Breaking News!
June 2, 2011 by taha
Take A Hike Arizona will remain open for business!! We are very happy to report that the company will continue to offer fantastic hikes for families, individuals, groups and corporate team building. Stay tuned for more details to follow in the coming weeks. Feel free to send any email inquiries to info@takeahikearizona.com or just call at 480-634-8488 and we will be happy to speak with you about availability for future hiking excursions.
Happy hiking!
Fun Facts from Eastern Mountain Sports
May 10, 2011 by taha
Once in a while, we come across some interesting facts about the outdoors. Check out this article posted by Eastern Mountain Sports about the dangers of the outdoors as compared to everyday hazards!
http://www.emsexploration.com/wordpress/what-do-we-really-have-to-fear/
Wildflower update
March 30, 2011 by taha
Okay, it appears we are off to a bit of a slow start to our wildflower season this year. Could be those freezing cold days we had during the “winter”. But, the cacti and plants are starting to bloom! Almost all the hedgehogs we see now are blooming. The creosote and brittlebush are now well on their way. I’ve also seen some chicory, scorpionweed, poppies, and fiddlenecks. Still waiting for the Palo Verdes and Ironwood trees to blossom. I also noticed that the buckhorn chollas are chock full of buds, so when they bloom in the next week or so, they are going to be amazing! The prickly-pear cacti appear to be a few weeks off still from blooming, so be a little patient there. And as usual, the Saguaro will be one of the last to bloom, probably in late May or June this year.
Out in the Superstitions, we haven’t seen too much blooming action. 
Some thistle are blooming and the hedgehogs are blooming there as well. Still not many brittlebush with color yet and the Sumac still has a ways to go before we see any color there. But, we will be heading out there again soon, so we’ll see if anything has changed.
That’s the update for now. Stay tuned as we head further into Spring!
A Great Quinoa Recipe!
December 7, 2010 by taha
Before heading out on a hike, we like to make sure we are well fueled for the trip. One of the things we like to eat beforehand and have with us on our hikes is a good source of protein. Well, over the Thanksgiving holiday, my sister-in-law brought over a great dish to accompany our meal. The recipe includes quinoa (pronounce Keen-wa) which is becoming more well-known and much easier to find at your local grocery store. For those of you who are not as familiar with this food (like me), quinoa is actually a grain-like crop used mainly for its edible seeds. The leaves on the plant are edible as well but availability of the leaves is quite limited. The quinoa is not a true grain as it is not part of the grass family. It is more closely related to beets, spinach and tumbleweeds (of all things).
Quinoa is a great source of protein with a protein content ranging between 12-18%. It provides a balanced set of essential amino acids and is a good source of dietary fiber, phosphorus, magnesium and iron. It is also gluten-free! So there’s a little background for you on quinoa. The recipe below can be served warm or at room temperature. Some may prefer it chilled, but I found room temperature to be very good. So try out this recipe (a little bit lengthy but well worth the effort) and let us know what you think!
Couscous/Quinoa Salad with Cucumber, Peppers and Tomatoes
- 1 cup (8 fl oz) water
- 1 cup (6 oz) couscous/quinoa mix – use Trader Joe’s Harvest Blend for the couscous and prepare it as directed on thepackage. Because the Harvest Blend contains couscous, quinoa, tri-colored orzo and garbanzo beans, this adds color and protein to the recipe.
- ½ tsp sale, plus salt to taste
- 1-2 green bell peppers
- ½ lb cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cucumber, peeled, halved lengthwise, seeded and cut into ½-inch dice
- 1 small fresh red or green jalapeño or serrano chili pepper, seeded and minced
- 1/3 cup (½ oz) chopped fresh cilantro
- 3-4 Tablespoons virgin olive oil
- 4-5 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1½ tsp ground cumin
- ½ tsp paprika
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- freshly ground pepper
Preheat a broiler.
Prepare couscous as directed on package. After stirring, cover and let stand for 10 minutes. Uncover and transfer the couscous to a large, shallow baking dish, fluffing with a fork and spreading it evenly. Let cool completely.
Cut the bell peppers in half lengthwise and remove the stems, seeds and ribs. Place cut sides down on a baking sheet. Broil until the skins blacken and blister. Remove the baking sheet from the broiler, drape the peppers loosely with aluminum foil and let cool for 10 minutes. Using your fingers or a small knife, remove the pepper skins. Cut the peppers into ½-inch squares.
Transfer the couscous to a large bowl. Scatter the bell peppers, tomatoes, cucumber, chili pepper and cilantro over the top.
In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, cumin, paprika and garlic. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Add to the couscous and toss together well. Before serving, taste and adjust the seasoning, if necessary.
