I love Piestewa Peak. I was athletically in my prime in the 1990s and tried to max out my speed when I was in graduate school at ASU. I had a 1993 Ford Ranger and jammed out to Nirvana, Sting, Seal, and Soundgarden while driving to the trail head. At my prime in 1998, I ran up in 18 min and 19 sec. This was great for me, a football player (former lineman). But it was slow by the standards of my friends on the Zuni Reservation in NM. I was able to run to the bench about 2/3 up without stopping. On a "slow" day I would go up in about 19 min. But I lost my mountain running acumen when I moved to FL in 2002. The job market died out west, so I had to relocate. Then in 2005 I injured my left knee, and then my left calf in 2012. Now, as an aging Generation X guy I am about 70% of what I had been back then. Aging catches up to everyone eventually. But I still enjoy an occasional hike. I just go casually with a backpack and sports drink and just try to make it in about a half an hour (give or take a few minutes). I still enjoy the view at the top and the feeling of a good workout. Just beware of snakes and the occasional Gila Monster. At night about a year ago, I fell about 1/2 way up. I had a flashlight and was coming down but bought these new boots I had not broken in. I lost my balance and rolled a few yards. I broke my fall but scraped my left leg badly. It was embedded with many sticker thorns - very painful for about a week. Eventually, I recovered. Be careful up there! Even experienced hikers can have accidents. This time of year a heat stroke is a very real possibility. It's usually best to go early in the morning in the summer. Or just drive north to Flagstaff which has nice parks for hiking within the city limits. Or Mt. Humphrey is there for a summer challenge in cooler weather (still hard though due to altitude).
@renohiker Жыл бұрын
On our way to Phoenix and planning some sunrise hikes and considering this one. Thanks for sharing. Cheers! 🥂
@LauraLeanne Жыл бұрын
Have a great time!
@earlofrednecks95334 жыл бұрын
I just moved to the Phoenix area and was looking for some nice local hikes when I came up on your channel. Looks pretty neat up there. I hope to give it a try soon, thanks!
@earlofrednecks95333 жыл бұрын
@John Thomas, WA State, within the greater Seattle area. The weather has been a bit brutal here lately and I really miss the trees although so far, I think the people here are quite a bit more friendly.
@austinchiropractor5124 жыл бұрын
Love this video. Thanks for bringing us with you.
@BrianYochem3 жыл бұрын
I miss being able to hike here. Thanks for bringing back some memories :)
@azclaimjumper2 жыл бұрын
I've hiked Camelback from both trailheads numerous times & twice I've hiked round trip from Echo Canyon to Cholla TH & back to Echo Canyon + I've hiked Squaw Peak numerous times. However, I prefer hiking the numerous other trail in the Phoenix Mtn Park because they are less traveled than Squaw Peak. Now I want to watch your Flatiron video, a hike I've done numerous times.
@LauraLeanne2 жыл бұрын
Flatiron is always one of my favorites. It's always a little farther of a drive but love the vertical of it!
@cclark80044 жыл бұрын
Great hike and thanks for taking me along. I’m not going to make it to Casa Grande this season ... and am missing the weather and beautiful scenery there.
@harpersjourney74684 жыл бұрын
Nice video! I love this mountain as well!! Beautiful!
@MNRick041 Жыл бұрын
I am visiting Phoenix, I planned on doing Camelback (Echo Canyon) so I did that my first full day here. The concierge at my hotel told me about Piestewa so I did that o my 2nd day, loved it so much I did it again on my 3rd day. Camelback and Piestewa are both rated as very difficult, but in my opinion Piestewa is significantly easier. Camelback is a challenge while Piestewa is a nice hike. There are 2 peaks, the one most people seem to go to is fairly easy to get up on while the taller one takes some climbing to get up. Getting down off the taller peak is more of a challenge and certainly not for everyone. If you are not sure about your ability to safely climb down then I wouldn't climb up there, just stick to the shorter peak, they both have beautiful views. I made it to the summit in 47 minutes and that was with a few short breaks. This is in December with Temps in the 60s
@LauraLeanne Жыл бұрын
Awesome job!!! That's quick! They are great mountains for sure!
