This was my third time doing this hike. I thought it would get easier but I probably didnt eat/drink properly before the hike because it kicked my butt. It is probably the hardest hike in the Phoenix area. 1323 gain in just 1.2 miles. 100% exposure. Thankfully it was a cool cloudy day. Plus no clear designated path to the top. But I was glad I did it again.
Starting the hike at about 6:00 PM was the perfect time to hike as it would up giving me anout 2/3rd of the hike in shade which was very important on these 110 plus days. Plus at 7:30 the sun was setting. Trail, as always, is in great shape. Only ran across two other hikers on the entire shape. No critters. Happy to the hike in just over an hour and a half. Hard to believe this beautiful area is located in Phoenix.
Another lovely evening for a hike. Did it clockwise so I would have the shade for the entire 59th Ave part. Surprisingly the heat really wasn't an issue as a nice breeze showed up from time to time. Parked at the southern parking lot off 59th Ave and for some reason I was the only one there. Saw only one other person.
Couldn't find a place to park as the parking lots closed at 3:00 for July 3rd? Started to head home and then remembered that there are a couple of parking spots on 59th ave right at the turn on to Paradise Peak Rd. Thankfully there was only car parker there. Took the hike counter clockwise so I could have shade for the final part of the hike on 59th Ave. Saw only one person on the trail the entire time. No critters except for a few lizards. Even though it was over 110 it really wasn't too bad.
First time hiking this trail. Left at 3:00 and only saw one other human. Tons of grasshoppers near the end of a trail and one coyote about 1/4 mile away from the parking lot as I was returning. Very peaceful hike with incredible views
This was the third time I hiked this trail. Did it counter clockwise. About 20 minutes of the hike I found a few "friends" to hike with me...GNATS. Couldn't get rid of them for the entire hike. Thankfuly they don't bite but they are as annoying as hell. Interesting fact about this trail, the AEG is 1209 ft. The hike to the summit is 1217 ft AEG. Pretty much the same? I started around 3:30 and didn't see another soul until well over half way done with the hike coming clockwise.
I have been hiking all summer long, usually a couple of hours before sunset. Today for some reason this was the busiest trail by far. The temps were down but the humidity was up and people didn't seem to mind. You are always rewarded with incredible views. Going up on the paved trail is also tough with the 16% grade but going down was slow going with the amount of people going up and the trail is was skinny as places.
Started at 5 in the afternoon. Ony one other vehicle in the parking lot. I wonder why? Went clockwise so I would get some shade on the final third of the hike and that part work out perfectly. Not a sign of trash on the trail the entire hike. It was hot but not too bad. One of my favorite hikes. No critters to speak of this time.
Absoulutely the cleanest trail I ever been on. Many dogs on the trail but signs that they were there. No garbage to be found. Beautiful area. Glad I did it on such a great day.
I did this hike once before in 2014 and said I would never do it again. The great weather changed my mind. I am still needing to get my cardio better as it took two hours total but I survived. Surprised that it took the same time going down at it did going up but after a spill on my last hike I guess I really took my time going down. Went at 3:00 PM. Absolutely beautiful weather.
This has been on my bucket lit for years, I did the Cholla Trail three years ago and I thought that was tough. This was the toughest hike I have ever done. Glad I did it now at 57 cause I can't see it get an easier as I get older. I can now understand all the rescues that this mountain causes. My legs were like jello 1/2 way down. I am thankful for the signs with arrows pointing to the top. Every five minutes I has to stop to try to figure the best way to get up and down. Incredibly steep.
Not one of my smartest hikes. Left at 10:47 and returned at 1:44 - Just under three hours for 4.6 miles is certainly not a great pace but because I was geocaching it took longer. I believe I am the only one to hike to these geocaches vs an ATV or motorcycle. It was hot with very little shade. Follow a lot of game trails as their were no direct routes to these caches. Only saw to kids on motorcycles the entire trip. Glas I didn't have to go further then I did.
Hot evening for a hike. Surprised by the amount people hiking in the heat. Proud to have made it to the peak with no rest stops. Made it a loop and my legs were getting a little shaky going down. Had to rest once to rehydrate. Even at 7:30 lots of people starting to hike.
Started at 6PM. I was worried about rain as I could see it from a distance but thankfully it never did. However it was a very comfortable hike thanks to clouds and a little breeze. Starting to get my legs back. Only one short 30 second break. Trail has lots of loose rocks. Not too crowded for a change.
Holy cow it was hot. 110 with not a hint of wind. Did the loop with the hope of finding a geocache that I tried to find 8.5 years ago and I was successful. Glad I took plenty of water but doing this loop arounf 3 o'clock was not very smart.
Maybe leaving at 4:30 wasn't my best idea. Trail did have a few people. it was only 101 but when on the bottom wih no one wind it was really hot. Found two of the three geocaches I was looking for. I was rewardewd with some serious views.
This was the first hike for me that required a climb of 900 feet in over a year. Why I did it 4:30 PM with temps over 100 degrees in beyond me. I was looking for a geocache that was placed over 18 years ago. I probably should have waited a month or two but I was feeling guilty with all the junk food I ate over the weekend. Killed by longs going up and killed my toes going down. Regardless I did and feel good about it.
I am not sure if the trail I took has an official name. Part Circumference/ Part Inner Figure eight. Regardless a great hike that started at 4:00 PM. Trail itself is pretty rocky - glad I wore hiking boots. Wild flowers are out, yellow, orange and purple. Between the flowers and weeds, parts of the trail has overgrowth from the sides making the possibility of getting scratch. Saw plenty of lizards and one chipmunk? but thankfully no snakes. These trails are usually less busier then Thunderbird.
WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.
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