National Trail in South Mountain Park is great in Spring. There are many branches you can take to reach special points of interest: the radio towers, Fat Man's (can't) Pass, hieroglyphs, and spectacular views of the city. The trail runs along a low valley deep in the park that makes you forget that ...

White blossoms in spring;
Fruit ripens red in summer;
Wine for winter months.

Reach inside for strength;
When you have no strength within,
Reach outside for friends.

Discipline pays off.
The end of the trail appears.
I am triumphant!

We had a visitor to our class that made geology that much more exciting. She collected minerals that fluoresced. I took some photos that day and though they are poor the effects are amazing. I posted 5 in my gallery. Here is a connection to one so you can see for yourself. Gio http://hikearizona.com...

Four of us went to West Clear Creek today. As we were swimming and napping around 1pm the air changed and the breeze picked up. We watched the sky critically and decided to give up on our full moon hike and go home. The big storm came in just as we left and it seems to have followed us down to Tempe...

Educating the kids is a great idea. If the rangers could go to the local high schools with a slide program showing how the beauty of the wilderness can be maintained through a little concientious self regulation, there might be a beneficial impact. If the young people of the community were encourage...

The criteria for a perfect hike: 1) Company/partners - if I prefer to be alone then my own company is perfect but I prefer a good friend that I can count on for conversation or silence; acceptance or a good discussion over differences of opinion; and someone I trust to watch my back, call for help, ...

I carry a gun when I hike alone. I have been followed on a trail and had to hold it in my hand as I high-tailed it back to my truck and got out of there. The person who was tracking me stayed in the brush. I am glad I had something on me and I was very willing to use it if the need arose. I was reli...

I am not offended and think it should be legal. As for children, they don't mind if their grown ups don't mind.

oooo - tantric --- ohm

I think The Monastery is a good idea because of its proximity to Papago Park (that is where we are having the class, isn't it?); we don't have to store food until the end of class; no one has to host the event at their home and then deal with the mess; and everyone can come and go as they please. Th...