Well after pm Laurie I decided to hit the end of 136st and see what was out there. I checked out the little map box but all that was in it was rules on what to do and what not to do for atv's. And of course driving to the end of the road I did notice where it washed out from the last storm and decided Granite Mountain Trailhead was the safe bet.
When I got back to the trailhead it was empty. I really had no game plan as to where I was going to hike so I just started hiking.
I ended up starting on 136st Express and just keep going until I came across a sign that read Bards Trail then I hit it. It ended in the Old Paint Wash and that's when I seen the sign for Renegade Trail and I jumped on it. I will have to say this is my new favorite trail in the MSPN. This trail runs up and along a few small hills. these hills have great views on both sides. I got to come back in the fall and spend more time exploring all these new trail.

WOW - The Divide is a gorgeous trail!!! Hard to access in a day hike during school hours. But I found a way. Parked at Granite Mountain Trailhead. Called Uber cab and paid $17 to get up to the last house on Stagecoach Road. Took Powerline Trail #1 to Dove Valley then down The Divide. Lots of little rock formations. Found a fire ring - so stupid WTF. Saw old signs with yielding for jeeps, motorcycles, etc. from when this was AZGF Multi-Use Granite Mtn area.

Spotted a double crested saguaro on Branding Iron (in retrospect I had seen it before but mistook it for the Coyote Canyon double crested -but is way different not sure what I was thinking).

Made it back home in time to clean up - power nap - caffeine - then school pick up! Life as a Mom-hiker.

What a perfect day for a nice little hike. I met Linda at the Granite Mountain Trailhead. This was her first time here so I decided to show her some of my favorite areas. The temperature was very nice with a nice welcome breeze.
We started at the Bootlegger Trail and worked our way to the Balanced Rock then continued to the Cholla Mtn Loop Trail. From here we connected to the Branding Iron Trail where I pointed out a Crested Saguaro along they as the trail became the Granite Mountain Loop Trail. We stayed on this trail until we reached the Coyote Canyon Trail turn off and head down it. I took Linda to the nice size Crested Saguaro that's on this trail. And it was time for Rowdy to take a water break of course in the shade.
I figured while we were here to take a little side trip down Soapberry Wash Trail to checkout the Michelin Man Saguaro. From here we went back and finished the Coyote Canyon Trail and head back to the trailhead so Linda could pick up her little ones from school. We did have the pleasure of also see two Cardinals. Just a really nice smooth little hike.

Well i hit the trail at about 11am and was lucking to find a parking spot. I am not sure whats going on but it seems like every place is busy right now.
There were all kinds of people out today. I saw bike riders and groups of hikers plus some climbers and horseback riders. The weather was nice and Rowdy and I really enjoyed the cool breeze as did a lot of other people. When we got back to the trailhead there were just a few cars left. All n' all Rowdy and I really had a great day together.

ATC challenge update: 131.6/133.4

Almost there for ATC! Last few years Brad has planned Thursday days off from work for date hikes and this is our first of 2015. He yields to me to pick the hike and I try to find areas that he hasn't seen before.

It was a very chilly and windy 45 degrees at Granite Mtn trailhead and we layered up with several hats and coats.

Powerline Rd #2 Granite Mtn Granite Mtn Loop Branding Iron Cholla Mtn loop Balanced Rock (lunch at balanced rock) Chuck Wagon Powerline Rd #2 Black Hill Turpentine 136th Street Express the road where Brad picked me up like a hitchhiker

Saw only 5 other people all day. Wind was killer. Branding Iron is pretty and you can see the double crested saguaro over on nearby Coyote Canyon trail. Love the juniper trees on Balanced Rock - crazy to see juniper in MSP (but is 2856 feet elevation).

Went home - took quick nap - picked up kids - ballet class - then with kids straight to community center hot tub spa to soak muscles. Awesome day.

The dog was begging for a walk. He just loves hiking but at 12, he just can't do what he used to be able to do. I ended up carrying him on the uphill portions of the last 2 miles.

This hike was chilly at the start so we set a pretty good pace. On the east side of Granite Mountain, we caught up to Richard and a friend. We hiked with them a bit, discussed linking, until they headed off trail to climb Granite Mountain.

We saw 8 horses, a dozen mountain bikers and a dozen hikers out enjoying the day.

This is a well established area with pristine trails perfect for low AEG hikes, Mountain Biking, and dog walking. I'll bet Scottsdale has eradicated all instances of Catsclaw in a 5 mile radius of their trails.