I personally do not like green peppers in this salad so I leave those out (and it saves the extra broiler work involved). Feel free to be creative and add whatever veggies you prefer to have! As always, we would love to hear from you …. tell us about your favorite healthy recipes! We would love to share them with our followers. You can comment below on this posting or just send us an email at info@takeahikearizona.com. Enjoy the quinoa salad!
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Kids’ Night Hiking Camp!
September 10, 2010 by taha
- Starting out on our night hike!
Take a night off and tell your kids to
TAKE A HIKE!
(with Take A Hike Arizona)
The kids will love this night hiking camp made just for them! We will take the kids out on a night hike and look for the stars and the small desert critters that come out at night and we will get them actively involved in lots of fun activities and games including our version of the popular “Minute to Win It” gameshow!
ONLY $25 ($20 for each additional sibling) the Camp Adventure includes: Guided hike, pizza, water, dessert, refreshments, use of backpack, an arts & crafts project, and lots of FUN!!!
Ages: 5 and up
Date: Friday, September 24, 2010
Time: 5:30 – 8:30 pm
Location: The McDowell Center, 16116 N. McDowell Mountain Ranch Rd, Scottsdale (southwest corner of McDowell Mountain Ranch Rd and Paradise Lane)
Space is limited! To reserve a spot for your child, just give us a call at 480-634-8488. We look forward to speaking with you!
Desert Moonsoon Thunderstorms!
August 19, 2010 by taha
Rainbow during a monsoon storm
One of my favorite things about the summer here in the desert is our monsoon thunderstorms! Yes, believe it or not, we have moonsoon storms here. Many people associate “monsoon” with the storms that blow through India and wreak havoc with flooding and high winds. The word monsoon is actually derived from the Arabic word “mausim” which means season or wind-shift. The monsoon thunderstorms created here in the Sonoran Desert are a result of that shifting of wind that takes place as we move into the summer season.
During our winter, the wind flows primarily from the west or northwest from California and Nevada. As summer approaches, the winds shift to a southerly or southeasterly direction and moisture is brought up from the Pacific and Gulf of Mexico and dropped right in our lap! This seasonal shift generally occurs (on average) around the beginning of July (average date is July 7th to be exact) and generally ends mid-September (September 13th on average). In the past, the start of the season was defined as 3 consecutive days of dew points averaging 55 degrees or higher. It was always fun taking bets on when that was going to happen! In 2008, however, the National Weather Service actually established a set season starting June 15th and ending September 30th (similar to how a hurricane season is defined-although I believe the hurricane season goes through October 15th).
The thing I find unique and quite spectacular about the monsoon storms we get are the dust storms that precede the actual rain. The thunderstorms are not always accompanied by a dust storm but when they are, it is quite an impressive sight. The way the dust storm is created is that the typical monsoon thunderstorm has a front that pushes air downward quite forcefully. This air then hits the ground and is forced out and upward before the storm cell. This creates a gusty front which in turn kicks up large quantities of dust and sand that then creates a wall of dust. This wall of dust is actually called a haboob. Yes, we do chuckle everytime we hear that word. It’s just one of those funny words I guess. Well these haboobs, or walls of dust, can exceed over 3,000 feet in height! Can you say “airport delays”?
Anyway (airport delays or not), once the excitement of the initial winds and haboob pass, the rain starts. These storms are often accompanied by heavy rains. We sometimes receive over 2.5 inches of rain in one storm! That is over 1/3 of our annual rainfall average. Wow! Now the flip side of this coin is the fact that rains that fall that fast cannot be absorbed by the desert quickly. So we do run the risk of flash floods and since most of our roads weave in and out of washes, drivers do have to use caution when out and about during and shortly after one of these storms. The washes are the area of the desert floor that siphon off the excess water and no, we cannot avoid having our roads run through them. Most of the year it is not a problem. During the monsoon storms you cannot drive through these washes if you see water running through them. Even if the water appears shallow, you cannot tell if a wall of water is, in fact, making its way down to your location that very minute. If the road has caution signs up or is blocked, don’t try to save time by going around the signs even if it appears there is no water in the wash at the moment. They are there for your safety.
Here in Arizona, we actually have a Stupid Motorist Law in place here for those individuals who put themselves at risk by entering these flash flood areas and subsequently getting stuck in the wash. This law means the motorist that requires rescue can then be charged for the cost of that rescue service due to placing him or herself in harm’s way (not to mention risking the safety of the rescue team!). The other safety measure worth knowing when it comes to driving in a dust storm, is if visibility becomes too poor to see and you must pull off the road, be sure to shut off all of your car’s lights and do not rest your foot on the brake. Motorists behind you will see your tailights and may think you are in a travel lane and proceed to follow you and hit your parked vehicle. They typically cannot see any better than you!
If you happen to be out hiking when one of these storms approach, be sure to separate yourself from your trekking poles (you know those metal lightning rods you hold in your hands?) and be sure that your group does not huddle together. Try to keep at least 50 feet apart from each other and if no shelter can be found, assume the lightning position (sitting on a backpack or some other object to separate you from direct contact with the ground). Do not sit under or near a tree, wire fencing, in an open field, by poles or bodies of water. Also, do not enter any nearby washes as these may become quickly flooded. The best safety precaution you can take is to check the weather forecast before going out on a hike at all! With a little bit of planning ahead and knowing what safety measures to take, you too can enjoy the amazing show that our monsoon thunderstorms provide us each season!
I remember years ago when we first moved here to the valley (from New England) how funny it was to hear everyone get sooooo excited about the rain. It could be a slight drizzle and the evening headline on the news was STORM HITS THE VALLEY! Really? Well after all these years of living here, wouldn’t you know, I now get excited to hear that we have a “storm” coming. The storms don’t always pan out, but when they do, it is a spectacular sight to see! And we are often given the opportunity to witness beautiful rainbows during our summers here in the desert such as the one shown in the photo with this posting. We saw this rainbow just yesterday during our most recent “weather event” as the news stations like to say. So if you are new to the Arizona desert, put aside the fact that it is sweltering here during the summer and know that with that summer heat comes some of the most beautiful and amazing feats of nature that you may not have the opportunity to see in any other part of the world!
If you would like to learn more about this beautiful desert we call home, just call us at Take A Hike Arizona (480-634-8488) and we will be more than happy to take you out on a hike to experience, explore and enjoy this great area we live in!
Hiking with Gila Monsters!
August 5, 2010 by taha
I am not a Gila Monster!
Now I'm a Gila Monster!
A day on the Apache Trail
April 25, 2010 by taha
View looking toward Superstition Mountains
I love when family and friends come to visit us here in beautiful Arizona! It gives me the perfect excuse to do some more local sight seeing in my own backyard that I otherwise probably wouldn’t take the time to do. Sound familiar? Our latest “adventure” was taking a day to travel along the Apache Trail, one of my favorite scenic drives. To begin this drive just head out on 60 East and take the Idaho Rd exit and follow the signs to Canyon Lake.
After a short drive down the Apache Trail, we started our day at Goldfield Ghost Town, the old mining town located right by the Lost Dutchman State Park. We had a great time exploring the old town and taking lots of photos of the area. Years ago, this little “ghost town” didn’t have much to offer, but it has since been rediscovered and tourists have been pouring in ever since. As a result, it has gotten a little bit kitschy but it is still worth seeing especially with the kids! I think we investigated every nook and cranny the town had. We also spent a bit of money of some of the tours they offer there such as the mine tour.
The mine tour was a pleasant surprise. We learned quite a bit about how the miners spent their days and toiled under ground with only candle light to help them see. Did you know that the miners were only given about 6 small candles on each shift to help them see what they were doing? They would conserve their light by putting the candles out and eating their meals in the dark of the tunnels. If I’m not mistaken, there are some restaurants that currently charge a pretty price for guests to eat in the dark now! I guess the miners were on to something.
After our adventures at Goldfield, including a mock gunfight battle performed by volunteers, we hit the road again. We drove towards Canyon Lake. It is a gorgeous drive through interesting landscape with rock formations, plants, and animals not commonly seen in other parts of the valley. We stopped at the Marina where Steamboat Dolly is docked. We parked there and walked across the street to the Boulder Canyon Trail entrance. We hiked up the trail to get some unbelievable views of the area. We could see far into the Superstitions Wilderness and a good bit of Canyon Lake. We saw some folks rafting up into one of the canyons that the larger boats cannot get into (add that to my list of things to do this summer!) and we saw plenty of collared lizards and a snake!
After working up an appetite hiking, we got back in the car and continued down the Apache Trail. Our destination was Tortilla Flats. We made it just in time for dinner. Even for a Saturday evening, the restaurant closes pretty early at 7:00pm so we felt fortunate to get in for last call (for food that is). Tortilla Flats is best known for its decor of dollar bills covering every inch of space on the walls of the restaurant. It is quite entertaining to read what people have written on the dollar bills and to see how old some of them are. The food is pretty good too! I will warn you though, if you plan to order the Nachos Grande, make sure you have someone to share them with!!
