Dog on a Leash

My dog Brody loves the McDowell Mountains. Brody leads the way on this 2 mile hike, starting from Bell Road in McDowell Mountain Ranch.

See the leash? It's important to follow the leash law if you bring your dog into the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. Why? Take it from me, pulling cactus needles out of your dogs nose after he decides to chase down a rabbit isn't fun, and it can be avoided by using a leash and keeping your dog on the trails.

Until next time friends!

Tom's Thumb to Windgate Overlook and Silverleaf

Natural Spring (above)

Nature Walk

I'm Erin, today's guest blogger. This is a picture of a Saguaro cactus and a Buckhorn Cholla.

Here is a three armed Saguaro cactus with bushes and a baby Saguaro cactus in the background.

Here is me standing on a rock pile with a bunch of Saguaro cactus in the background.

To a New Year

Dedicated to my one and only Chili Fitzgerald. May the days ahead be paved with opportunities for you to give back to this Earth!

Posing at Pinnacle Peak

We spent the afternoon with the crowds at Pinnacle Peak today. It was surprising to me to see so many people hiking. There must have been a hundred cars along the way up to the trail head.

We walked, we ran, and at times we struggled, but in the end we made it through the 3.5 mile hike in happiness and good health.

Ahh!

Happy Thanksgiving

McDowell Mountain Morning

Top of Bell Pass looking South and North

Looking NE @ Bell Pass (above)

So I set out early today. The sun was just a shimmer over the horizon and the desert was very still. The sun rose quickly and blue skies followed. I made it to the top of Bell Pass. Thanks go to the sole other hiker who challenged me to the top! If it wasn't for you I wouldn't have made the trip all the way up. On the way down I discovered one of my favorite things to do, Trail Running!

Raven Peak