51 New Hikes: 2015

Thursday, December 31, 2015

Hike #51 - West Wing - Peoria AZ

Hike #51

Date: December 31
Hikers: Me and Megan

Location: Peoria, AZ
Distance: ~3.82 miles
Rating: Moderate
Time: 1 hour 47 minutes

TrailheadLink:https://www.peoriaaz.gov/uploadedFiles/Peoriaaz/Departments/Community_Services/River_Trails/NewRiverTrail2011Map_300.pdf

WOW! Finally New Hike #51! Just in the nick of time. Happy New Year's Eve!

I saved this one since I knew it was close by, looked like fun and could include a visit to my parents house.

Megan is along for this hike. I read about it when I did the other hikes on Saturday. I knew I could park in the park off the main road or go into the neighborhood. I decided to park in the neighborhood off High Desert St which was exactly where the trail head starts. Later we saw we could be closer by parking in a cul de sac. But this was OK!

I can honestly say I loved this hike. Great variety and a good workout. Not many on this trail. As I have said in other posts. It is crazy everyone flocks to Piestewa, Camelback and Pinnacle. There are so many hikes with great workouts that give you the opportunity to see other parts of the valley. GO EXPLORE MORE! (If you are reading this an a hiker)

Some of this trail has loose rock. AllTrails said it was Easy. I don't care who you are or how young you are. It is not easy for the reason of the loose rock in some places.

We started at this small park and walked through the neighborhood. Basically in peoples side yards. Some nice houses in the area. We finally hit the trail at a cul de sac.

This guy took off fast from us. Never saw him again.

Sunrise Mountain. I did that on Sunday.

We chose to do the hike counter clockwise. The signs said Less Difficult. Not knowing the area we thought that was the best move. Having had ankle issues this year I was not up for twisting my ankle. We saw several families. Once you are at the top it flattens out as you head East.

This is the far east side before heading up the North side. It was a nice hike up.

A lady and her two dogs. They were named after characters in How to Train your Dragon. Very cute!

Imagine Dragons - "I'm on top of the world" is the song we sang while hiking. What a great way to spend the last day of 2015!!

Heading back down still on North side. Can pick the route you want.

We saw a guy off trail bushwhacking. That has mountain rescue written all over it!

Someone stole my hat because she was getting sunburnt

Accomplished!
Hike #51

I really enjoyed this hike! It was fun. This is my last hike of the year and my goal of 51 new hikes. It was fun. Hard to find hikes I have not done or areas that I have done most trails. I don't want the pressure to find 52 new hikes in 2016 so maybe 52 new bars? Joking!

Won't stop hiking!

Happy New Year!!

Hike #50 - Apache Wash - Sonoran Preserve - Phoenix, AZ

Hike #50

Date: December 30
Hikers: Me, Megan & Stroodel

Location: Phoenix, AZ
Distance: ~2 miles
Rating: Moderate
Time: 37 minutes

Trailhead Link:https://www.phoenix.gov/parkssite/Documents/095100.pdf

Trying to bang two more new hikes out before January 1st. Not easy to find new hikes close by.

Megan and I ran for a quick hike before the sun went down. I have hiked Sonoran Preserve many times but not Apache Trail. We took Stroodel who pulled us the whole time like she was running a race.

It is very easy and flat area. The wash is pretty because there are trees and it is green. You can take this hike all the way to Carefree Highway. More of a biker trail but great if you are looking for long distance flat.

Nice hike.

Enjoy the pictures!

Lots of orbs in my pictures today. Maybe someone is following us!

Sunset in the Valley of the Sun!

Hike #50 Accomplished
One More to GO!

Sunday, December 27, 2015

Hike #49 - Sunrise Mountain Trail - Peoria, AZ

Hike #49

Date: December 27
Hikers: Me

Location: Peoria, AZ
Distance: 3.74 miles
Rating: Moderate
Time: 1 hour 11 minutes

Trailhead Link:https://www.peoriaaz.gov/uploadedFiles/NewPeoriaAZ/Residents/Parks,_Recreation_and_Classes/Hiking_Trails/TrailsMap.pdf

Second hike of the day. I headed across Lake Pleasant Parkway to West Wing Parkway. My plan is to hike Sunrise Mountain which I had heard of and seen the trail from Happy Valley.

The reviews say that it is a popular trail. I had trouble finding the trailhead, All Trails review gave a hint for the trailhead. I ended up parking in the school parking lot and the trailhead was right there.

If you go during the week you can not park their but today is Sunday.

Calderwood Butte that I just hiked?

Fun hike. Not much to say. Nice trail, Nice neighborhood. It was a good workout. There is definitely elevation change that gets your heart pumping. If I was in the area I would do this again. There were very few people on this trail. It was mid day on a Sunday and there is a Cardinals game but I saw a couple family and a few solo hikers. That's it!!

Enjoy the pictures!

View from the second mountain back to trailhead

View to the East towards Home

Funny looking trailhead signs.

Hike #49 Accomplished.
2 to go!

Hike #48 - Calderwood Butte Trail, Peoria, AZ

Hike #48

Date: December 27
Hikers: Me

Location: Peoria, AZ
Distance: ~1.64 miles
Rating: Easy/Moderate (if you move quick)
Time: 21 minutes

Trailhead Link:https://www.peoriaaz.gov/uploadedFiles/NewPeoriaAZ/Residents/Parks,_Recreation_and_Classes/Hiking_Trails/TrailsMap.pdf

Coming down to the wire. I need 4 hikes by the end of the year and today is the 27th! AHHH. Tearing a tendon in my leg messed up my hiking this summer but I am determined to do my 51 new. It was a Vision and I gotta do it.

Coordinating with a trip to my parents hike I looked up Peoria hiking and found the link above. Plan is to do two today. I have never heard of Calderwood Butte however on many occasions I pass these small mountains and try to quickly pull out AlTrails app and get the name. This Peoria AZ map was great.

Not a sole in the parking lot. New construction near by so this will be an option for the Neighborhood. I saw no one on the way up. The path was well groomed and the elevation did get my heart rate up. On the way down I passed a family and saw a couple that must of taken another trail. I did see a trail that headed North West but stuck with the up and back for me.
Go Cards!

If you are in the neighborhood do this quickie. Great short hike!

Enjoy the pictures!

Best Kept Secret!

View to North

Hike #48 Accomplished!!

Saturday, December 26, 2015

Hike #47 South Mountain - Mormon Trail, Phoenix AZ

Hike #47

Date: December 26th
Hikers: Me, Megan and Ricky

Location: Phoenix, AZ
Distance: 1.5 miles
Rating: Moderate
Time: 30 minutes

Trailhead Link:https://www.phoenix.gov/parks/trails/locations/south-mountain/trail-descriptions-and-map

Still need 5 more hikes to get 51 new in this year. There are only 6 more days left in the year. No Pressure. So hard to find new that are close by. This is the last year for NEW Challenge.

Had to drive to South Phoenix so we decided to hit South Mountain. We parked at 24th Street and Baseline. Lots of spots in the parking lot. There is parking on the street also.

MidDay Sun - Breezy in the Valley Today!

Looking for a quick new hike. Mormon Trail takes you to National and other trails. We decided to do a 2 miler today but was cut short because nature called. (won't say who!)