Recently, the outdoor store REI (Recreational Equipment Inc.) has taken up the slogan #OptOutside to encourage people to get outdoors. The trending hashtag began on Black Friday, when REI shut their doors as incentive for Americans to choose hiking boots instead of shopping bags. Hiking is the perfect way to enjoy the outdoors, and winter in Arizona is the perfect time to do it. Great hikes can be found all over Arizona, and many amazing hikes may be near you.
One such example is South Mountain, which boasts numerous trails to fit any hiker. The Pima Canyon trailhead, on 48th Street near Guadalupe Road in Ahwatukee, offers a range of trails from simple day hikes to more difficult treks. One of South Mountain’s easier adventures is the Dirt Road Trail, a flat and relatively easy 2.4 mile roundtrip hike. For the more daring hearts, branching from the same Pima Canyon trailhead is the Ridgeline Trail, which is much steeper and more difficult.
The McDowell Mountain Range is another valley favorite. Senior Sydney LaPierre enjoys hiking the McDowell range, located on the east side of Thompson Peak Road between Legacy Boulevard and Bell Road in Scottsdale. LaPierre’s favorite trail, the Gateway Loop Trail, is a moderately steep 4.5 mile loop. According to LaPierre, “It’s a beautiful trail, filled with many dogs and great views of the sunset.”
If a fun day trip with friends is what you need, Arizona offers an infinite amount of incredible hikes found outside of the valley, such as in Flagstaff, Sedona, Tucson and elsewhere. Senior Meg Ingram recently took a day trip to the Bear Mountain Trail in Sedona, a challenging 5 mile hike featuring a 2000 foot elevation change. Ingram said, “It’s a very difficult hike, but totally worth it for the amazing views.”
Hikes such as these are a wonderful way to exercise after the holidays, and are a cheap and enjoyable activity to do with friends, family or just yourself.
This season, remember to #OptOutside whenever you get the chance.
