Kimberly and I have been some hiking fools as of late. We plan on keeping it up throughout the Fall and Winter (and hopefully forever for that matter) working up to a big Grand Canyon hike down into Havasu Falls this Spring. If you have never seen pictures of the place, click on the link - easily one of ‘those places’ on this planet where is doesn’t get any better. So we are really looking forward to it. But there is no doubt for folks of our youthful age, it is still a challenge. The only way to really do the trip is the right way - and that includes a couple of days in the Canyon, living off, sleeping on, drinking, etc whatever you were able to hike on down with. So the plan is to keep hammering away and working our way in to ‘Grand Canyon Overnight Hiking Shape’. Needless to say, it’s been a blast practicing so far. Great weather, unbelievable locations, time with each other in nature, great exercise, and a great way to spend a weekend day.
We are trying to get at least one good hike a week. In the last four weeks we have done four good trails:
1. The two Lake Pleasant Trails - These are shorter paths, but by doing out-n-back on each you can still get about 8 miles of hiking. The day we went was about the windiest I can remember here (non monsoon) in forever. Made the heat a little more bearable, but the breeze was so strong it was like pushing you back (or forward) the whole hike. We did see some wild burro’s which was pretty cool, and you have lake views almost the whole of the trails.
2. White Tank Mountains - We did a loop where you hit 3 different trails. We totaled about 11 miles, and we really had a great pace the whole trip with only a pause for a quick protein bar. We found a skeleton right in our path that was not really recognizable and almost fully intact. After getting home we are now pretty sure it was a Javalina. You can see pictures in our picture section if you are curious. This was a fairly tough trail. While half the trip was easy with a level desert walk, or walking in the wash, a good chunk was scrambling over rocks, and hands were required. They even label the area ‘hazardous’. All in all not too bad, though it was a hot one that day as we set another record.
3. Go John Trail in Cave Creek - another great desert hike with a decent trail. The trail is only about 6.2 miles, but we did a little err umm… side detour adding a couple more miles to our day. this wasn’t really expected, but as can happen on these desert trails, there was a branch that seemed to fit the bill and next thing you know…you are back tracking and adding more miles. Overall a cool trail that’s only about 45 minutes from home.
4. Peralta Canyon and decent to Weavers Needle in the Superstition Mountains - This trail we did just yesterday. While we ended up doing about 9 miles only (2 less than the White Tanks), I found it to be the hardest yet. It also provided the most unique views and formations of any desert hike we have taken. The trail is tough for 2 reasons, elevation changes and trail condition. Right from the trailhead you start up the Canyon and for the first 2.3 miles (where you hit the first view of Weaver’s Needle) you do not take one level or downward step. In fact, over the 2.3 you gain about 1440 feet of elevation. So while 2.3 miles may not sound too tough, think about walking up the stairs on a 140 story building while you are doing it - AND the steps are rocks of every which size under your feet. Once at the top, you descend down a couple of more miles into the next Canyon to get a closer look at the Needle. Same story, only down. So the whole of the 9 mile day was either going up or going down. No flat, and no smooth path. Aside form the challenge though, what a great day. We had our lunch at the base of the Needle (see Kimberly Pic), saw Geronimo’s Cave and the weather was much milder than it has been. Again, another perfect weekend day hike.
Lot’s more coming, and we will try to keep up with our progress here on the blog (and pictures in the picture section of our site). If you are ever wanting something to do on a weekend, come out and join us - we got some great ones upcoming.
Quick little FYI: For those who did not grow up with Rock-n-Roll on the turntable, the story headline is from a Who song - seemed very appropriate for the views we have enjoyed on these hikes.
