Today’s physical activity was a hike. There are many peaks to choose from around the Phoenix general area. Mike researched local hikes and we decided on the “moderate” rated Piestewa Peak, locally known as “Squaw” peak. It described it as short (1.6 km) climb but very taxing. It also included a warning, “Hikers, walkers, sightseers and runners alike flock to this prominent peak like moths to a flame, drawn here in part because of it proximity to the city of Phoenix.” In other words, be warned it is a busy trail. Regardless and undaunted, we left the condo and drove the short distance to the trailhead.
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Picking Our Route |
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And Away We Go |
The guidebook was not exaggerating. It was Sunday morning and we had difficulty finding a parking spot. It was one busy trail.
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Lots of People on the Trail |
The hike became difficult at times and we were clutching at rock outcroppings just to take a step. One of the other hikers described it best when she described it as one continuous stair climber but without the uniform stair heights.
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We Posed for Pics But More so for Resting |
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| Still Working On This Selfie Thing |
It took us 1 hour and 50 minutes to reach the peak. The views were amazing and the effort generated high fives all around.
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We Felt Pretty Good About Our Accomplishment |
After a half hour of gazing at the 360-degree views we ventured down. Coming down was a challenge. Lots of people, narrow trail, slippery gravel on slate rocks, and uneven terrain. We took our time and made the downhill in 1 hour. I’ll confess my legs were good on the way up but jelly-like on the way down. More high-fives when we got safely down but the previously planned 5 km hike around the circumference was put on hold.
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Much Easier Going Down |
It was home for lunch and a rest. More shopping at Albertsons’s next-door and then off to the driving range to get ready for tomorrow’s golf at 10 am.
We finished the day with a hot tub and evening cocktails.
