Viewing posts about Mcdowell.

Basic Rock Climbing Class

Last month I took a two-week course on rock climbing, offered by the Arizona Mountaineering Club, which covered everything from basic knots to self-rescue techniques. It was an experience that, after some initially doubts, was something I ultimately enjoyed and would recommend. And yes, this was my…

  • Category Personal
  • Posted November 4, 2017
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Taliesin Overlook of the McDowells

Chris and Mya leading on the trail

The drive up to Lost Dog Wash Trailhead is around an hour from my house - a bit on the long side when you have two impatient sons squirming in the back of the van. We survived the drive with minimal issues, though, and pulled into the parking lot just before Chris. Preparation took some time, as it…

  • Category Hiking
  • Posted March 11, 2016
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Along the Bell - Windgate Loop

The long stretch of Scottsdale mountains

Chris and I met Kirsty at a small dirt parking lot off of Bell Road in Scottsdale. It wasn't terribly early, maybe thirty minutes before the sunrise, and the morning light was just starting to lighten the cloudy sky. There was a decent chance of rain today which worried all of us. There are few…

  • Category Hiking
  • Posted March 31, 2015
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Gateway Loop on McDowell

Gateway Mountain and trail

Noah and I pulled into the well maintained parking lot a bit frazzled. It had been a long drive to get here, longer than he was used to, and the little guy was rearing to get out. We were north of Scottsdale and almost a full hour away from our house. I hoped it would be worth the drive. Today was…

  • Category Hiking
  • Posted March 8, 2015
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Hot Hike to Tom's Thumb

Our destination, the distant little thumb

For several hikes now Chris had made the drive down the 101 to meet up with me. It's not a long drive from his place up in Scottsdale, maybe thirty miles to our usual meeting spot in Gilbert, though rush hour can double or triple travel time. To balance things out we decided to aim for a hike closer…

  • Category Hiking
  • Posted December 23, 2014
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  • Read 'Salem's Lot by Stephen King.
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