Hike #50 - Aravaipa Trail, Aravaipa Wilderness, AZ

The Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness is 19,410 acres which includes the 11 mile Aravaipa Canyon. In order to control the quantity of people in the canyon and to keep it pristine, the Nature Conservancy protects the area by requiring a permit to hike in the area.  This canyon is very remote near Globe, AZ.  We did not see any other people.  This is a wet hike and we crossed the creek more than 30 times in the 4 hours we were there.  Thanks to www.toddshikingguide.com, we purchased neoprene socks to keep our feet warm since it was December. This was the best thing we could have done. When we were not crossing the creek, we were walking over, under and around trees, bushes and boulders.  I recommend wearing long sleeves and long pants for protection.

The perennial waters of Aravaipa Creek have carved a scenic canyon through the Sonoran Desert at the northern end of the Galiuro Mountains in southeastern Arizona. Saguaro cactus dot the canyon slopes, and a mixed-broadleaf riparian forest lines the canyon slopes at the creek.

The canyon, 1,000 feet deep in places, is home to desert bighorn sheep, javelinas, coati mundis, ringtail cats and other interesting wildlife. The creek is home to 7 species of native fish, and over 200 species of birds live among the cottonwoods, sycamores, willows, ash and other riparian species in the canyon. Aravaipa Canyon is 11 miles long, and elevations range from 3,000 feet at the eastern trailhead to 2,650 feet at the western trailhead. Nine major side canyons feed into Aravaipa. http://www.arizonaguide.com/places-to-visit/tucson-southern-arizona/aravaipa-canyon-wilderness

Hike #49 - Peralta Trail, Superstion Mountains, Apache Junction, AZ

The Peralta trail to the Freemont Saddle is a popular trail in the Superstition mountains near Gold Canyon, AZ.  The trail is 4.9 miles out and back with an elevation gain of 1380'.  Paul and I hiked this trail on a cold and overcast day near the end of December 2013.  We passed many other hikers. At the top there is a great view of Weaver's Needle.  Vegetation starts out lush and thick at the bottom and thins out near the top. Saguaro cacti are everywhere and there are many wonderful rock formations. For more info and directions see: http://www.protrails.com/trail/593/phoenix-scottsdale-mesa-peralta-trail

HIke #48 - Mormon Trail, South Mountain Park, Phoenix, AZ

The Mormon trail is a short but somewhat steep 1.25 mile trail that joins with the National trail or Mormon Loop.  The elevation gain is 754'.  Paul and I did this trail the same day with Geronimo which is nearby.  The trail head for Mormon is near 24th St. and Valley View Ave.  There is a small parking lot that fills up fast so many of us had to park along the street in the near by neighborhood. For a longer option you can Hidden Valley Loop trail or Mormon Loop which are easily accessible from this trail.  

Hike #47 - Geronimo Trail, South Mountain Park, Phoenix, AZ

                                                              The Geronimo Trail is a 2.5 mile, moderate hike with an elevation change of 1,000'.  The trail head is actually at the top of the mountain near the Buena Vista trail head/parking lot, and about .25 miles from a memorial park bench.  We started at the bottom, near 20th St. and Dobbins Road.  There is a small dirt parking area for approx. 6 cars. This is adjacent to the Heard Boy Scout Camp which we walked through on the way down.  We took a left onto the Spur trail about half way down instead of a right which would have taken us back the same way.  There are no signs or markers to show the way or that the trail changes.  This trail is popular with mountain bikers although we did not see anyone.  There are great views of downtown Phoenix.