Saguaro Down @ Echo Canyon

Weather:  92°, sunny

Time:  34 minutes

About this hike:  Disappointing 34 minutes.  Wasn't terribly crowded on this warm but pleasant afternoon.  I expected an empty mountain as the Cardinals were playing, but apparently there are others who don't care about football.

There's a big saguaro down about halfway up the trail and numerous branches and scrub strewn about.  I'm guess this is remnants from the big monsoon 2 weeks ago?

Anyway, was an uneventful but enjoyable hike.

Saguaro down

Midweek Stress Relief

Weather:  85°, overcast, increasing humidity

Time:  32 minutes

About this hike: I can only think the heat and increased humidity slowed me down today.  I really expected a better than 32 minutes.

There were a lot of kids up there today, which I blame on the public schools being on fall break.  I realize instilling a love of nature/hiking in your kids is a good thing, but seriously, couldn't parents/scout leaders go to South Mountain or Papago--preferably trails that aren't double-black diamonds?!  Kids freak out at railings.  Kids fall and get hurt.  They're nearly as bad as dogs (which people continue to bring despite the ban).

Anyway, I'm just being a grumpy hiker.  I am continually thankful for our city's trails, mountains, and preserves, and the fact that parking at trailheads remains unmetered!

Overall an enjoyable hike and I got to watch the crazy clouds building in all around the Valley.  Word is there's a monsoon on the way this week...

First Camelback Climb of October

Weather:  80°, sunny, lower humidity

Time:  30 minutes

About this hike:  I don't know if it was an even 30 minutes. I always round down a bit as a handicap to make up for bottlenecks along the trail, which there were plenty of this morning.  Surprisingly the worst hold ups were near the summit and then on the descent near the trailhead past the railroad ties.  The usual trouble areas such as the railings weren't bad.  At one point on the descent there was no one else around me and I just enjoyed the serenity and spirtuality of the red rock cliffs surrounding me.

Parking wasn't too bad this morning, despite over-eager park rangers having the "Lot Full" sign on display.  I had no problem scoring a spot (last Saturday there was no sign and it took me ~3 laps to get spot).  By the time I left (~10:40) the main lot had plenty of open spaces.  Must enjoy it...winter's coming with all it's tourists (and Superbowl...ugh).

On the ascent I discovered a side trail to the left of the main trail that is actually easier for getting to the summit.  Found this by accident trying to get around a bottleneck of slow hikers.

The ocotillos are blooming and look absolutely beautiful, testament to all the rain we've had as recent as one week ago.  Today was honestly everything I could hope for in a Saturday morning hike.

Monsoon Rains, Black Labs, Parking Woes & More

Weather:  83°, humid, partly cloudy, breezy, overnight rain

Time:  32.5 minutes

About this hike:  This one felt like a bonus...mentally I was prepared for the gully washer of a Saturday Fox10's accuweather kept forecasting. I awoke to sunny Phoenix skies and puddles from overnight rain.

Of course the Valley was very humid this morning, but I was undeterred from my hike...apparently a lot of other people got the memo too.  I took multiple circles around the parking lot before I  could score a spot.  Naturally a crowded trailhead parking lot means crowded trails. The time taken accounts for a large handicap.  We had children freaking out at the rails this morning.  I'm all for instilling kids with the joy of nature/hiking, but couldn't you choose something more suitable for their skill level, like South Mountain?!

Spent a lot of time at the summit...it just felt so zen and spiritual up there today.  I watched airplanes approach from the north/northwest and land at Sky Harbor. I took some panos of the mountains and crazy monsoon clouds to the north and west.  I tried to play with an (off leash, not permitted in the park) adorable black lab puppy.  I met some interesting hikers and we shared war stories about climbing the Superstitions.  All in all today was an awesome hike.  Can't wait to do it again :)

Looking north at Piestewa Peak, Mummy Mtn, McDowells

Looking south at Sierra Estrellas

Glad it waited til afternoon--but here comes the monsoon!

Back to the Camel!

Weather:  89°, humid, partly cloudy, RAIN

Time:  Not taken

About this hike:  Felt so good to be back at Camelback after being out of town the last 2 Saturdays.  I am recovering from a cold and decided I wouldn't even bother taking my time as I've been fatigued a lot lately.  Now I wish I would've.  While I made plenty of stops, once I got going the hike made me feel a lot better and I moved pretty quick.

My time at the summit was cut short by a rain shower. I knew it was coming as I could see the Valley to the east had a fine mist over it.  Rain didn't last long, but made the rocks incredibly slick going down.  Nothing I haven't experienced a few times before, but just the same I was having gory visions of a broken ankle. Gratefully I made it down ok; in fact the trail was dry and the sun back out by the time I reached the trailhead.

I had my old Skecher Punisher hiking boots on today.  Even though I replaced these back in March, I got it in my head that they were still good.  The soles are nice and cushy; the bottoms have very poor tread.  That made the slick rocks even more fun.  Rather than let myself be tempted to wear them again, they didn't go home with me.  (I trashed them--I don't condone littering!)

Near the bottom a guy and girl in front of me commented about a recent hike at Diamond Head in Honolulu, HI.  Totally random--exactly a week ago today I was climbing Diamond Head in Hawaii.  Was an awesome hike and one I'd go back to Honolulu just to do again!

With daytime highs only around >100, fall is here in the Valley.  Here's to many more hikes, crowded trails, and tourist season!

Not the view from Camelback...but as long as we're talking about
Diamond Head on Oahu...

Labor of Love

Weather:  97°, sunny, HOT

Time:  33.5 minutes

About this hike:  The crowd was as expected for a holiday. Parking was still plentiful. Have I mentioned how grateful I am to the City of Phoenix for 1) building the new Echo Canyon parking area and 2) not putting up parking meters?

Heat was rough today.  I definitely stopped more than expected to catch my breath and chug Powerade.

At the top I was summoned (just like on Saturday!) to be everyone's personal photographer.  I took some pix of one couple who insisted on returning the favor.  I've got some goofy shots of me on the west side of the Camelback summit looking toward Piestewa Peak.  None of them are worth posting on here.

Celebration of Free Parking

Weather:  90°, sunny, breezy, notably less humid

Time:  33 minutes

About this hike:  It's going to be a hot one today and yet the heat didn't get to me nearly as much this morning.  Goes to show that humidity really is the factor that wears me down, because today was a lot less humid than my past few previous hikes.

Despite the temps the mountain was fairly crowded.  While parking wasn't hard to come by, personal space on the trails was a challenge.  A lot of out-of-towners here for the Labor Day holiday I imagine.

Last night it was announced that City of Phoenix is dropping the parking meter proposal at the mountain parks/preserves.  I am glad I wrote my elected officials and glad that citizens rallied on this one.  Yes, parking is a nightmare during high season in the winter.  But shouldn't we as a city celebrate these points of pride that visitors and locals alike come out in droves to enjoy?