Flat long hikes

[RowdyandMe]

Well it looks like I may be having surgery again. And I asked my doctor about hiking and pretty much said I need to do it on flat areas no Peak climbing.
So I am looking for suggestions.
Thanks

[SpiderLegs]

The canals

[chumley]

Sorry to hear about the additional surgery.

You can get good mileage on the flat paths adjacent to canals. (There are some that are closed, but many are open specifically for walking and biking. Some even have specific traffic-controlled crossings, bridges, or tunnels.

Another option is mall walking.
http://www.azfamily.com/story/28338210/ ... mer-months
Most malls open at 6am just for walkers!

The City of Scottsdale has a neighborhood trail system. There are nice paths that all the fancy developments have to build, and they connect with one another. The paths are open to the public, even if they go through a private, gated development.
Check out the master plan on their website for more details:
http://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/transportat ... ils-system

One of the most popular HAZ all-time favorites is the https://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=114

[RowdyandMe]

@chumley
Well this time it will be shoulder surgery and my doctor wants a second opinion. But it sounds like they want to start with a exploring my shoulder with a small camera.
I have a lot of damage to it and their not sure where to start.

[rcorfman]

There're lots of flat miles around the Apache Wash trailhead, but you know that. The Maricopa Trail has a lot of flat trail out from east of Lake Pleasant to the White Tanks. I just noticed that there isn't any of it on HAZ. I don't know what's up with that. There's also a lot of flat Maricopa Trail from Anthem east too.

[Hansenaz]

Looks like it's time to become a mesa petroglyph hunter Larry! Rowdy might not like the off trail though....

[RowdyandMe]

Well I am looking for smooth trails until my shoulder is healed. The last thing I need is to fall and try to catch my self.

[JoelHazelton]

Black Canyon Trail between Table Mesa Rd and Hwy 69. The South end is real flat except for dipping in and out of the Agua Fria.

[big_load]

There are several fairly long hikes on old railroad beds.

[chumley]

There are several fairly long hikes on old railroad beds.

But it's a lot more interesting to hike on the currently active ones.

[skatchkins]

There are several fairly long hikes on old railroad beds.

But it's a lot more interesting to hike on the currently active ones.

Or ride them. As long as your wheels and axle are metal, the crossing arms go down for you...

*And the first time you set off the bells and lights, auditory experience will have you lightning fast clambering off your ride no matter that your eyes see no mention of a train anywhere.

[big_load]

There are several fairly long hikes on old railroad beds.

But it's a lot more interesting to hike on the currently active ones.

I did plenty of that in my youth. My back yard ended at the Rock Island tracks, which also included a handy siding.

[Dschur]

Peavine Trail in Prescott is really good one for long and flat! Is an old railroad bed...

[joebartels]

https://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=15794

https://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=3067

https://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=1617

https://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=2391

https://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=2216

https://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=499

[nathanbrisk]

Well I am looking for smooth trails until my shoulder is healed. The last thing I need is to fall and try to catch my self.

I recently had hand surgery, and I was concerned about the same. I've done a Rim-to-Rim and Havasupai in the last few weeks, and catching myself with my bad hand wasn't an option, so I opted to use a hiking pole in my good hand. Perhaps you should do the same!

[nonot]

The northeast side of McDowell Mtn park has many long and fairly flat hikes/trails with several looping options.

[RowdyandMe]

@chumley
I still plan on hiking with Rowdy. So how's the shade on the green belt.

[chumley]

I still plan on hiking with Rowdy. So how's the shade on the green belt.

Looking at the satellite photo, I'd estimate at least 20% shadier than Rowdy's Ridgeline in July.

[RowdyandMe]

@chumley
My surgery is next Tuesday and I need to find a. 2 liter Fanny pack as well

[SpiderLegs]

I used to teach a Hiking 101 class that was half filled with people in their late 50's and 60's with varying degrees of physical limitations. Part of the class was a guided hike and I always used a loop consisting of Trail 100 and Trail 306 starting from the North Mountain Visitors Center. Think over the course of 3 miles we had a whopping 75 feet of AEG.