Sears-Kay Ruins

Hike Through History and Recent Fire Devastation One of our favorite hikes near the Phoenix area are the Sears-Kay Indian ruins in the Tonto National Forest. The Sears-Kay Indian Ruins are a short drive North of Phoenix. The area was victim to a terrible forest fire in September 2020, and many of the Saguaros were…

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Granite Mountain Hotshots Memorial Trail

Hotshots Memorial Trail

On June 30, 2013, the Yarnell Hill Fire  killed 19 members of the Granite Mountain Hotshots. It was one of the deadliest U.S. wildfires. To memorialize the horrific events of that day, the Arizona Public Service Foundation invested in the Hotshot Memorial Trail as a place to remember and heal. As you walk up the trail, there…

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An Encounter with a Rattlesnake While Hiking near Phoenix

Injured Rattlesnake at Pinnacle Peak

And Hats off to Steve from Eden Prairie, Minnesota! On March 9, 2020, we had a close encounter with a rattlesnake hiking at Pinnacle Peak, a city park in Scottsdale, Arizona near Phoenix. We were hiking with our good friends, Lyn and Steve, from Eden Prairie, Minnesota. When we started the hike we had no…

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Best Hikes in Phoenix for Active Geezers

Camelback Mountain from the Northeast at Sunset

Winter Hiking One of the best reasons to visit the Phoenix area in the winter months is to take advantage of the winter hiking season. December through February, the weather is perfect for hiking, typically reaching highs in the 60s and low 70s. If you are afraid of hiking in Phoenix because of a fear…

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Sedona, Oak Creek Canyon, and Meteor Crater

Billy Banjo Picnic Park on Oak Creek Canyon

Hats off to Northern Arizona! Hats Off America traveled to Sedona, Oak Creek Canyon, and Meteor Crater, three stunning places in Northern Arizona. While Arizona is famous for is giant saguaros and the Grand Canyon, there is so much more in Arizona. From Ponderosa forests in the North to the Sonoran Desert in the south,…

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Meteor Crater in Arizona

The Barringer Crater in Arizona

Hats off to the Barringer Crater near Winslow Arizona! When driving through Arizona on Highway 40 you may be tempted to skip Meteor Crater. Meteor Crater is located on a very remote stretch of highway, with many miles between towns and rest stops. It is 6 miles from the freeway. And based on its remote…

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Sedona Chimney Rock Trail

chimney rock in sedona

Hats off to Chimney Rock Trail We were looking for an early evening hike close to our hotel in Sedona. We simply turned left of off Highway 89 and drove towards the mountain. This short excursion brought us to the Thunder Mountain Trailhead and the Chimney Rock Trail. Arriving at 4:45PM, we knew that sunset…

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Glen Canyon Dam

You can’t miss the Glen Canyon Dam driving through Northern Arizona on Highway 89 heading towards Utah. The Glen Canyon Dam harnesses water in the Colorado River in order to provide a steady water supply to a desert region.

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Papago Park in Phoenix

Papago Park in Phoenix is near the Phoenix Zoo and the Botanical Gardens. Trail 2 goes around the golf course and has  9 Fitbit Flights.

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The White Tank Mountains

Moon at White Tank Mountains

Hats off the Waterfall Trail and its well-protected petroglyphs! The White Tank Mountains are to the west of Phoenix. We have hiked on many trails, but far and away our favorite is the Waterfall Trail. The trail is short and easy, and a large part of it is concrete and accessible to strollers and wheelchairs.…

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