Some Misadventures

In my last post, I talked about how I would be doing the “Deem/Circumference Trail” this morning - honoring the first hike of the new month on the first of the month. Things didn’t quite go as planned, sadly. I had set my alarm for 5am so that I may wake in time to make the 45 minutes drive to the trail head from Surprise. The alarm went off as usual but my body and my whirling head fought against any movement whatsoever. No amount of cupboard medicine would hold off any oncoming cold or flu - ultimately forcing myself to stay in bed and drink some green tea. Still not feeling well several hours later, the decision was made to stay at home today and not try to do too much. However, my hiking buddy has the day off work tomorrow so we decided to make a plan to still honor the “first of the month” with a hike at the same trail. As I’m writing this, I’m starting to feel any illness waning from my body: a great sign.

Looking forward to tomorrow morning’s hike at the “Deem/Circumference Trail”, if we don’t decide to hike the Arrowhead Point Trail.

[9/29/16]

This week, I decided I wanted to do as much of Thunderbird Conservation Park hiking as possible. While I may not be able to conquer all the trails before the weekend, I will definitely be happy to conquer most of the more extensive and difficult trails. Started off at the Sunrise Trail today, and eventually made it to the top of the mountain. Overcast above provided wonderful cool weather and a light drizzle of rain as well. As I descended from the top of the Sunrise Trail, the rain picked up a little more, which felt outstanding. The gentle, chilled breeze rushing in made today’s hike all the more astounding. The overcast however, it provided a great opportunity for some photos, which you see here. 

[Route]:

I started off at the Sunrise Trail and made my way up to the top. The hike is roughly 30-45 minutes depending on pace. After reaching the top, I descended along back down the Sunrise Trail, but decided to take a part of the Ridgeline Trail where the Sunrise and Ridgeline Trail meet. After a half-mile hike along the Ridgeline Trail, I dipped down on to the Coach Whip Trail, another 2-mile hike. Overall, about 4 miles total hiked today.

[Next Hike - 10/1/16]:

Today, I decided I wanted to go back to the Thunderbird Conservation Park in Glendale. However, this time, I would be catching the Sunrise instead. The drive from the far West Valley to Northwest Phoenix/Glendale wasn’t all that bad to be honest. I’m in my car so much, traveling to new places I sort of get a thrill out of it.

Arrived at the base of the mountain at 6:15am despite the sunrise time being merely six minutes away. This didn’t deter me as this was the earliest I have ever gone hiking, and when my left foot first landed at the beginning Sunrise Trail, knew instantly I would be returning for more frequent early morning hikes at the same park. Many times I’ve visited this hiking range in the past, with its half dozen available trails ranging from easy to hard but never this early and never before the Sunrise Trail.

The trail isn’t too much to talk about, really. It is only merely 1.3 miles long from the base to the top. As we came along the last stretch of the trail, found a smaller but more steeper and difficult trail that led directly to the top. This cut off about 40 minutes, maybe just a bit less.

Absolutely worth it!

As we neared the top of the Sunrise Trail, I turned my head back to check on my hiking partner, making sure she was doing alright. We’re both a little out of shape right now haha. I saw a familiar face when I turned my head back. Casey! The gentleman from my previous hike this past Saturday at the very same spot. Being the kind of man that has a forgetful face, I was genuinely surprised he had remembered who I was; although more surprising was the fact he remembered my name.

Starting to think there may be a new hiking buddy in the midst.

What remained of the Sunrise over the East Valley, we sat and watched before we headed back down the trail. Absolutely beautiful.

Photo Credit: Ryan Golliher

Today, I decided to start my first hike of the Fall season with Thunderbird Mountain in Glendale, Arizona. It’s a relatively small mountain compared to those in the other parts of the valley but nonetheless a great hike. Decided to take the 3 mile ridge-line trail that led to a half-mile long trail called Sunset Point. It’s rightfully named so due to the region being open from sunrise to sunset. Many hiking patrons love to start their hikes roughly 15 minutes before the given sunrise time so they have a wonderful spot to view the show. Personally, I haven’t wakened my happy-butt up that early for hiking at Thunderbird Mountain just yet but I may do so next weekend. The weather will be much cooler about that time, I’m sure. Overall, despite running out of water about 2 1/2 miles in to the hike, I managed the hike fairly well today; even made a new friend by the name of Casey whom was on the very same trail. Casey is a gentleman looking into becoming a school teacher, starting as a substitute first. Few more people came round the final corner to the highest point of the mountain, an elderly couple and their two grand-children; their first time hiking, which was neat. The grand-kids sure schooled me when I realized they had taken the same trail. Albeit I am a bit out of shape right now but that won’t last for too long. If you’re looking to go on a “couple’s hike” or “family group hike”, Thunderbird Mountain is the mountain for you. Casey and I conversed for 30 more minutes or so before deciding to head back down the other trail which was only roughly 3/4 of a mile long before reaching flat-ground heading back to the park stations.

Yesterday marked the first day of Fall here in the Northern Hemisphere. Specifically, we in Arizona don’t get hit with “Fall Weather” too much, sadly. However, if you take a quick drive up to Northern Arizona, that’s where all the lovely change is happening. All the reds, browns, and orange colors bursting; it’s actually quite beautiful in Northern Arizona.

But I live in the “Valley”, where the change is practically non-existent. The temperatures do fall in less-than-rapid succession but nonetheless it does get a bit cooler.

“In Arizona, we have two seasons. There is ‘Hot’, then there is ‘Slightly Less Hot’.”