Category: Arizona

Pass Mountain

LuAnn

Looking out our rear window, Pass Mountain seemed to be calling to us to come and explore so we decided to see what the Pass Mountain Trail was all about.  Having read some literature, it was rated as a strenuous 7.4 mile hike, with some steep rocky descents.  This is the part that filled me with a little trepidation but I was game to give it a try.

This was a great exercise hike, a trail full of ups and downs around the base of Pass Mountain, which is known as Scarface by the locals.  Crossing the saddle at the half-way mark, we arrived at the section described as a rocky, steep descent, but nothing like what I had feared.  It was very doable and offered spectacular views of the backside of Pass Mountain, with Four Peaks in the distance beyond.

Terry, in his element, out on the trail

Terry and I both agreed that we would not have rated this hike as strenuous, more like a moderate trek, with some pretty spectacular desert views.

We have hiked the only lengthy trails in Usery Mountain Park so it is time to branch out to the Superstition Mountains, situated in Tonto National Forest and known for its legend of the Lost Dutchman’s Gold Mine.  Many years ago we spent time hiking in this wilderness and are looking forward to exploring it once again.

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Usery Mountain Regional Park

LuAnn

The human spirit needs places where nature has not been rearranged by the hand of man.  ~ Author Unknown

I spent roughly 20 years in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area but never was very familiar with the east valley so it was exciting to me that Terry chose Usery Mountain Regional Park for our 2-week stay.  Located in east Mesa, Usery Mountain Regional Park is a 3700 acre desert delight located at the western end of the Goldfield Mountains, abutting Tonto National Forest.  What awaited us was 29 miles of trails devoted to hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding and some spectacular views from our RV site.

Pass Mountain, the geologic focal point of the park, is the view from our rear window.  A landscape studded with stately saguaros, that house owls and many other bird species within their skeletons, as well as ocotillo, barrel cacti, and teddy bear chollas, dotted the desert floor.

Our side yard

Wind Cave Trail is the most popular trail within the park, a 3.2 mile trek up the face of Pass Mountain, with an elevation gain of 800 feet.  This was a good first hike for us, a nice little leg workout with some great views of the valley from the top.

Given the precipitation that Arizona has had the past couple of months, the desert is bursting with life, full of color, so green.  We are already planning more hikes, both in Usery Mountain Park and the Superstition Mountains.

Hiking in Red Rock Splendor

LuAnn

We set aside a good deal of time while in Sedona to catch up on tune-ups for our vehicles, tune-ups for ourselves (doctor appointments), and catching up with friends.  We did manage to squeeze in a few hikes, which we would have sorely regretted if we had not taken the time.

Sedona has such a network of hiking trails.  I won’t even venture to guess how many; the list goes on and on, with many taking on the names of their beloved namesake rock formations; i.e.  Rabbit Ears, Coffepot Rock, Cowpies (no kidding), and Bell Rock, just to name a few.

Rabbit Ears
Coffeepot Rock

The hike we decided upon was a combination of three connecting trails, Teacup, Soldiers’ Pass and ending on Brins Mesa, with some absolutely stunning views throughout.  The hike totaled 8 miles with the added bonus of most of it being downhill on the way back.  It is one thing to see the red rocks as you head into Sedona by way of a vehicle but to get out into this wilderness and explore adds another dimension of beauty.

Can you see the priest and 3 nuns in the background to the right?

For those who do not enjoy hiking but would like to get out and see some of the spectacular views and learn a little more about the history of this part of Arizona, many of the better known rock formations can be seen from the road and there are numerous Native American ruins in the area, two of which I have included photos of below.

Montezuma Castle
Tuzigoot

It is time to say goodbye to our Sedona friends.  From here we are heading to Mesa to the Usery Mountain Regional Park where we plan to soak up the sun and enjoy more desert hikes.

Raven silouette captured while hiking

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Red Rock Beauty

LuAnn

We plan to spend the next couple of weeks in Sedona, where we previously owned a home.  No matter how long you live in this area, it is difficult not to have a jaw-dropping experience when you turn off the highway and get your first peek at the red rocks.  There is a real beauty here and some would say it goes beyond the physical, if you read any number of articles/books written about the vortices and paranormal activity that some feel is pervasive here.  Whatever resonates with you, I don’t think anyone can come here and not feel the magic that has been bestowed on this area in the way of nature.

We spent Christmas day with our good friends Rosie and Jim, taking a hike into the Sycamore Canyon Wilderness area, 56,000 acres of spectacular red, orange, and cream-colored sandstone cliffs, dotted with pinion, juniper, and cypress trees.  The glassy, Verde river snaked through the canyon, and although something we would not entertain in December, swimming holes found here would be a welcome respite during the heat of the summer.

In prehistoric times, the canyon accommodated the Sinagua Indians and as you descend further into the quiet of the canyon, you can almost hear the whispers of these ancient peoples as the wind weaves its way through this vast wilderness.  Or perhaps, as some believe, it is a transdimensional being that has descended from a UFO, or Bigfoot moving through the shadows.

One Sedona author, Tom Dongo, finds Sycamore Canyon to be “just a flat-out weird place”, stating that he “wouldn’t spend the night there by myself”.  Dongo says that “people from Sedona often see things going in and out of the canyon.  I’ve seen UFO’s many times.  There seems to be an alien/government tunnel system there, too.”  Whatever you believe, Sycamore Canyon, in the light of day, is an amazing slice of wilderness but alas, we did not sense any unseen beings walking next to us.

Golden shrubs against a backdrop of verdant willows
Red rock reflections

Valley of the Sun ~ Phoenix, AZ

LuAnn

We drove into Phoenix on a rainy day, but having lived in Phoenix for roughly 20 years of my life, precipitation is always welcomed by those living in the Valley of the Sun.  Given that we had been in colder climates recently, a little rain was not a deterrent to us.

Most of our time here has been focused on sorting through items in our storage unit and closing that out, with many trips to local shelters, which we are sure will be greatly appreciated as this market was hard hit by the housing crisis.

We also were able to spend an evening with friends Carl and Marcia and felt fortunate to be able to do so, given that everyone is busily preparing for the holidays.  Marcia, always the trooper, had just had knee surgery two days before, but that did not discourage her from joining us for dinner.  We had a lovely time at P. F. Chang’s and caught up on what has gone on in each others’ lives.

Marcia & Me

An event that was taking place while we were in Phoenix was Las Noches de las Luminarias (the nights of the lights) at the Desert Botanical Garden.  These gardens are some of my favorites and we absolutely loved this event when we last attended it.  It did not disappoint us this time either.  It was a magical experience to wander through the 50-acre garden with more than 8000 luminarias lighting the paths.  With 10 musical groups performing nightly throughout the garden and a delectable dinner provided, it was a truly enchanting evening.   Anyone visiting Phoenix should put this on their must-see list, as it is a wonderland of arid plants from around the world, aromatic herb gardens, wildflower gardens bursting with color, artwork, and birds of the southwest.

From here we are heading to Sedona, where we previously lived, to spend the holidays with friends.  Since we had almost no time to get out and enjoy nature this visit, we plan to come back in a couple of weeks and hike to our hearts’ content.