as a "must do" for out-of-state visitors, Summit Trail is not a walk in the park.  It's an insanely steep haul with loose footing, sheer drop offs and elbow-to-elbow foot traffic.  Prime season for the hike is from November through April.  Off-season temperatures can climb to the triple-digits making it downright dangerous to attempt.  Dehydration---which can be, and has been deadly--- is a common problem for hikers on this route. Additionally, the sheer volume of trekkers using this trail is taking a toll on the terrain---and with so many other wonderful Phoenix hiking destinations, it's smart to test your mettle elsewhere.

LENGTH: 1.23 miles one-way
ELEVATION: 1504' - 2704'
RATING: difficult

GETTING THERE:
4925 E. McDonald Drive, Phoenix
INFO: City of Phoenix, 602-261-8318
http://phoenix.gov/parks/trails/locations/camelback/camelpark.html

GIANT SAGUARO HIKE

BLUFF SPRING TRAIL to the GIANT SAGUARO

Superstition Wilderness

Giant Saguaro, Jan.11, 2014

Although it’s not the largest  ever discovered, the colossal cactus known as “Giant Saguaro” along Dutchman’s Trail is a commanding presence.  Balancing a massive, Medusa-like crown of spiny arms and isolated in a landscape where neighboring saguaros sport more modest profiles, this impressive plant grabs the spotlight.  But, it might not stand for much longer.  An ominous gray scale on its north side and what appears to have been a lighting strike in its core may spell its doom--who can say.  The probability that this cactus has been around for hundreds of years is a testament to its tenacity.  Whether it stands for one more year or another century, hikers with a love of natural curiosities should pay it a respectful visit.  The hike to the saguaro, begins at the Peralta trailhead on Bluff Spring Trail with the (infamous) climb of “cardiac hill”---a nearly 800’ ascent in less than a mile--and although the route has many ups-and-downs, this is the most challenging segment. Stay on Bluff Spring Trail to the 3.1-mile point, head north (straight ahead) on Dutchman’s Trail and follow it 1.7 miles to the giant saguaro.  You can’t miss it. EPITAPH 2016: The giant saguaro is officially dead and down.

water in Bark's Canyon

LENGTH: 9.7 miles round trip

RATING: difficult

ELEVATION: 2153' - 3184'

"Cardiac Hill"

GETTING THERE:

From Phoenix, go east on US60 to just past milepost 204 in Apache Junction, turn left at the "Peralta Trailhead" sign and follow Peralta Road (FR77) 8 miles to the trailhead. Six miles of FR77 is dirt with some washboard sections passable by carefully driven sedans.

INFO: Mesa Ranger District, Tonto National Forest, 480-610-3300

http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/tonto/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=35523&actid=50

Next Wag & Walk Dog Adoption hike is Saturday, Feb 1, 2014

WAG & WALK DOG ADOPTION HIKE: FEB. 1, 2014

Usery Mountain Regional Park, Mesa

Bark, I mean MARK your calendar (with a pen, not pee) for Saturday Feb. 1, 2014.  That's the date for the next Maricopa County Animal Care/County Parks DOG ADOPTION HIKE! On the first Saturday of each month from November through April, the public is invited to hike the Merkle Trail with adoptable dogs from Maricopa County Animal Care’s Mesa shelter. “Wag & Walk” hiker dogs are already spayed or neutered and available to go home on the spot, usually at reduced adoption fees.  Many of the dogs who participated in these hikes have found their "fur-ever" homes, and all of them certainly enjoyed strutting their stuff on the trail. 

The dogs also inspired some (human) hikers to become Day Foster Volunteers.  This special team takes dogs out of the shelter for a day, weekend or a few hours to walk, socialize or just to get some quiet time and extra attention.  Sound interesting?  Sign up here: http://www.maricopa.gov/Pets/help.aspx

LENGTH: 1-mile loop (Merkle Trail)

ELEVATION: 1950'

RATING: easy, barrier-free

FEE: $6 park entry fee per vehicle

FACILITIES: picnic tables, restrooms, water,

GETTING THERE:

3939 N. Usery Pass Rd., Mesa AZ 85207

From Phoenx, travel east on US60 to the Ellsworth Road exit.  Go north on Ellsworth to the park entrance.

TIME: 9 a.m. at the Merkle trailhead (area 6 parking).

INFO: Maricopa County Parks & Recreation, 480-984-0032

http://www.maricopa.gov/parks/usery/

EAST VALLEY TRIBUNE STORY ABOUT THE JANUARY HIKE:
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/get_out/events/collection_e9e6bcb4-77fc-11e3-8234-0019bb2963f4.html

HIKING WITH WOLVES

WOLVES IN ARIZONA 2014 UPDATE

No, that "wolf" you saw in South Mountain Park, Phoenix was probably a coyote. This is an easy assumption because Arizona wolves are rare and live in remote areas far from cities.

Hunted to near extinction in the last century,  reintroduction of Mexican Grey Wolves into east-central Arizona's Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests began in 1998.  Since then, the population  has grown to 13 packs consisting of 46 animals with functional radio collars and 5 single wolves. Both revered and reviled, the beasts roam mainly in the Blue Range Primitive Area near the New Mexico border. The recovery area includes many terrific White Mountains hiking trails and although wolves are generally not a threat to people, it's a good idea to know where the packs roam and how to handle an encounter. Back in 2006, I was lucky enough to spot a wolf while hiking in the Blue. The animal darted across the trail several yards ahead of me, then went behind a tree and froze. I froze too. While I tried to quietly get my camera, the beast peeked at me, tail twitching, giving me a good enough look at its face to determine that ,yes, this was a wolf, not a coyote. The wolf appeared frightened as he/she seemed to weigh escape options before bolting off into the forest. It was a moment I'll never forget! AZ Game & Fish has just posted a wolf project update on their website. There's lots of good information about the program and telemetry flight locations of the packs.

WOLF LOCATIONS AS OF 1-6-2014:

http://www.azgfd.gov/w_c/es/documents/IFD1.6.14.pdf

Arizona Game & Fish Wolf Info: 928-339-4329

http://www.azgfd.gov/w_c/es/wolf_reintroduction.shtml