Deep in the Sonoran Desert sits Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. Sharing its southern border with Mexico, this park features scenic drives, wide open desert expanses and most notable of all – thousands of its namesake Organ Pipe Cactus. It’s the only place in the United States where Organ Pipe Cactus grows wild, but that isn’t the only wild thing about the…
It’s a sure sign Spring is on its way – flowers blooming in the Arizona desert. Ironically, I still think it’s puffy jacket & hat weather, but apparently mother nature seems ready to shed her winter coat and try on something a bit more colorful. In the Phoenix Sonoran Preserve just north of Phoenix, you’ll find over 30 miles of trails. In…
The Maxine Lakin Nature Trail, also known as trail #60, is a 1.2 mile loop on North Mountain – part of the North Mountain & Shaw Butte park in north Phoenix, Arizona. Its central location in the Phoenix metro makes this a great park to explore when you’re short on time but want to get a quick hike in. With several convenient…
First things first, let’s talk names. The hike I’m going to tell you about would best be described as the “Second Water to Boulder Canyon to Cavalry to Dutchman Trail Loop.” However, if you’re looking it up on AllTrails – a super popular hiking app – you’re going to see that it’s called the “Calvary Trail“. While the difference between “Cavalry” and…
When it comes to national parks, Arizona is obviously famous for the Grand Canyon – and for good reason. It’s a stunning testament to mother nature’s power and patience. But spread across the state are 23 other national parks, monuments and historic sites begging to be visited and ready to share their stories. Tucked away in the southeast corner of Arizona, just…