Weather: 68º, heavy clouds, windy
Time: 24 minutes
About this Hike: Cloudy skies, breezy conditions, and a not-too-hot air temp all spurred me to the summit quicker than my most recent hikes. Although the mountain was crowded, I managed to find moments of respite from the crowds.
Overall a quick, routine hike on a beautiful late winter day.
Sunday, March 5, 2017
Monday, February 20, 2017
Presidental Piestewa
Weather: 62º, sunny
Time: 26 minutes
About this Hike: This has been a rainy, cool weekend. The past few years February's arrival has brought with it highs in the 90's. The fact our short Phoenix winter is hanging on in 2017 is nothing I'll complain about.
Despite some lingering clouds, this morning the sun was shining through. Lower temps were all but cancelled out by the notable higher humidity. I believe this is the reason for a 26 minute time to the summit.
This is the first year I've had President's Day as a paid company holiday—as did the rest of the Valley, it seems. The crowding on the mountain was bad at times today.. On the ascent there were periods of peace and respite. However, on the descent I couldn't get into a good cadence. I had other hikers constantly nipping at my heels, while less experienced hikers on their way up would stop and block the trail in front of me. Needless to say, I was grouchy by the time this one was finished.
BUT, I had to put on a happy face... Walking back to my car I ran into one of my neighbors who happened to be searching for a parking spot to do her own hike. She graciously drove me back to the residential area where I was parked. I suggested she park there as well, considering the number of cars circling the main lots....
Time: 26 minutes
About this Hike: This has been a rainy, cool weekend. The past few years February's arrival has brought with it highs in the 90's. The fact our short Phoenix winter is hanging on in 2017 is nothing I'll complain about.
Despite some lingering clouds, this morning the sun was shining through. Lower temps were all but cancelled out by the notable higher humidity. I believe this is the reason for a 26 minute time to the summit.
This is the first year I've had President's Day as a paid company holiday—as did the rest of the Valley, it seems. The crowding on the mountain was bad at times today.. On the ascent there were periods of peace and respite. However, on the descent I couldn't get into a good cadence. I had other hikers constantly nipping at my heels, while less experienced hikers on their way up would stop and block the trail in front of me. Needless to say, I was grouchy by the time this one was finished.
BUT, I had to put on a happy face... Walking back to my car I ran into one of my neighbors who happened to be searching for a parking spot to do her own hike. She graciously drove me back to the residential area where I was parked. I suggested she park there as well, considering the number of cars circling the main lots....
Saturday, February 11, 2017
Open House at Piestewa
Weather: 68º, partly cloudy
Time: 25 minutes
About this Hike: Not a bad time posted considering the mountain was very crowded. Pretty typical for a Saturday morning in February. This was a rough week filled with mass layoffs at work (I'm spared, for now) and some other unsettling job-related news. To say I had some anger and frustration spurring me on would be an understatement...
Otherwise the hike was very uneventful. A bottleneck always forms right as the trail gives way to the summit. This is due to some light scrambling that's required onto the summit. Rather than fight through this, I chose to just pivot and head back down.
After the hike I returned to my car which was parked on one of the surrounding residential streets. I've had my eye on a home that for sale in that neighborhood. Imagine city views and hike-out access to the Phoenix Mountain Preserve. While the $619k asking price may be just a bit out of my price range (by about half-a-million—plus I may be out of a job soon), I noticed an 'Open House' sign. Right after the hike I was far from presentable compared to the suit-and-tie clad Realtor, but I invited myself in. So anyway, peeping at an open house, and daring to dream, were definitely the highlights of this hike.
Time: 25 minutes
About this Hike: Not a bad time posted considering the mountain was very crowded. Pretty typical for a Saturday morning in February. This was a rough week filled with mass layoffs at work (I'm spared, for now) and some other unsettling job-related news. To say I had some anger and frustration spurring me on would be an understatement...
Otherwise the hike was very uneventful. A bottleneck always forms right as the trail gives way to the summit. This is due to some light scrambling that's required onto the summit. Rather than fight through this, I chose to just pivot and head back down.
After the hike I returned to my car which was parked on one of the surrounding residential streets. I've had my eye on a home that for sale in that neighborhood. Imagine city views and hike-out access to the Phoenix Mountain Preserve. While the $619k asking price may be just a bit out of my price range (by about half-a-million—plus I may be out of a job soon), I noticed an 'Open House' sign. Right after the hike I was far from presentable compared to the suit-and-tie clad Realtor, but I invited myself in. So anyway, peeping at an open house, and daring to dream, were definitely the highlights of this hike.
Sunday, February 5, 2017
Supra Piestewa Hike
Weather: 71º, sunny
Time: 25 minutes
About this Hike: With the WM PHX Open in town the trails were as expected: crowded. I didn't even bother visiting the main parking lots first; I just parked off site.
Despite the crowds I powered through and made good time to the summit. Despite low air temperatures, the sun was intense during this late-morning hike.
