The MVWC Hiking Group is a fun way to get some cardio exercise, while spending an hour in our beautiful desert surroundings. Each month, we visit a different trail, and reward our efforts later with a stop at a local establishment for refreshments.
In October we kicked off the season with an easy hike from the North Mountain Visitor Center. For November, we returned to North Mountain, but this time, we walked through the tunnel to the Phoenix Mountain Preserve area to take advantage of trails 100 and 25 on the East side.
December’s hike was in the beautiful Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area north of Cave Creek, where we explored the Spur Cross, Fairy Duster & Metate trails. A prime example of high Sonoran Desert, Spur Cross Ranch has one of the last remaining year-round spring-fed streams in Cave Creek, which is home to many species of animals including javelina, mule deer, and coyotes. Over 80 species of birds have been observed in this habitat, and beyond the banks of the stream lies one of the region’s densest stands of saguaro cactus. The park also contains nearly 90 archaeological sites used by the Hohokam Indians, including petroglyphs.
We traveled to Scottsdale in January to hike the scenic Ringtail Loop trail in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, which features beautiful wildflowers and views of the valley. The Scottsdale McDowell Sonoran Preserve is a large (30k+ acres), permanently protected, sustainable desert habitat that provides access to more than 225 miles of an interconnected network of non-motorized, multi-use trails (hike/bike/horse) accessed from multiple trailhead locations.
February’s Apache Wash hike in the Phoenix Sonoran Preserve was rescheduled due to rain, and will be conducted in early March. The trail offers breathtaking views of the Sonoran preserve and is a beautiful example of the Sonoran Desert, passing through cactus gardens and providing unrestricted desert views, including a diversity of cactus and desert wildlife. After the hike, we will be stopping at KneadLuv, a delightful gluten free bakery / coffee shop, located on Cave Creek, just north of the 101.
If you haven’t had the chance to join one of our outings, reach out to Barb N to get added to the group. It’s a great way to get your cardio workout – walking with your friends, surrounded by desert beauty!
