Life is Full of Small Wanders, But You Won't Find Them Sitting on the Couch

Jenn and I went for our 11th hike in 11 days this morning. We didn't set out to start a streak we just wanted to get some extra exercise now that it's starting to get to the ridiculously hot part of the year in Phoenix. Over the last 11 days, these hikes have mostly been a South Mountain near our homes. On South we've stuck to Telegraph Pass, Kiwanis Trail, Marcos De Niza Trail, Ridgeline Trail, and Javelina Canyon, The beauty of these trails is that each is less than a 15 minute drive in the morning. On the days we have been working, we wake up at 4 or 5 am so that we can each make coffee and meet up to hit the trails. Starting the morning with a cup of coffee, hiking, and conversation with Jenn has been amazing. As long as I'm not too exhausted from the early start, I usually feel really good walking into a day of work. For someone who has never been a morning person, it's a whole new world feeling good to start the day.

On Fridays and weekends we've tried to go a little bit further. Piestewa Peak Summit Trail has been one of our favorites. It is just tough enough to remind us that we still have a long way to go to get ready for an attempt at the Grand Canyon rim-to-rim hike. Today, we decided to take on the Cholla Trail on Camelback Mountain. Cholla isn't as popular as the Echo Canyon Trail. Echo Canyon is regarded by most as the toughest hike within Phoenix city limits. However, after today I have to say the "easy" trail on Camelback isn't all that easy. A 2+ mile, 1100 foot climb was quite a way to wake up when I thought I was in for an "easy" hike.

Even though all of these hikes have been great the most memorable came at Estrella Mountain Park. We headed there last Sunday afternoon with temps already in the triple digits. It was basically just an attempt to get out and do ANYTHING that day because we were feeling a little wanderlust. I've been looking out at the Estrella Mountains for years, thinking the must be beautiful and wanting to drive straight to them from Ahwatukee. I made an attempt once without checking the map to see if it was possible. All I found was a lot of private land and a few roadside pinon stands. It was worth the trip to get the pinons. After visiting Estrella I have to say that it definitely DID disappoint. I realize that it is the summer months, but compared to all the other regional parks I've been to in Maricopa County. It was ugly. I hope it's a lot better in the cooler months.

Anyway, we made the most of it and decided to take on one of the trails in 102 degree weather. We jumped on Cold Water Trail (probably a bit of a subconscious choice there). The beauty of this was that we were literally the only ones in the park. If we wanted to hike naked while firing AK-47s and drinking Jack Daniels straight from the bottle, I doubt anyone would have come along. I didn't go quite that far, but I did work on my chest and stomach tan a little, which I don't think I'd ever do on any other trail. I'm thinking a future undie hike may be in order, but I'd be super nervous to come across a rattlesnake with all that exposed skin.

Estrella did not turn out to be the highlight we had hoped for, but we did discover a small wander thanks to a wrong turn on our way home. It started by coming across Phoenix International Raceway. I had never been there, but have wanted to go just to see what the circus around NASCAR is actually like. It was cool to see how this thing in the middle of desert was almost completely deserted, knowing that it turns into a large city of its own on racedays.

That still wasn't the best part though. The best part came in the form of a tucked away portion of the Gila River (a river I thought was completely dry) near the track. It sprung up out of nowhere when we were driving across a bridge leaving the track area. You don't expect to find swimming and fishing holes in the middle of this city, so when you find one it's a really nice surprise!

It just goes to show, when you get out and see the world you never know what you're going to find!