Upon returning to the trailhead there was a final-generation Toyota Supra and an early-2000's Acura Integra in the queue for a parking spot. While I took pictures of their ricey cars, the driver of the Supra looked expectantly at me...I realized he was hoping to nab my parking spot. Since I was parked off-site no luck for him...
Otherwise an enjoyable, routine hike—a great opportunity to burn some calories before tonight. Word is there's a big game on TV....
Time: 25 minutes
About this Hike: With the WM PHX Open in town the trails were as expected: crowded. I didn't even bother visiting the main parking lots first; I just parked off site.
Despite the crowds I powered through and made good time to the summit. Despite low air temperatures, the sun was intense during this late-morning hike.
Upon returning to the trailhead there was a final-generation Toyota Supra and an early-2000's Acura Integra in the queue for a parking spot. While I took pictures of their ricey cars, the driver of the Supra looked expectantly at me...I realized he was hoping to nab my parking spot. Since I was parked off-site no luck for him...
Otherwise an enjoyable, routine hike—a great opportunity to burn some calories before tonight. Word is there's a big game on TV....
Saturday, January 28, 2017
Chilly Start & Flag Runners - Piestewa
Weather: 47º, sunny
Time: 25.5 minutes
About this Hike: A cold night in the mid-thirties led to a chilly start today. But with clear skies and sunshine, plus my choice of wearing a thermal, I was plenty warm on this hike.
Piestewa had it's typical Saturday crowding, albeit not the worst I've ever seen.
Two guys that call themselves "Flag Runners" were at the summit. Older, yet extremely fit gentlemen, they carry Old Glory up the mountain and proudly display her. A number of people were taking pictures with them. I just chose to take a picture of them. I'm wondering if these aren't the guys who were in the news recently posting flags on other mountains in Glendale and running into issues with Glendale's Parks & Rec Dept...
Otherwise an enjoyable, uneventful hike.
Time: 25.5 minutes
About this Hike: A cold night in the mid-thirties led to a chilly start today. But with clear skies and sunshine, plus my choice of wearing a thermal, I was plenty warm on this hike.
Piestewa had it's typical Saturday crowding, albeit not the worst I've ever seen.
Two guys that call themselves "Flag Runners" were at the summit. Older, yet extremely fit gentlemen, they carry Old Glory up the mountain and proudly display her. A number of people were taking pictures with them. I just chose to take a picture of them. I'm wondering if these aren't the guys who were in the news recently posting flags on other mountains in Glendale and running into issues with Glendale's Parks & Rec Dept...
Otherwise an enjoyable, uneventful hike.
 |
| Flag Runners |
Friday, January 13, 2017
Soilders Pass & The Seven Sacred Pools
Weather: 47º, overcast, misty
About this Hike: I first experienced the Soilders Pass trail in September of 2016. This was during my weeklong hiatus in Red Rock Country. During that visit I made it a theme of the trip to explore the Dry Creek / West Sedona trails in depth.
Soilders Pass is a hike with early rewards. Starting off is Devil's Kitchen Sinkhole. Shortly thereafter are the Seven Sacred Pools of Sedona. In September when I visited they were filled with stagnant water and at least one had scary mutant-looking tadpoles swimming about.
Anyway, on this particular Friday parking was a nightmare. The small trailhead is in a ritzy residential neighborhood where you best not even think of parking on the street. At the back of the trailhead is a turnaround area and a Jeep road. I waited in this area for at least 30 minutes for a parking spot. Jeepers and ATVs were whizzing by dangerously close to my car. Of course others were waiting too. As the first batch of hikers came off the trail, I (politely) informed other waiters I had been there first. Surprisingly nobody gave me a hard time. As the previous hikers backed out I enacted the universal sign of a claimed parking spot—I sat their anxiously, turn signal flashing...
I hoped with all the recent rain the pools would be a little fuller/cleaner. They were better, and no tadpoles this time. After the pools Soilers Pass gives way to red rock scenery and small arroyos. This opens up to magnificent cliffs as you start to ascend Brins Mesa. Near the top of Brins Mesa U.S. Forest Service Rangers were trimming manzanita bushes. A misty rain was falling off and on. I didn't go far on Brins Mesa. Someday under better conditions I'd like to go further on Brins and see where it leads to.
Despite the parking wait time and somewhat soggy conditions, this hike was totally worth it. Soilders Pass is a great winter-day (or any time!) hike in West Sedona.
About this Hike: I first experienced the Soilders Pass trail in September of 2016. This was during my weeklong hiatus in Red Rock Country. During that visit I made it a theme of the trip to explore the Dry Creek / West Sedona trails in depth.
Soilders Pass is a hike with early rewards. Starting off is Devil's Kitchen Sinkhole. Shortly thereafter are the Seven Sacred Pools of Sedona. In September when I visited they were filled with stagnant water and at least one had scary mutant-looking tadpoles swimming about.
