Phoenix Area Hiking

The complete guide to Phoenix area hiking is just a click away.

Now that the temps are coming down and the snakes are going wherever it is they go, it’s just about time to get back out there and hit the trail!

Maricopa County has a plethora of hiking trails through some of the most picturesque scenery you're bound to see.  The desert takes on its own life and the only way to really see it – and appreciate the unique beauty of our desert – is to get out there.  Whether you’ve got just a hour or so, or looking for an all day excursion, you’re in for a treat.

Growing up in Colorado, as a kid, we’d plan a day in a park.  Mom would put together a picnic lunch and we’d pack up the station wagon, get the leash out for Sam, our Newfoundland, jump in the car and head for the hills.  We’d spend the day as a family hiking the (easy) trails around Denver and Boulder.  The memories I’ll treasure from those excursions are priceless and will last a lifetime.

Now as a Phoenician, we’re fortunate to be blessed with terrific weather – ideal for hiking most anytime, as long as you’re prepared and know where to go.  At first, the number of hiking trails were mind boggling.  Trying to pick the right trail seemed daunting.  Until, I discovered a great resource.

One of the best sources for information on hiking trails in Maricopa County is online.  Check out the hiking section of  trails.com.  For me, it’s become mandatory reading and a hiking prerequisite.

Once you browser lands at trails.com, you’ll get a map. Click on it to zoom in and then you can navigate across the valley to find the perfect trail.  When you pick a trail, you can then drill down for some great information – trail length, degree of difficulty, elevation at start, elevation changes, reviews from past hikers, even a topo map. I think you’ll find it to be one of the most comprehensive tools on the subject available to us.

The complete link is http://www.trails.com/activity.aspx?area=11535

Don’t forget the camera, wear appropriate footwear, bring along sunscreen, a light jacket, a hat, plenty of water and some food bars – and hit the trail!

©2010 Tom Weiskopf, PLLC.  Tom Weiskopf, PLLC is an AZ licensed real estate agent with John Hall & Associates serving the Phoenix area. For more information, Tom can be reached at (602) 953-4000 or via e-mail at phxareahomes@gmail.com.