Hike Profile: squaw peak circumference trail

Squaw peak is a very popular mountain in Phoenix.  The summit trail is the main trail that people go to the park to do.....but there is a trail that is longer, has just as much elevation gain, has beautiful scenery, and sees about 10 percent of the traffic that the summit trail sees:  the circumference trail.  The trailhead is the same as the summit trail, but you can access the trail from almost any of the parking areas in the Squaw peak park.  The trail is a 3.5 mile (approx) loop that circles the entire mountain, and it gains about 1000 total feet, but it's broken up into 2 main climbs.  I love this hike.  The trails sees wayyyyyyy less traffic than it's popular neighbor, so in this crowded park in this crowded city, you still get a feeling of solitude.  If you ever go to hike the summit trail, and the crowds prove to be too much, give the circumference a try.....you won't regret it.

The Endurathon: minor updates

There's not a whole lot to report right now on my project.  The first event (McKinley) is still months away, starting on June 8th, 2010.  My buddy Mark is competing in his first "half-ironman" triathalon this month, and he's the one I'll be doing mine with next year.....this same event in fact.  So, he's doing it this year, so I can get the run-down for next year.  It's still way too far in advance to apply for my Grand Canyon permit.  I'm planning on doing a "warm-up" hike in The Canyon in May, and it's still too early to even apply for that permit.  The half marathon is coming up in January, but that's no big deal.  After the event passes, however, the registration will open up for the next year, so I'll be able to register for my 2011 full marathon (the final Endurathon event).  I am still outside training about 6 days a week.  I've had to give up working out on fridays, because of my part-time job.  For the most part, my training consists of a lot of hiking and biking, a little running, and some pull-ups.  I am working about 18 hours a weekend at my part-time job, and the pay is not very good, but it's great experience.  I have a few other money making opportunities on the horizon, but I'm waiting to see if they work out.  All this extra cash is going DIRECTLY to help pay for my upcoming adventures.  Once I get the money I need, I'm done with all this extra work!  That's really about it.  The rest of 2009 will probably be pretty chill.....I'm really just in a holding pattern for the moment.  Things should start to get exciting as we move into 2010 though, so please keep checking back and supporting The Endurathon -- I'll need all the help I can get!

Ride Profile: reach 11 recreation area

The Reach 11 Recreation Area is a huge plot of land that stretches from Cave Creek Road, north of the 101, all the way to Scottsdale Road.  This park is odd, because the western portion of it is a well developed sports complex with a bunch of soccer fields, restrooms, parking lots, etc, but then, as it stretches eastward, it leaves any signs of development behind, and it just kinda wanders through the desert, crossing an occasional road, or going under a highway underpass here or there.  I have seen more rattlesnakes on this trail (by far) than anywhere else in my travels, and other people have mentioned the same thing.  I prefer to ride my bike here, and sometimes I'll do some training runs in the park, but it's wayyyyyy too tame for a hiking trail (boring).  A lot of people seem to like to ride their horses here as well.  There are a variety of wide, well groomed trails to choose from, and you can do any distance you like, from a mile or two, up to 16+ miles.  My ride of choice is about 12 miles long, and pretty flat.  I actually just ride my bike to the trail from my house for a little extra distance.  I go from the trailhead on Cave Creek Road, all the way to the underpass at 56th street, and then turn around.  There are so many options for variations.  Another one I like is closer to 15 miles, and it branches off the trail at the Highway 51 underpass, then heads south on a paved path all the way to a little park just south of Thunderbird Road, and east of the 51.  The moral of the story here is:  it's a huge recreation area, with tons to do; from sports, to horses, biking, running, wildlife watching, etc, and it's easy to get to.....grab your bike, and hit the trail.

Hike Profile: H3 trail, thunderbird park (lacie's fav)

This trail is located a little further west in the valley than I usually hike, but it's worth the trip.  It's located in Thunderbird Park, off 59th Avenue, north of the 101.  The park contains a variety of well marked trails that could appeal to all levels of hikers, all of which are labeled by the letter "H" and then followed by a number for the corresponding trail (ie: H1, H2, H3, etc.).  This particular trail (H3) is a really nice hike, but it would also make a great trail run, or even a challenging mountain bike ride.  From the closest parking area in the park, the trail is a nice 3.5 mile loop, which only gains a few hundred feet of elevation.  The views are nice, and it provides a different setting than most of the east valley hikes I frequent.  I like the trail a lot, and my wife Lacie says it's one of her very favorites, so there you go.  Check it out.

Hike Profile: echo canyon (camelback mountain)

This is the one.  Of all the hikes in the Valley of the Sun, this is my favorite.  No matter how many times you hike it, it's always challenging.  It gains over 1,200 feet, and it's under 2.5 miles roundtrip.  It's steep, it's beautiful, and it can be punishing for all abilities, if you want it to be.  There are even rock climibing possibilities in the area from bouldering, to sport routes, to trad routes, to rappelling; it's got it all!  The trailhead is located just east of the intersection of Tatum and McDonald, on the Northwest corner of the mountain.  The one and only downfall of this trail is the CROWDS!  They are awful.  I hike this trail all summer long, in 110 degree heat, and I have it all to myself.....and then it cools off, and then the crowds flock to the mountain.  On some days you may find yourself waiting upwards of 30 minutes for a parking space, just to hike this wonderful trail with underexperienced idiots.  Search and rescue crews visit the mountain weekly during the busy season, always plucking off the latest victim.  I can't help but glare at all the hikers crowding up MY mountain.  I guess the upside is:  summer always returns, and the trail will be empty again.  Aside from that little chip on my shoulder, this hike truly is the best of the best in The Valley.

Hike Profile: pinnacle peak

Way up in North Scottsdale there is a very recognizable mountain called Pinnacle Peak.  On that mountain, you'll find a small visitors center, some rock climbing routes, and a 3.5 mile roundtrip hike, that gains a couple hundred feet.  The trail climbs and drops and climbs and drops very pleasantly for the entire length.  The scenery is very nice, the trail is well maintained, and it's a very managable hike for most people.  The trailhead is up in the "Troon" area, nestled back near the Four Season's Resort and the Pinnacle Peak Patio....there are signs that point the way.  It's a really nice hike.  In my opinion, the only real downfalls are:  it gets realllllllly crowded -- like camelback and squaw peak crowded, and because it's in North Scottsdale, when I'M on the mountain I feel like there's a small snootyness in the air -- from the hikers to the staff at the park (sorry), and it's a minor turnoff.  Those two factors aside, on a non-crowded day, it's a great hike to add to your repertoir.  Check it out, but be on your best behavior :o).