Explore the Outdoors

CAMELBACK MOUNTAIN

With the temperature cooling off nd the abundant days of sunshine and blue skies, November is a perfect month to explore the outdoors. Whether you prefer wandering around a garden, hiking a mountain, floating down a river, or enjoying a park, there is plenty to see and do.

WANDER

In Phoenix, set amongst the red rocks of Papago Buttes on 55 acres, is the Desert Botanical Garden (1201 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix; www.dbg.org). The Garden is accredited by the American Association of Museums, voted a “Phoenix Point of Pride,” and, in 2005, named one of “Arizona’s Treasures.” Here guests will find more than 50,000 cacti, trees, and flowers from around the world, including 485 species that are rare and endangered. Stroll through towering cacti, alluring succulents, and stunning wildflowers.

There are five themed trails to explore—the Desert Discovery Loop Trail, which showcases desert plants from around the world; the Plants & People of the Sonoran Desert Loop Trail, which explores the use of desert plants for nourishment, cultural activities, and tools; the Sonoran Desert Nature Loop Trail, which illustrates the relationship between desert plants and animals; the Center for Desert Living Loop Trail, where ideas and strategies for sustainable ways to live with nature are displayed; and the Harriet K. Maxwell Desert Wildflower Loop Trail, where desert wildflowers are showcased. While Desert Botanical Garden is perfect for exploring some of the desert’s flora, the Japanese Friendship Garden of Phoenix (1125 N. 3rd Ave., Phoenix; www.japanesefriendshipgarden.org) offers an entirely different perspective. This Japanese garden—a joint project between the City of Phoenix and its sister city, Himeji, Japan—is a 3.5-acre destination that features a stroll garden, tea garden, koi pond, waterfall, stone footbridges, and benches where guests can sit and meditate or contemplate.

HIKE

Metro Phoenix is referred to as “The Valley” for good reason—it sits in a Valley, surrounded by mountains. Thus, there are numerous locales to hike around the area.

The most well-known are the two trails that lead to the summit of Camelback Mountain (Echo Canyon trail: McDonald Drive east of Tatum Boulevard, Paradise Valley. Cholla trail: 64th Street and Cholla Lane (north of Camelback Road), Scottsdale. www.phoenix.gov/parks). The iconic mountain—so called because its shape resembles that of a reclining camel—offers challenging hikes, with uneven terrain and steep elevation gains. But those who make it to the summit, which sits 2,704

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: COURTESY EXPERIENCE SCOTTSDALE; COURTESY MCCORMICK-STILLMAN RAILROAD PARK; PHOTO BY JULIA HILL/VISIT PHOENIX; COURTESY MARICOPA COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT. OPPOSITE: COURTESY JAPANESE FRIENDSHIP GARDEN OF PHOENIX

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: INDIAN BEND WASH GREENBELT; MCCORMICK-STILLMAN RAILROAD PARK; PIESTEWA PEAK; LAKE PLEASANT. OPPOSITE: JAPANESE FRIENDSHIP GARDEN OF PHOENIX

feet above sea level, are rewarded with stunning views of the Valley.

Those looking for an easier hike can try Pinnacle Peak (26802 N. 102nd Way, Scottsdale; www.scottsdaleaz.gov/parks), located in North Scottsdale. It offers a trail that is 1.75 miles each way and is considered easy to moderate. Meanwhile, the McDowell Sonoran Preserve (multiple entry points, Scottsdale; www.mcdowellsonoran.org) offers 30,580 acres of preserve via 225 miles of trails. There are seven trailheads, and the trails range from easy with a 0-foot elevation gain, to moderate with a 2,500-foot elevation gain. In Phoenix, Piestewa Peak (multiple entry points, Phoenix; www. phoenix.gov/parks) offers various trails that range from moderate to difficult. The Summit Trail gains an elevation of 1,200 feet and takes hikers to the second highest peak in Phoenix.

FLOAT

If water is more your speed rather than wandering or hiking, there actually is water in the desert. There are several lakes nearby, and while it's not the season for swimming, there are a variety of boats— from pedal boats to kayaks—to be found at Tempe Town Lake (72 W. Rio Salado Pkwy., Tempe; www.boats4rent.com/tempe-az).

The man-made Lake Pleasant (41835 N. Castle Hot Springs Road, Morristown; www.maricopacountyparks.net/park-locator/lake-pleasantregional-park/), which offers more than 100 miles of shoreline, also offers a variety of water sports. Not far from the Valley is Canyon Lake, where guests can take a nature, astronomy, or dinner cruise on The Dolly Steamboat (16802 AZ-88, Tortilla Flat; www.dollysteamboat.com), a replica of a classic American sternwheeler.

PLAY

There are plenty of parks and grassy areas scattered throughout the Valley. In Scottsdale, McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park (7301 E. Indian Bend Road, Scottsdale; www.therailroadpark.com) is a 30-acre park with a large grassy area, two playgrounds, a railroad museum, a carousel, a running train that circles the park, and more. There are plenty of ramadas and picnic tables available. Not far from the park find the Indian Bend Wash Greenbelt (multiple entry points, Scottsdale; www.scottsdaleaz.gov/parks/ greenbelt). This park traverses 11 miles and offers plenty of room for recreational activities or relaxation. Lakes, parks, paths, golf courses and more are perfect for walking, biking, and sports. In Chandler, Veterans Oasis Park (4050 E. Chandler Heights Road, Chandler; www.chandleraz.gov/explore/chandler-parks/guide/ veterans-oasis-park) spans 113 acres and includes a community fishing lake, hiking trails, a playground, pavilions, and more. The Chandler Nature Center is also located here, and is the perfect place to view nature displays.