March 13th 2021 Thompson Peak

Thompson Peak just inside of Fountain Hills

Difficulty: Strenuous

Hiking Partners: UJ and Colin

Distance: 9.91 miles

 

We started the hike at 8am with a temperature of 43 degrees. Halfway up the trail before the clouds you could see this awesome view!

We had a nice semi paved road to hike up to the top.

We broke into the clouds. This was a very steep incline. Hard to tell in the picture but you definitely had to lean in to the trail. Colin at a rest point.

Look down from where we came from.

I can see the top! Almost there!

Woo we made it!

The Gents!

The clouds cleared for a brief view of the city below. Facing Northeast.

A nice view facing Northwest. Wind blowing to the South.

The clouds are starting to clear and we can see the decent.

Yep, there's a cave/mine back there.

UJ posing by the petroglyphs.

Petroglyph location.

Dixie Mine.

The cool trail off the beaten path to the petroglyphs.

UJ leading the pack trying to beat the storm. It actually hailed on us!

Storm clouds passing by.

We finished at the trailhead! The mountain in the middle of the picture is Thompson Peak. We were just up there! How crazy is that!

3904 Elevation at the top!

A nice overview of the hike brought to you by Suunto and Strava.

Until next time!

February 6th 2021 Massacre Falls

 Hike: Massacre Falls

Location: Superstitions.

Distance: 5.8 miles

Hiking Partners: UJ and Colin

History: One day way back when the Peralta family was mining for gold. They gathered up all their gold and started hiking and back to their camp when they were ambushed by Indians. Everyone died except for two Peralta family members. The Indians took everything they left behind including the gold which they hid somewhere in the Superstitions. After this ambush the gold was never to be found again. This is where the Lost Dutchmen's Mine legend began.

The falls behind us were trickling but there was water!

Amazing views hiking back down.

UJ lead the pace as we headed back down for lunch!

Overall, one of my new favorite hikes!

Until next time!

January 30th 2021 General Crook to Clint Wells

 Solo Trip to The Snow!

We finally got a good amount of snow over a period of a week so I decided to head up north for the day and play in the snow!

 I drove from Phoenix to Camp Verde, up General Crook Highway, down to Clint Wells, back up to Strawberry, through Pine to Payson and back to Phoenix all in one day!

I kept running into lots of people and me being solo I wanted my own patch of snow. I finally found that at Clint Wells. Plus they have a nice parking lot so I knew I wouldn't have to pull off onto a sketchy slushy road. Above is my nice fresh powder untouched except for my foot prints.

The sun was starting to set. I attempted a snow man but it was way to dry so I just rolled around for a while.

I attempted sledding but didn't make it too far down the hill. The above picture was taken at the base of the hill.

It's tradition to put a snow man on the antenna for the drive home :)

All in all, it was a great day to get out in the snow. If your wondering if I took any snow back home...I sure did! Had a great snow ball fight with the fam to round off the night!

Until next time!

January 16th 2021

Return to Sabino Falls....Sorta.

Distance: 10.5 miles

Hiking Partners: UJ, Colin and Anthony.

We started off on the correct trail and soon got off onto the wrong trail. We ended up hiking up Sabino Canyon when we were supposed to be hiking into Bear Canyon to see the falls. Once we figured it out, we all laughed, turned around and headed back down. 

On the way down we met a nice little creature seldom seen in other parts of AZ called a coatimundi.

Anthony, pictured above named his new friend. Sniffles. He was very used to people unlike the others we saw in Haunted Canyon a few years back.

We stopped at a local brewery called Firetruck Brewing on the way back for lunch. Excellent hot wings and flights of beer.

We ended with a great picture by the nail salon!

We will return for redemption to see the falls! If not this spring but next fall!

November 28th 2020 Location: Canyon Lake AZ

Canyon Lake Kayaking Trip

Distance: 16 miles

Kayaking Partners: Dad

My dad and I normally hit some outdoor activities but his work has been super crazy so it's been awhile. we decided to do a Father-Son Kayaking day trip that weekend and it was a blast!

It had been more than a decade since myself and my Dad had been on this lake. 

Here's a nice shot entering the canyon.

Check out those canyon walls!

Dad leading for the first part.

Good thing we have kayaks!

Going a little deeper in the canyon.

Dad said, Hey get a picture of me in this giant hole in the cliff. Inner child coming out :)

Wonder who lives in there.

Dad behind me. Come on Dad catch up!

Looks like we found a nice lunch spot.

OOOO an island and a perfect dock for lunch!

Yea, I had to kayak to the end which was only another 20 feet from our beach.

Look at those hansom fellas.

After lunch, we continued heading up the canyon.

We are both enjoying the views.

One of the best pictures of the day. Caught when we were both laughing trying to get the shot.

We turned around right at the base of this huge cliff.

Lake starfish is what I call these.

The sun is setting time to paddle back.

Back out the the mouth of the canyon.

Open water close to the dock. Sun setting nicely on the cliffs.

Oh Dad, at least you waited to flip while on the dock, next to the car and all your dry clothes!

Dad was in a fiber glass boat and didn't want to pull up hard to the dock so he tried to position himself correctly. Then a big wave came and knocked him over. Fully submerged up to his shoulders!

All in all a great day on the water! Can't wait till the next one!