@JoelManers4 жыл бұрын
Nice trail but way too crowded for me
@NickandRachel4 жыл бұрын
The mountain range look so different than the ones here I'd love to go there one day
@opheliavalentine60584 жыл бұрын
Where is “here”? I love listening/hearing to people’s perspectives on the Phoenix landscapes.
@NickandRachel4 жыл бұрын
@@opheliavalentine6058 I was referring to the North Georgia Mountains that's where I do most of my hiking videos
@mattlocks4 жыл бұрын
My favorite hike
@layahit4 жыл бұрын
I hike Squaw Peak every other day now for as much as I can and as fast as I can every day from here on out! I was at it every day but unfortunately I need at least one day brake but I want this everyday
@HikingAZ2 жыл бұрын
Id argue the Flatiron is the best hike in Phoenix :)
@LauraLeanne2 жыл бұрын
I do love flatiron!
@HikingAZ2 жыл бұрын
@@LauraLeanne I hope to hike it this winter if it gets snow up top again. Ive seen pictures and it looks gorgeous !
@HikerJoe4 жыл бұрын
I really really have to make it out west... landscape is so different out there.
@1nvd4 жыл бұрын
It’s made for you Joe
@cleto34sho4 жыл бұрын
Nice
@engot09094 жыл бұрын
Did you hike by yourself? You’re such a brave woman for hiking alone.
@mysteriousbootyhead20834 жыл бұрын
I'm trying to decide to go to flagstaff or Phoenix to run
@haileyaichele39753 жыл бұрын
What camera setup are you using? I see your gimbal curious about your camera?
@LauraLeanne3 жыл бұрын
I actually just had a regular phone (which wasn't a nice one! 😂) On the gimble. I hope that helps!
@OntarioHikingTrails4 жыл бұрын
Really nice hiking trail. Do you ever come to Ontario
@emmatrap74433 жыл бұрын
Hey I don’t know if u still see these comments but I’m planning on going here in November and was wondering what the temperature was like for clothes and such 🙏
@LauraLeanne3 жыл бұрын
It'll partly depend where youre coming from. I tshirt and leggings in November is normally my go to :)
@Taycore93 жыл бұрын
I'm visiting for a day and plan to do this hike. How long does it take to summit for a pretty athletic guy? This mountain looks beautiful!
@LauraLeanne3 жыл бұрын
About 1.5 hours up!
@Taycore93 жыл бұрын
@@LauraLeanne Thank you Laura! I've already done Camelback Mountain last time I was here in Arizona but this mountain looks fun too! I cant wait to do this tomorrow!
@Taycore93 жыл бұрын
This hike was AWESOME!
@LauraLeanne3 жыл бұрын
@@Taycore9 oh my goodness. I'm happy about your feedback! Was it packed or not as bad since it's a weekday? Honestly my favorite in the city.
@Taycore93 жыл бұрын
@@LauraLeanne No it wasnt packed at all! I went bright and early to catch the sunrise at the summit. It took around 40 minutes to the top.
@Iseekoutthetruth4 жыл бұрын
Do you ever see any Crested Saguaros on your hikes?
@7wt4 жыл бұрын
Iseekoutthetruth There are a handful in the McDowells near Granite Mountain.
@Kirbhund4 жыл бұрын
Is this hike any easier than Camelback?
@opheliavalentine60584 жыл бұрын
It is. Camelback has two trails. The one she did was the cholla trail which is a little more difficult than piestewa peak but the echo canyon trail is considered to be very difficult. Piestewa is the easiest of the three
@Kirbhund4 жыл бұрын
@@opheliavalentine6058 Thanks so much. Any sheer cliff drops right near the trail?
@simonsayshi Жыл бұрын
It’s a ok hike, nothing special . I’d put south mountain trails over this for sure
@LauraLeanne Жыл бұрын
Interesting! Thanks for your input. I think I like that final summit feeling is why over south mountain but south is great too!