Outdoor Adventure – Piestewa Peak in Phoenix, Arizona

In how many places can you climb a mountain without leaving the city limits? And don’t start ringing off a bunch of towns already in the mountains. That’s cheating.

On the other hand, if you said “Phoenix, Arizona” you’d be right on the money! That’s because this vibrant Sonoran Desert city is home to Piestewa Peak (formerly Squaw Peak) of the Phoenix Mountains. Protected as a natural preserve, this half-mile high mountain summit is within the Phoenix borders, making it not only a designated point of local pride, but also making it a favorite for hikers, bikers, dog-walkers, equestrians, opening scene from Mission Impossible 2 reenacters and your everyday outdoor enthusiasts.

If you’re in Phoenix and you’re looking for something a little gamier than another round on the green, consider testing your strength with a rewarding hike up to Piestewa Peak.

Some Stuff To, Like, Know, and Stuff:

The summit elevation is 2,608 ft., which is a gain of 1,190 ft. from the starting point. While there are 11 official trails, only one goes to the summit, and it is considered the most strenuous and difficult. Be sure that you are up for it, and turn back if you ever feel the trail is getting the better of you. Remember, Phoenix doesn’t have any Sherpas.

Except for the Summit Trail, which is hikers only, the Phoenix Mountains are dog, horse and bike-friendly. You can use the following trail guide to get an idea of your options.

Don’t expect to be alone, by the way. The numerous trails are tackled by thousands on a weekly basis. If you time it right and choose one of the less traveled back trails, you can certainly find the peace and quiet if you’re looking for it, but don’t get your hopes up for some solitary man-against-nature, coming-of-age, went-up-a-hill-came-down-a-mountain scenario.

It’s not just other people, either. Piestewa Peak is crawling with beasties; some of them dangerous. Gila monsters, horned lizards, coyotes, jackrabbits, kit foxes, owls and hawks are quite common, as are the quite venomous rattlesnakes, so always be mindful of your surroundings and be sure to give wildlife plenty of space.

Finally, be smart. This is a desert after all, so carry plenty of water, apply sunscreen, wear a hat, wear hiking boots, carry a cell phone, make sure someone knows what you’re doing.

Picnic facilities are located all around Phoenix Mountains Park, so why not celebrate a successful return with a tasty meal amongst friends. Start your exploration of Piestewa Peak here.

We have a couple Phoenix hotels to recommend today, seeing as how they’re next door neighbors: 

• Courtyard Phoenix North / Happy Valley
• Residence Inn Phoenix North / Happy Valley

Be safe and have a fun, healthful time in Phoenix.

Image by Robertbody licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 License.

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