Inside the Phoenix city limits lies what is considered the largest municipal park in the US. Who knew? With more than 16,000 acres of wilderness and 51 miles of trails, it is a remarkable find in this land of sprawl. From a distance these mountains blend into the background-- camouflaged by the haze of city smog and possessing minimal greenery. I am told the winter time is the best time to visit, not only for the cooler weather but also for the array of desert flowers in bloom. The views from these mountains are pretty spectacular and it is surprisingly quiet and clean in the park, except for the occasional visitors who do not pick up after their dogs. I also heard that night time is the best time to get a view of the city from above. The day of my visit, this past Saturday, was overcast. This was good for the heat index, but not so great for camera lighting.
I walked along Kiwanis Trail, but because I had limited time, I did not walk all the way to the top. I walked along the lower part of the trail, meditated and a beautiful stone pile and traced my way back to the trailhead. From the advice of a fellow hiker, I decided to drive to the top to get a birdseye view of the city. It was a pleasant and invigorating way to start the day. I reflected on how many more treasures are unacknowledged, but right in front of our eyes. I expressed gratitude for this opportunity. From a social point of view, it was a pleasant surprise to see so many people of color hiking. I hope this can be a part of more urban lifestyles. I am grateful for this special outdoor aspect of Arizona.
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