On today’s visit to the Phoenix Mountain Preserve, we decided on a loop hike of about 6.3 miles, moving clockwise along trails 302/304, 1A, VOA, 100, 8, and 304.
We have a map of the park (Green Trails Map No. 2813S), but it’s a bit challenging to follow, as the trails in the park are not well marked. Besides the formal trails that appear on the maps, there are also many informal trails, where hikers decided to make their own shortcuts. I think we generally followed the route given above, but sometimes we would encounter an intersection between trails, and without the trails being marked, we would be unsure whether this was an intersection shown on the map or not.
I don’t have much commentary to offer for the following photos. Other than Piestewa Peak, none of the mountains (hills) in the park are named on the map, so it’s not as though I can tell you: “This is So-and-so Peak.”
Phoenix Mountain Preserve
Phoenix Mountain Preserve
Phoenix Mountain Preserve
Phoenix Mountain Preserve
Phoenix Mountain Preserve
This is a barrel cactus, specifically, a fishhook barrel cactus. See, I finally had a comment!
Fishhook barrel cactus
Here’s a stand of them:
Stand of barrel cactus
Phoenix Mountain Preserve
This is one of the intersections between trails 1A and 302. One of them? Yeah, both are loop trails, and they run together for a while, so this could be where they depart from each other at the west end or at the east end.
Intersection of trails 1A and 302
Another panorama view:
Phoenix Mountain Preserve
Phoenix Mountain Preserve
I believe this is the mortal remains of a saguaro cactus:
Dead saguaro cactus
Phoenix Mountain Preserve
Phoenix Mountain Preserve
Purple flowers:
Desert flowers
Phoenix Mountain Preserve
I should note that there are many animals that live in the Phoenix Mountain Preserve, though there is so much foot traffic that the animals may remain hidden. We have only seen squirrels and a roadrunner, but there are many larger animals. Some of them venture out of the Preserve and into the surrounding neighborhoods. I have seen javelina and coyotes near our house. There are also bobcat and many other creatures.