Christmas Atop Camelback

Weather:  49°, sunny

Time:  33 minutes

About this hike:  I sure have missed a lot of weeks.  But weekends are often filled with other things now--even better than hiking our beautiful Phoenix mountains!

Today I was able to make it back to Camelback.  I think I'm a little out of shape after all these weeks off.  While 33 minutes isn't bad, I had to take quite a few breaks.  Not acceptable in cooler weather. Parking was among the most challenging I've ever dealt with, but a little creativity got me in the gate at my secret parking spot.

Primary reason I put up with Camelback and all it's crowdedness today was to see the Christmas tree on top.  It did not disappoint.  Santa was up there as well, taking photos and passing out candy canes.  Despite the sub-50 degree temps, shortly after starting out I had to take off my hoodie.  A Santa suit had to be warm for hiking up in.

Piestewa Peak & New Shoes

Weather:  68°, sunny

Time:  25 minutes

About this hike:  I just did not have the patience today to deal with the crowds that are sure to be at Camelback Echo Canyon.  Doubtful that my little secret spot would have their parking garage open today either.  Add in the fact that I'm re-gaining my appreciation for Piestewa Peak (was my spot for over a year when Echo was closed), and this morning's hike was all but decided for me.

Upon arrival I chose to park on a residential side street assuming the main lots would be full. The trailhead lot actually had a few spots available. However, you wouldn't know it from the crowd on the mountain. From their conversations you could tell a lot were tourists/visitors, likely hiking off Thanksgiving feasts.

So achieving a 25 minute time was no easy task.  I had to push hard and be aggressive around some of these slower tourists.  Despite cooler temps, I had to stop a few times too.  Disappointing since at one time I could go at this mountain without a rest til the summit.

I broke in a Black Friday gift to myself of new Coleman hiking shoes.  I'm leery of the brand even if they are renown for their camping gear.  However, for the first hike the Colemans were comfortable with good padding in the sole and a solid rubber toe.  We'll see how they hold up.  These are to replace a cheap pair of Denalis which lasted me since March and went thru Grand Canyon and countless other strenuous hikes.  The uppers are still in great condition but the soles are hurting my feet now.

Thankful for Camelback

Weather:  71°, sunny

Time:  31.5 minutes

About this hike:  Crowded the day before Thanksgiving.  I don't know if extra paranoia or what, but it seemed like everyone was staring at me and/or purposely getting in my way.  Annoying at times.

Regardless, lots to be thankful for--great weather, the ability to hike, that Echo Canyon is open again, that parking isn't metered at the trailhead...

Speaking of parking, I'm thankful I found a good spot.  It was a little tough to come by when I arrived.  Lot was pretty open by the time I got back to the trailhead.

Unexpectedly Piestewa

Weather:  70°, sunny

Time:  ~25 minutes

About this hike:  Planned on going to Camelback around 11:30am.  I arrived at Echo Canyon and the line of cars waiting to get in was out to the traffic circle on Tatum Blvd.  I turned around at the guard shack and went to my favorite "secret" parking spot whose gates were all closed.

Instead of being pissed I was surprisingly docile as I drove down Lincoln St. to Piestewa Peak.  Piestewa was not nearly as packed and a trail-head parking spot was an easy score.  I'm so glad I did Piestewa today...

At the summit two friends asked me to get a picture of them together.  We ended up chatting for over an hour at the summit and then hiked down together.  A big reason I maintain this blog (besides having a count of all my hikes) is because so many hikes hold something interesting and unique.

So yeah, today was a good pre-Turkey Day hike.  With reduced work hours this coming week, here's hoping for a few more.

Been a While--Piestewa by Night

Weather:  70°, sunset

About this hike:  Got to experience this special sunset-and-city-lights hike with somebody very special :)  On the way down we used headlamps and thank God nobody was hurt.  There were a few other hikers lighting up the hillside but overall a quiet night on Piestewa.

The Best Kind of Monday....

Weather:  70°, sunny

About this hike:  Got to introduce someone special  to their first Camelback hike :)  Was a cooler day, and the crowd was surprisingly heavy for a Monday.  Granted, parking wasn't hard to find, but still, this place is not abandoned even on a weekday.  A very enjoyable hike.

Busy Saturday at Echo Canyon

Weather:  90°, sunny

Time:  35 minutes

About this hike:  Really disappointed in my time this morning.  Not sure what the problem was.  The mountain was crowded but I didn't experience any bottlenecks until on the way down.

Ended up parked off site again.  Added a lot of extra time waste and made me wish I had done Piestewa this morning.  Despite that, I did enjoy my time at Camelback.