51 New Hikes

Hike #38 - Watson Lake - Prescott, AZ

Hike #38

Date: November 15
Hikers: Me and Julio

Location: Prescott AZ
Distance: 7 Miles
Rating: Moderate (Easy in some spots but not all)
Time: 2.5 hours

Trailhead Link:http://www.cityofprescott.net/services/parks/parks/index.php?id=24

Julio has the day off so we are heading to Prescott. It is a little chilly and cloudy. I don't see a chance of rain but will learn that you can be wrong!!

Beautiful pictures of this area have been taken. Inspired by Sandradee.com photos and CTNorthPhoenix.com calendar. (call them for computer support) we decided to go explore and find the trail.

2 dollars to park. Bring credit card too because the machine would not take my dollar bills. Visit the restroom at the entrance. Heated Bathroom. GREAT.

We were rained on. Got lost and did an extra mile but all worth it. You can hike around the lake as we did or stay on one side and do different trails. There are many depending on what you want to see. Check the link above.

Enjoy the pictures:

Balanced Rock

The terrain changed many times on this hike. This is where we overshot our trailhead. We should have turned East before this and added a mile to our hike. It was worth it to see the color of the trees changing and to walk on this path. When it was raining and we were on the other side of the Lake we were not happy but looking at the pictures now it is worth it.

The Storm is coming and guess where we are?

Very different from the West side of Watson Lake

We headed off the trail because it was pouring. I think sleeting. We followed this road West towards the other side of the Lake.

Hike #38 Accomplished.

My phone was dying and did not want to lose the map so I saved and and luckily it kept going to we were almost to the car

Hike #37 - Go John Trail - Cave Creek Maricopa Park, AZ

Hike #37

Date: November 14
Hikers: Me and Jim C

Location: Carefree Highway, AZ
Distance: 5.8 Miles
Rating: Moderate
Time: 2 hours 15 minutes

Trailhead Link:http://www.maricopa.gov/parks/cave_creek/
100 Miles in 100 Day Challenge:
https://www.maricopa.gov/parks/100miles.aspx

We have done the Go John trail last year but this year we decided to do the Maricopa 100 miles in 100 day challenge. Today we did the GoJohn trail counter clockwise. Let the games begin. 100 miles left to go!

This trail is beautiful. You get a couple different elevations. You can see the Elephant on the Mountain at Spurs Crossing. We will be hiking over there next week. You can pick up the Maricopa Trail here as well which connects the Maricopa parks to each other.

Enjoy the pictures:

Trail head start. Counter Clockwise West to East today

Sunrise. See the Orb. Wonder who is following us?

Balloons everywhere. Tourist Season

Love his shirt. So Jim

See the Elephant Head and his nose sticking up.

Maricopa Trail starts after the gate. If we did GoJohn from the West (clockwise) and came down the hill less than 2 miles we hit the gate. 4.2 between here and Spur Crossing Gate. Then Spur Crossing to parking lot. Great 10 miler I plan to do soon. Just need to park one car down there or call Julio our Huber driver. HA!

Up the last hill and head down to the parking lot. View to the South of the Valley!

Hike #37 Accomplished.

Save your Maricopa Park Receipt and go to visitor center to get your trail sheet initialed.

5.8 down 94.2 to go!

Hike #36 - Beverly Canyon- South Mountain, AZ

Hike #36

Date: November 2
Hikers: Me and Julio

Location: Phoenix, AZ
Distance: ~4 miles
Rating: Easy (hills make your heart race)
Time: 70 minutes

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

Back out at South Mountain. Trailhead in work parking lot east of Beverly Canyon. This time staying mostly on Beverly Canyon heading more West and South up the hill. Then back again.

Again, lots of options just keep track of where you are going and time. Trails not really marked well. Nice afterwork hike.

Enjoy the pictures:

Entrance at work parking lot

Stayed on Beverly Canyon route most of the way. View from the top looking out to the North

We headed up the hill but did not continue since we were pressed for time and not sure if we could get back to our parking lot from the top of this hill. Next time!

Hike #36 Accomplished!

Hike #35 - Fraesfield Trailhead - Scottsdale AZ

Hike #35

Date: October 31
Hikers: Me and Jim

Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Distance: 4.3 miles
Rating: Easy
Time: 60 minutes

Trailhead Link:http://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/preserve/trail-maps

Did a couple trails here back last year when doing my 50 hikes. This is one of the newest in Scottsdale off Dynamite Road. Easy to get to. Not many people are out here. Few bikes but mostly hikers. Lots of opportunities.

We were pressed for time so went so far and turned around. Not the most exciting hike but very nice and lots of options.

Enjoy the pictures. Happy Halloween!

Hike #35 Accomplished

Hike #34 - South Mountain - East Boundary Trail/Beverly Canyon, Phoenix AZ

Hike #34

Date: October 28
Hikers: Me and Ricky

Location: Phoenix, AZ
Distance: ~3 miles
Rating: Moderate
Time: 55 minutes

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

The trailhead is in our work parking lot so decided to take it for a spin. Ricky met me on a cloudy day and we decided to go as far as possible before it got dark.

South Mountain has alot of options. Just watch your Map or direction and you can go many different ways. This is a trail that is to the East of Beverly Canyon trailhead.

Not much to say but enjoy the pictures: