Grand Canyon Camping & Hiking Trip
August 19, 2009 by taha
Grand Canyon Wildlife
So, we had a few extra days (4 to be exact) on our hands before the kids returned to school and we figured why not get out of the heat of the desert and go camping up at the South Rim? So we did! We made reservations at Mather Campground, which is one of the campgrounds located within the National Park boundaries of the Grand Canyon. We packed up our camping gear and the kids and headed out. With kids, it’s about a 4 hour drive from Phoenix to the Grand Canyon. We always time it just right so we can stop in Flagstaff to stretch our legs a bit and have lunch.
Mather campground is one of my favorite places to stay (as long as you can get a reasonably sized site with shade). The campground has bathroom facilities throughout (although the facilities on the Juniper Loop by site #118 are closed and currently under construction) and there is also a shower/laundry facility available as well. We sort of like the idea of having a shower handy after hiking the Grand Canyon in 90-100 degree heat all day!
After settling in at the campsite, we decided to go for a walk on the Rim Trail at sunset. It was my 5 year old’s first visit to the Grand Canyon so I was curious to see what his impressions would be. As usual, on the way through the campground and the village, we came across a number of mule deer and elk. I don’t care how often you visit the National Parks, it is still always a great treat to see the wildlife! What’s really nice about the Grand Canyon village area, is you can almost set your watch by when the deer appear around the railway station and tracks. At least during this time of year, you are practically guaranteed to see the deer which makes it a great evening walk for the kids! So, we admired the deer (from a distance) for some time and then hightailed it to the rim for the view of the canyon at sunset. As always, it was spectacular! And yes, my 5 year old was duly impressed with the sheer dropoffs and kept asking what would happen if he jumped/fell from this spot…or this spot…or this spot. Needless to say, his wrist still has the indentations from my fingers wrapped tightly around it!
That was our first foray of the weekend to the edge of the canyon. Since we had kids with us, we decided to do a pretty mild hike the next day that we figured they could handle. We headed down the South Kaibab Trail with the plan to stop at Cedar Ridge, have lunch and head back up. I could only hope that the kids would enjoy their hike into this phenomenal wonder of the world as much as they enjoyed their shuttle bus ride to the trailhead. So, with lots of water, snacks and lunch we started down the trail in the early morning. The temperature at the trailhead (about 7,000 feet elevation) was about 75 – 80 degrees with a forecast of 95 degrees for later in the afternoon. Now, as you head down into the canyon those temperatures increase significantly. It is not uncommon for Phantom Ranch (elevation of 2,400 ft) to be at least 20 – 25 degrees hotter than the top of the canyon. Something to keep in mind when you know you will be hiking out as the day is heating up.
Anyway, we had a great hike down to Cedar Ridge (a descent of 1,140 feet from the rim). The kids did an awesome job and by that I mean, few complaints and few incidents of being too close to the edge of the trail. The one thing to keep in mind about hiking this trail is that there is no water supply available to refill your hydration pack or water bottles. So be sure to bring enough water (about 1 -1.5 liters per hour) for your trip down and back up from Cedar Ridge or Skeleton Point. What is nice about Cedar Ridge, besides the view, is that there are restroom facilities available. But there is no water to wash your hands so have some anti-bacterial gel or wipes along with you as well. And Cedar Ridge is a beautiful spot to have lunch. Just ask the squirrels!
The second we sat down we had a number of rock squirrels doing reconnaissance around our spot. We literally were under constant surveillance! Obviously, many visitors before us have conditioned the animals to expect a hand out. As frequent guests of our National Parks, we have learned that you do not feed the animals. First, it makes the animals dependent on humans to feed them, second, the type of food we feed them is detrimental to their health and lastly, they will bite you! Did you know that the Grand Canyon rangers have reported that more people are injured by bites from these cute furry little squirrels than by anything else at the Grand Canyon? I don’t know about you, but I’m in no hurry to go get my rabies shot! So keep the kids (and yourself) away from the squirrels and please don’t feed them your leftovers. Oh and did I forget to mention that all wildlife in the park is protected by federal law and if a ranger does happen to see you feeding the animals that you could be subject to a $500 fine? Ouch.
So, with lunch done and the day starting to heat up quickly, we started heading back up the trail towards the rim. The hike back up is about 1.5 miles and we needed to go up that 1,140 feet that we just came down quite easily a short time ago. It quickly became apparent that we made a wise choice to turn around at Cedar Ridge (as originally planned) versus heading a bit further down to Skeleton Point. The kids got tired with the steep climb and the increasing heat as did my husband who was backpacking our 5 year old up. But, we made sure everyone took frequent rest stops and drank lots of water. I even had a couple of bandanas that I wet down and used to cool off heads and necks. That helped immensely. We made it up the trail with no issues and still had water to spare at the top. So, overall I would have to say that our camping/hiking trip to the Canyon with our kids was a success. My husband actually admitted that he enjoyed camping (never did it before in his life!) and my kids will have fond memories of their Grand Canyon adventure and their favorite shuttle bus.
If you have never visited the Grand Canyon and would like more information, please do not hesitate to contact us at Take A Hike Arizona. We do not guide hikes in the Canyon, but we love to share our knowledge about it with those who are interested and we do know of a few great companies that do provide guiding services there if that is something else you would like to know about. If you are going to the canyon, have a safe trip and send us your photos! We would love to see them.
The Peralta Trail
May 12, 2009 by taha
We just got back from a great hike out on the Peralta Trail in the Superstitions Wilderness Area. This 4.5 mile (roundtrip) hike is one of my favorites for a couple of reasons. First, although you gain about 1,300 -1,400 feet in elevation, the trail meanders its way up to the saddle versus using steep switchbacks. This makes the trail very manageable for anyone wanting to head out on it. Second, I never get tired of admiring the dramatic volcanic rock formations along the way or coming up over Freemont Saddle for a fantastic view of Weaver’s Needle. I love the view of Weaver’s Needle so much that I used it as our backdrop for our holiday photos last year!
What’s cool about the Peralta Trail (and the Superstitions in general) is that you get a lot more than just scenic views on your hike. This area is rich in vegetation and wildlife. This year the Superstitions had some of the most beautiful Spring flowers, more so than anywhere else in the valley. As a matter of fact, there are a number of flowers still blooming out there this week. Then during the warmer months (like now), you will find plenty of lizards darting about.
The Peralta Trail is one of my favorite places to find gorgeous Common Collared Lizards such as the one in the photo above. These critters can be tricky to spot. I’ve found them most often on the upper third of the trail (up above the yellow tuff line that is on your right side as you head up). Look for them on the volcanic reddish brown pockmarked rocks. They seem to love hanging out in the sun on those particular rocks. If you move slowly enough, you may be able to get a few good closeup photos of the lizard before it runs and hides. You might also be lucky enough to be treated to the sight of it hopping as it moves away from you. It is amazing how graceful they can appear as they quickly hop from one rock to the next! I sometimes wonder if they have hidden springs in their legs!
If you like the photo of the lizard above and you just have to see more of them, check out our wildlife photos in our photo gallery. You will also find some great photos of the hikes we have done in the Superstitions as well. So, if this sounds like a hike you’d like to try, just head out east on US Highway 60 until the highway turns into a 4-lane road. Then look for the turnoff for Peralta Road. Turn left onto Peralta Road and follow that all the way to the end (about 8 miles on a dirt road). The trailhead is at the very end. Facilities (or some semblance thereof) are available at the trailhead. If you are heading to the trail from the Scottsdale area, leave yourself at least 1.25 hours for the drive and get there early! The parking lot gets full on the weekends. Of course, we at Take A Hike Arizona, always recommend you take a guided hike into this area as it is wilderness and rescues do take place there much too frequently. And besides, how else are you going to find those elusive Collared Lizards??
Summer is almost here!
April 30, 2009 by taha
Saguaro cacti silhouttes
I am somewhat sad to report that Spring here in the desert is just about behind us. Now that we are heading into May, I expect that things will warm up pretty quickly here. Luckily, we still have many cactus still in the process of blooming or beginning to bloom!
The saguaros are just now starting to grow their buds and a number of them are already blooming those gorgeous large white flowers, which are our state flower by the way. The saguaro blooms do seem to be a bit early this year. Typically, the flowers on these cacti bloom in mid- May to early June with the fruit harvest then falling into late June early July. We also have many cholla cacti starting to show their colors as well as the Little Leaf Palo Verde trees and the Ironwood trees. So, there is still a lot of color to see out there.
But, there is no denying that the warmer, no….hot, okay, the really hot weather is on its way. With that in mind, we (Take A Hike Arizona) are offering our guests the option of hiking during the cooler parts of the day. From May through September, we will have sunrise, sunset, moonlight, and night hikes. Check out the following descriptions to see what you can expect from each hike:
Sunrise: We begin our sunrise hikes in the pre-dawn hours as the sky begins to lighten. Many desert dwellers are nocturnal and these early morning hours provide a great opportunity to see the desert animals, such as coyote, bobcat, and javelina, as they begin to retire for the day. Sunrise hikes are a great option for those visiting the Valley of the Sun during our warmer months.
Sunset: We begin our sunset hikes about one hour before sunset to ensure our guests have an unforgettable view of the sun setting over the valley from the peak of the hike. As the sun sets, the sky provides a fantastic display of rich color and provides a beautiful backdrop for photography. As we watch the sun set, the city lights begin to flicker on and as we hike back down the trail, we are provided with gorgeous views of these lights around each corner of the trail. During the mid to later months of the summer, we will oftentimes be fortunate enough to witness the stunning desert rainbows that hang over the valley right before evening sets in.
Moonlight: Our moonlight hikes start right at sunset. This allows our eyes to adjust naturally to the darker sky as we hike. During our moonlight hikes, we like to point out various plants that bloom only at night during the summer. We look for bats pollinating the saguaro cacti, we look for javelina rummaging in the undergrowth for food, and we listen for the howl of the coyote and the calling of the Great Horned Owls. We take some time to listen to the “quiet” of the desert night and stargaze at the numerous stars that are so visible in our dark desert skies. This is a great excursion that gets you outdoors while escaping the heat of the day.
Scorpion and Tarantula Hunts: Similar to our moonlight hikes, we start our “hunts” shortly before dark to let our eyes adjust naturally to the lack of daylight. We provide flashlights and ultra-violet (black) lights to our guests to help them “hunt” for the scorpions and tarantulas. Scorpions will actually appear iridescent in the glow of the black lights, which helps us locate them. The flashlights will help us find tarantulas and a number of other desert dwellers that are out and about during the evening hours as well. These excursions are referred to as “hunts”, but none of the animals located are ever touched or harmed in any way. It is a memorable excursion that allows you to see these animals in their natural habitat.
So that is it in a nutshell! Come see for yourself why the Sonoran Desert is considered to be the most diverse desert in the world. You will be amazed at how alive the desert really is. Check out a couple of our summer packages now and book your tour today! Space is limited on our night hikes. Stay tuned for more fun facts about the desert and the latest happenings in our future postings. Thanks for checking out our blog!
Rattlesnake 101
March 27, 2009 by taha
Pinnacle Peak visitor
Okay, let me first say that I am not an expert when it comes to snakes. However, with that said, I do know enough about them to be able to admire them from a distance. Call me crazy, but it is always a treat to come across our desert dwelling snakes on a hike. Let me reiterate… I like to see them from a distance. I actually had a great opportunity this past week to do just that!
While out hiking on Pinnacle Peak on my way back down the trail, I turned the corner of one of the switchbacks and whoa….there it was. Surprisingly, I was one of the first to come across the rattlesnake as he crossed the trail. I say surprisingly because I have never seen the Pinnacle Peak trail so crowded! The snake must have been waiting for the perfect opportunity to pass by unhithered. Anyway, the photo at the top of this post is the one of the actual snake I saw on this hike. It was a Western Diamond-Backed Rattlesnake. After seeing this truly “pretty” snake, I thought perhaps it would be fun to share some information about these reptiles that call the Sonoran Desert home.
One interesting bit of trivia that I learned from the folks over at the South Mountain Environmental Education Center is that there are more kinds of rattlesnakes that live in the Southwest than anywhere else in North America! However, you are more likely to be struck by lightning than bit by a rattlesnake. That should be encouraging to those of you who may be fearful of hiking in areas where rattlesnakes reside. What also may be of interest to you, is that the majority of rattlesnake bite victims are younger (under 30 years of age), male, and inebriated. I think you get the picture. If you mess with the snake, it will mess with you.
Now let’s move on to the rattlesnake that comes to mind most often when talking about the desert southwest, the Western Diamond-Backed Rattlesnake. This particular snake is Arizona’s largest rattler. It can reach lengths of up to 7 feet (or more). I’ve heard that a coiled snake can strike at a distance half its body length. So if my math is correct, that means as long as I stand 30 feet away from this rattlesnake, I should be safe! Bummer. I don’t think my zoom lens is that strong.
So back to the rattlesnake. A rattlesnake is a pit viper. This means that the snake has heat sensing pits to detect warm-blooded prey and predators. These heat sensing pits are located on each side of its face between the eye and nostril. Since people are larger than most desert animals (that’s another blog post), we project a lot more heat and the rattlesnake senses that we are too big to eat. Another feature that defines a rattlesnake is the flattened, distinct triangular shaped head, elliptical pupils like cat eyes and fangs that fold back into its mouth. One of the defining characteristics of a Western Diamond-backed Rattler are the black and white bands around its tail right before the rattle.
Speaking of the rattle, many people do wonder about what exactly is inside that part of the snake’s tail that makes that rattling sound. Well, actually there is nothing inside the rattle. The rattle itself is made of hollow segments of keratin. This is the same substance that our hair and fingernails are made of. The rattling sound is created when these segments of keratin are rubbed/shaken together – think of dry leaves rustling in the wind. I cannot tell you how many times someone walking behind me brushed up against a dry bush on the side of the trail and I’ve stopped short in my tracks looking for the rattlesnake! Now for the “however”. One thing to keep in mind, contrary to popular belief, you do not always hear a rattle as a warning when you come too close to a rattlesnake. Young snakes have only what is called a “prebutton” and really cannot create the rattle sound and for one reason or another an adult rattler may be missing his rattler all together. So always keep an eye out as you hike along don’t just rely on your hearing.
So, rattlesnake 101 desert safety tips:
- Stay on the trail. You may encounter a snake on the trail, but you can see it and it can see you. Don’t go wandering about off trail where you are putting your feet down in areas that are not cleared and don’t go climbing up rocks and boulders where you are placing your hands where you can’t see them. You never know when a snake might be happily sunning itself on the boulder above you and there you go disturbing its fine day.
- If you hear a rattle, stop immediately. Look around for the source. If it’s your 8 year old nephew, then all is good (except for the 8 year old nephew). If you do see a rattlesnake, do not make any sudden moves. If you can, back away slowly to put some distance between you and the person closest to the snake. Seriously, that’s what I would do. Okay, not really. If someone is closer to the snake than you, then their hearing is not as acute as yours and you need to move them back with you away from the snake. More than likely, the snake will move along its way and you can continue your hike. Do not approach and/or try to encourage the snake to move along as it may take it as a challenge.
- It is always advisable to also wear high-topped shoes or boots for hiking in the desert.
- Lastly, stay alert and keep your ears and eyes open!
So those are the quick, (not all inclusive) rules of safety to try and avoid negative encounters with the rattlesnakes. If for some reason there is an encounter that results in the rattlesnake biting someone, the first thing you should do is call 911 immediately. Then have that individual remove all jewelry such as rings, watches, bracelets, etc. Do not apply a tourniquet, do not administer any type of drugs or alcohol or suck the venom out (now we have 2 victims), and do not apply ice. Any person bitten by a snake should be transported to the hospital without delay even if you do not think it was a rattlesnake. And you do not need to take the snake with you to show the doctors what type of snake bit the individual. The doctors will treat the symptoms not the species of the snake.
Just as an added FYI, a typical rattlesnake bite will require 20 vials of antivenin ($3,000 per vial) and a tetanus shot. But look on the bright side, it’s better than running into a rabid bobcat. Oh, did I mention we have those too?
Put your life on the "line" AND go hiking!
March 4, 2009 by taha
"A" Mountain
Okay, so we’re not really talking about risking your life on some extreme hike! We’re talking about hooking up with a fun group of people and riding the light rail to the “A” Mountain in Tempe! Take A Hike Arizona is partnering with Rail Life to get our friends out there to meet each other and network in a fun way! The plan is to meet on Saturday morning, March 21st at 8:00am at Mill’s End Coffee shop on the Southwest corner of 3rd & Mill (right off the 3rd & Mill light rail stop).
For those of you who may not be familiar with our A Mountain in Tempe, the official name of the mountain is actually Tempe Butte. The City of Tempe refers to the same mountain as Hayden Butte. Locals refer to it as “A” Mountain due to the 60 foot tall painted letter A near the summit. For a small bit of land, it certainly does have enough names! But, I digress. The base of Tempe Butte is at 1,150 feet while the summit reaches an elevation of 1,496. For those of you without a calculator (I can’t do math in my head), the total climb is 346 feet and 2 inches. Okay, I just threw in the 2 inches to see if you were paying attention!
The Butte may not qualify as an all out hike, but it does provide a nice quick jaunt uphill (just over 1/2 mile) and provides nice views of downtown Tempe, Tempe Town Lake and the surrounding area. Contrary to how it looks from a distance, Tempe Butte actually supports a nice variety of flora and fauna. You can find cholla cactus, barrel cactus, palo verde trees, mesquite trees, and even our majestic saguaro! As far as wildlife sightings go, you probably won’t find too many javelina or mule deer on this spot of land, but you can find cottontails, jackrabbits, pack rats and lizards!
The Butte is also a designated historical landmark. Just off the trailhead on the Leonard Monti Trail, you can find a number of petroglyphs carved into the rock by the Hohokam people. The Hohokams lived in the Phoenix area between 500 A.D. and 1450 A.D. How anyone can do that without air conditioning is beyond me!
So, anyway, the idea is to have a fun, casual get together while getting some exercise and fresh air! Not only that, but June and I (owners of Take A Hike Arizona) will be there to provide the interpretive part of the hike. That means you get to hear all kinds of fun facts about the desert inhabitants! All you have to do is show up, bring your own water and snacks and comfortable walking shoes. We look forward to seeing (and meeting) you there!
Fun Facts about the desert
March 2, 2009 by taha
The Sonoran Desert is the most diverse desert in the world;
Did you know that:
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There are more plants and animals living in the Sonoran Desert than most forests;
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There is on average a mountain rescue in the valley every 3 days;
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If you’re thirsty, you are already dehydrated;
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There are about 500 edible plants in the Sonoran Desert;
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There have been people living in the Sonoran Desert for the past 12,000 years;
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A jackrabbit can outrun most animals in the desert;
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The creosote bush gives us the smell of the desert;
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The average person that is bitten by a rattlesnake will need 20 viles of antivenin;
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One vile of antivenin cost $3,000.00? (yikes!)
These are just a FEW of the fun facts that you’ll learn on a Take A Hike Arizona hike. Whether you are visiting the valley or a resident, the guides of Take A Hike Arizona want to make your hike to the Sonoran Desert a fun, yet safe adventure. If you are fortunate enough to visit the Sonoran Desert, why not experience, explore and enjoy it by hiking with a professional, knowledgeable guide? All of our guided hikes are designed with you in mind! We choose our trails based on your ability, needs and interests. Our guides are all CPR and Wilderness First Aid certified. We provide your water, snacks, lunch, backpacks, trekking poles and all entry and permit fees. Make the most of your time in the desert and make your hike memorable. Take a hike with Take A Hike Arizona!
A Chilly Day in the Desert!
February 9, 2009 by taha
Brittle bush in full bloom.
Well, it is a chilly day here in the desert! It started raining yesterday and has continued raining through today. I believe the reported high temperature for today is supposed to be about 60 degrees. brrrr. This does not happen very often in the Valley of the Sun, so for those of us who live here, we appreciate the change in the weather. For those visiting our area this week, it could be worse, at least it is not snowing! Although now that I think of it, I did hear reports of snow and hail just a bit north of us up in the Cave Creek and Carefree areas. I expect that once we suffer through these 3 or 4 days of winter 
, we will be right back in the swing of Spring!! The great news is, the more rain we get now, the more colorful our wildflower season will be!
The Spring wildflower season is truly something to behold here in the Sonoran Desert. We have almost every color you can imagine when all of the different plants and cacti bloom. One of the more popular places for locals to visit during the Spring is Picacho Peak. This area is well known for its poppy flowers. These flowers come in all kinds of vibrant colors like red, yellow and orange and they spread out as far as the eye can see! Another area that we particularly enjoy during the Spring is Usery Mountain Regional Park and the McDowell Mountains. In addition to the poppies, these areas also have countless cacti, bushes, trees and other flora that provide continual color to the desert from mid-February to late May. We have already seen much of the Chuparosa in full bloom. Over the past week, the brittlebush have started blooming with their yellow flowers. These plants practically cover the desert floor from one end to the other resembling a yellow carpet. These plants will continue to bloom for several months to come. Other plants that are the first indicators of spring are the Blue Palo Verde Tree and the Sweet Acacia Tree. These are usually the first to bloom, even before the chuparosa and brittlebush. The Blue Palo Verdes began blooming a week or so ago in the lower lying areas. The Little Leaf Palo Verdes will begin to bloom a few weeks after, as they are typically up a bit higher on the hillsides and more open to the chilly air. The Sweet Acacia Tree, although not an indigenous tree to the Sonoran Desert, has begun blooming in many of the nearby neighborhoods as well. What all of this means is, Spring is arriving! This is our absolute favorite time to hike and bring guests out into the desert. You simply can’t beat the desert scenery and colors! Check out our wildflower photos at http://www.flickr.com/photos/takeahikearizona to see some great examples of the flowers we expect to see in the very near future!
Introduction to Take A Hike Arizona
February 6, 2009 by taha
Welcome to our new blog!
Take A Hike Arizona is a guided hiking company based out of Scottsdale, Arizona. We offer half-day (2-4 hours) and full-day (5-7 hours) guided hiking excursions into the Sonoran Desert. You can learn more specifics about our company on our website at http://www.takeahikearizona.com. June and I (Tracey) started this company with the desire to introduce our guests to this gorgeous desert we live in! As volunteer stewards with the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy, we encountered so many ill-prepared people hiking out in the desert. We came across individuals with little or no water, improper footwear, inappropriate dress for the desert environment, and even scarier than that we met people who didn’t even know what trail they were supposed to be on or where they were supposed to be going! We felt very strongly that we could help visitors to our desert experience and explore it in a much safer and enjoyable manner. Hence, our tagline: Experience, Explore, Enjoy!
Both June and I have always been avid hikers. We have both hiked all over the world in a variety of climates and terrain. But, the Sonoran Desert is our passion! Contrary to popular belief, the desert is very alive with plant and animal life! We have seen so many desert inhabitants on our hikes including coyotes, bobcats, tortoises, snakes, jackrabbits, cottontail rabbits, mule deer, and so many lizards and birds that we could never keep count! Every day brings new sights and sounds on our hikes. We never know what we will experience from one day to the next. This is what fascinates us about this desert we call home.
We are very passionate about what we do. We love to bring both visitors and locals alike out into the desert and show them things that they never would have seen or learned about if they were hiking on their own. And of course our priority is to have our guests experience, explore and enjoy the desert in a manner that is safe for both them and the desert ecosystem. Our goal is to educate people about this precious resource we have right in our own backyard!
Recent Photo's