At Take A Hike Arizona, we love to share our experiences with our fans and we love to hear from you as well! Tell us about some great adventures you have had whether it is here in the valley or in your hometown. Just send us your experiences to info@takeahikearizona.com and we can share them with our readers as well! Also, we offer great day hikes in the Superstitions area, described in this posting, during which our guides will show you some fantastic scenery and share many local legends and history with you along the way. Just call us at 480-634-8488 to learn more about the excursions we offer!
Homemade granola with Greek Yogurt
March 24, 2010 by taha
Okay, I thought I would try something new on our blog. One thing that most of us probably agree on is that many outdoor adventure/fitness enthusiasts enjoy eating good, healthy food. Although, I have to say I may be the exception to that as I do give in to my McDonald’s and Starbucks cravings probably a little too often. Anyway, I got this recipe from my mother-in-law for homemade granola and it is so good that I had to share it. It is very easy to prepare and stores quite well, although our supply doesn’t last long so I’m always making a fresh batch! So here’s the recipe:
- 1 cup of quick cooking (not instant) rolled oats
- 1/2 cup sweetened, shredded coconut
- 1/2 cup sliced or slivered almonds (I use slivered)
- 3 Tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 Tablespoons of good honey
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Toss the oats, coconut, almonds, oil and honey together in a large bowl until they are completely combined. Pour mixture onto a sheet pan and bake, stirring occasionally with a spatula, until the mixture turns a nice, even golden brown. This takes about 15-20 minutes. Remove the granola from the oven and allow to cool, stirring once.
I then serve the granola with honey and greek yogurt. I use the honey flavored greek yogurt, but plain is good as well. This is a great way to start the day or have as a snack. It is also really delicious on ice cream or sprinkled over fruit. I included a photo below so you could see how I serve it when we have guests over for brunch. I also make it “pretty” for the kids. They seem to think it tastes like a treat that way! Hey, whatever it takes!!
Anyway, give it a try and let me know what you think. We would love to hear back from you as well on your favorite, healthy and easy recipes. You can either email us your favorties at: info@takeahikearizona.com or submit comments on our blog. We look forward to sharing more fun, easy recipes with you in the coming months. Enjoy!
A delicious and easy recipe!
Hiking in the Rain
March 9, 2010 by taha
Okay, so I’m sure you’ve heard the song “Singing in the rain” right? Well, there should be one for Hiking in the rain! Wow, we have had so much rain this year in the desert!! I have never seen the desert as green as it is right now. There is so much ground cover and plenty of tiny wildflowers popping up everywhere. If you haven’t been out there yet, you should try to make some time to do so. We do not get great rainy seasons like this too often.
Speaking of which, we just did a hike this past Sunday (a very stormy day). We started out (and finished the hike) with 17 people in an absolute downpour! First of all, I have to say hats off to the hardy souls that joined us for what promised to be a very wet hike. Fortunately, the rain did slow down and actually stopped for some time so we were not being rained on the whole hike. I have not had many opportunities to actually hike here in the desert during a rainstorm. It seems more often than not, that our rains are accompanied by thunder and lightning and we do not go out in that weather. But on Sunday, we were fortunate enough to have the rain minus the lightning which would have been a showstopper. Anyway, as I was saying, this is one of the first times I’ve been out hiking in the desert mountains in the rain here in the valley. I have to say it was absolutely beautiful! The creosote bushes, which give our desert that great aroma when it rains, literally filled the air with their scent. It kind of reminded me of when I used to hike in the pine forests back east and you couldn’t seem to breathe in enough of the beautiful scented air.
Not only did the desert smell fresh and the air felt crisp, but we were rewarded with some great views from within the clouds and above the clouds as we hiked up. At some points during the hike it felt like we were walking out of the mist into a new world. It was very serene to say the least. Then to top off the hike, the clouds cleared just enough to let the sun peak through and create an unbelievably bright, colorful rainbow as we were hiking back down to reality. It really doesn’t get any better than that! Anyway, I was just so in awe of the beauty of the desert on this hike, that I just had to mention it on our blog. And I wanted to highly recommend to those of you who haven’t done so yet, try to take advantage of some of the rainy days and get out there and hike! Just don’t go if there is thunder and lightning in the forecast! If you do get out there, let me know about your experience and send me some photos. I’d love to hear about it.
Lastly, you can go to our photo gallery on our site http://www.takeahikearizona.com and look at the gorgeous photos we took during this hike. They are included in the WM Symposium folder on our flickr page (which is linked to our photo gallery). I also included a photo with this post of the rainbow we saw on our way back down.
Sonoran Desert Rainbow
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