The hike on January 14th will have 2 options: a 4.5 or 6.5 mile loop.
Location: Phoenix Sonoran Desert Preserve. The trailhead is located in a neighborhood. If you take AZ N 101, exit at #26 for 7th Street. Use the right lanes to turn right on N 7th St and continue for about 5 miles. Turn right onto N 19th Ave for about 1.8 miles. Turn right on Copperhead Trail, there will be a community center on the upper left corner. Look for brown signs for Desert Vista Trail. Turn right onto Malvern Trail. Trailhead will be at the end of this road. There is parking and bathrooms at the trailhead.
Meeting time: Meet at the trailhead at 8:45am to start hiking at 9:00am
Hike Description: We will all start on the Hawk’s Nest Trail.
Longer Hike: Those who want the longer hike will exit right onto the Desert Tortoise Trail for about 3 miles until it ends. At this intersection turn left onto the Valle Verde Trail. This group will cross the open desert with big saguaros then then go up hill to meet the Dixie Loop Trail.
Shorter Hike: Those that want to do the shorter trail will continue on the Hawk’s Nest Trail until it intersects with the Dixie Loop Trail. Signage is very good, letter “D” on a yellow background. About 1/3 of the way around the loop, there is the opportunity to hike the .02 mile Summit Trail for some wonderful views.
Hawk’s Nest is really an Owl’s Nest in the arms of a saguaro. The owl has returned many years to lay her egg(s) and raise her young from this nest. There is fencing in front of this area for protection of the owl.
Don’t forget to bring water, wear sunscreen and a hat. Due to the rocky trail, wearing hiking boots preferable. Bring trekking poles if you use them.
After the hike, which should take 2.5 – 3 hours, depending on the route, consider gathering at Eggstasy located at 2510 Happy Valley Road, Suite 1248, (6.5 miles) for coffee, food, and conversation.
See you then! Contact information is in the hike flyer.
Also, please check the calendar. If there is an open date and you would like to lead a hike, please send an email to outdoorgroup@phoenixuu.org with the date and location of the hike to be added to the calendar.
Holbert Trail to Dobbins Outlook Review
Eight hardy folks braved a chilly morning on December 24 to hike the Holbert Trail to Dobbins Lookout at South Mountain Preserve. Going through the desert portion of the trail, we were treated with petroglyphs on both sides. As we began ascending the Holbert trail, jackets were soon put into packs. The numerous switchbacks offered beautiful vistas and we had fun telling each other what the rock formation looked like. With the stopping for conversations, and time at Dobbins Outlook, the 4.5 mile hike ended around noon! Afterwards, 6 individuals went to Starbuck to continue conversations.