Hiking, Trails & Lakes (Scottsdale, Maricopa: offer, recreation, hot)

[FastFerrari]

Im from out of town and neeed some reliable advice on recreation spots around the "Valley"...especially places that offer picturesque views. Names or a good website would be plenty..THANX

[PhoenixGuy]

HIKING TRAILS SOUTH MOUNTAIN PARK/PRESERVE

[topjimmy]

Canyon Lake

Canyon Lake (Arizona) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[Bill-]

Originally Posted by topjimmy

Canyon Lake

Canyon Lake (Arizona) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

There's actually a nice hiking trail that starts across from the main Marina entrance. I Believe it's called the Boulder Canyon Trail. Nice hike into the hills and canyons above the lake.

[biophase]

If you're around Scottsdale and want to do an in city hike there is Camelback Mountain. Choose either the Cholla or Echo Canyon trail. Cholla is from the east, it's easier. Echo Canyon is from the west, it's steeper and tougher. Both lead to the same peak.

[Ponderosa]

check out Maricopa county parks at maricopa.gov. All the parks have great hiking and views. I like Estrella and White Tanks especially, because they're more remote. It's a tad hot for hiking right now , but in a couple weeks when monsoon moisture departs the mornings will be cool once again.

If you want a breathtaking road trip, take US 60 to Apache Trail and follow it all the way to Roosevelt Lake, cross the dam and come back on Beeline Highway. This is the route I take to introduce first time family visitors to the beauty of AZ. It nevers fails to delight them.