Anyway, on this particular Friday parking was a nightmare. The small trailhead is in a ritzy residential neighborhood where you best not even think of parking on the street. At the back of the trailhead is a turnaround area and a Jeep road. I waited in this area for at least 30 minutes for a parking spot. Jeepers and ATVs were whizzing by dangerously close to my car. Of course others were waiting too. As the first batch of hikers came off the trail, I (politely) informed other waiters I had been there first. Surprisingly nobody gave me a hard time. As the previous hikers backed out I enacted the universal sign of a claimed parking spot—I sat their anxiously, turn signal flashing...
I hoped with all the recent rain the pools would be a little fuller/cleaner. They were better, and no tadpoles this time. After the pools Soilers Pass gives way to red rock scenery and small arroyos. This opens up to magnificent cliffs as you start to ascend Brins Mesa. Near the top of Brins Mesa U.S. Forest Service Rangers were trimming manzanita bushes. A misty rain was falling off and on. I didn't go far on Brins Mesa. Someday under better conditions I'd like to go further on Brins and see where it leads to.
Despite the parking wait time and somewhat soggy conditions, this hike was totally worth it. Soilders Pass is a great winter-day (or any time!) hike in West Sedona.
Thursday, January 12, 2017
Cold Nordic Center
Weather: 29º, windy, overcast, cold. Some light flurries
About this Hike: I love snowshoeing the Flagstaff Nordic Center (FNC). In past years I've experienced a range of conditions from so warm that we're trying to snowshoe on the waning white stuff, to fresh powder transforming the ponderosa forest into a winter wonderland.
FNC Adventure 2017 was sort of a mix between the two above-mentioned conditions. It was the coldest, gloomiest day I've ever snowshoed here. There was a biting wind. While I warmed up once I got going, I was also grateful to be bundled up and have hand warmers. However, Flagstaff had been warm in the days leading up to today. In fact, downtown Flag had no snow, just bare ground. On the drive up US 180 I began to get very nervous we were wasting a trip, despite checking the daily trail conditions and the webcam prior to leaving Sedona.
It wasn't until right before the FNC (~8000 feet) that the ground began to snow a solid base of white.
All trails branch from the FNC Lodge, and at this starting point the snow was icy and crusty. In fact, these were the conditions on most of the lower trails, although the trails were well groomed as usual by FNC staff. As we ascended on Lava Trail (several hundred feet of elevation gain) the snow became significantly deeper and turned to powder. It was snowshoe heaven up there. A light, misty snow began to fall and the ponderosas were covered in white. Heavy clouds masked the usual spectacular views of Humphrey's and the San Francisco Peaks.
I love the FNC. I feel safe snowshoeing there. With ample parking, a lodge, international Nordic symbols decorating the trees, cell reception, and well-mapped trails, it's convenient. However, I've covered most every snowshoe trail in that place. The ponderosas and aspens, while magnificent, are repetitive scenery. I'd like to branch out and snowshoe (not to mention hike in the summertime) in the White Mountains next. Or perhaps I need to learn to cross-country ski...there's still a lot of FNC I haven't seen from the ski trails...
About this Hike: I love snowshoeing the Flagstaff Nordic Center (FNC). In past years I've experienced a range of conditions from so warm that we're trying to snowshoe on the waning white stuff, to fresh powder transforming the ponderosa forest into a winter wonderland.
FNC Adventure 2017 was sort of a mix between the two above-mentioned conditions. It was the coldest, gloomiest day I've ever snowshoed here. There was a biting wind. While I warmed up once I got going, I was also grateful to be bundled up and have hand warmers. However, Flagstaff had been warm in the days leading up to today. In fact, downtown Flag had no snow, just bare ground. On the drive up US 180 I began to get very nervous we were wasting a trip, despite checking the daily trail conditions and the webcam prior to leaving Sedona.
It wasn't until right before the FNC (~8000 feet) that the ground began to snow a solid base of white.
All trails branch from the FNC Lodge, and at this starting point the snow was icy and crusty. In fact, these were the conditions on most of the lower trails, although the trails were well groomed as usual by FNC staff. As we ascended on Lava Trail (several hundred feet of elevation gain) the snow became significantly deeper and turned to powder. It was snowshoe heaven up there. A light, misty snow began to fall and the ponderosas were covered in white. Heavy clouds masked the usual spectacular views of Humphrey's and the San Francisco Peaks.
I love the FNC. I feel safe snowshoeing there. With ample parking, a lodge, international Nordic symbols decorating the trees, cell reception, and well-mapped trails, it's convenient. However, I've covered most every snowshoe trail in that place. The ponderosas and aspens, while magnificent, are repetitive scenery. I'd like to branch out and snowshoe (not to mention hike in the summertime) in the White Mountains next. Or perhaps I need to learn to cross-country ski...there's still a lot of FNC I haven't seen from the ski trails...
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