Monday, September 25, 2017

Merkle Trail

Merkle Trail -Usery Regional Park
 
Location: 3939 N Usery Pass Rd, Mesa, AZ 85207
 
Distance: 1 mile
 
Kid Friendly: Yes! Even for toddlers. There is a couple playgrounds in the park for kids to play on after a little hiking.
 
Park Fees: $6 per car
 
 
 
 
 

Saturday, September 23, 2017

Wednesday, February 22, 2017


Boulder Canyon
 
Directions: Canyon Lake Marina and 88 - Park in the Canyon Lake Marina and cross the highway to the trail.
 
Parking Fee: No
 
Kid Friendly: I took my 15, 10, 8, and 4 year old on this hike. I ended up carrying my 4 year old because it was cold and windy. My other 3 hiked it just fine.
 
I only did 1.5 miles of this trail. I'm anxious to do more! The view of Canyon Lake made the trail.
 
 

Monday, January 30, 2017

Dutchman's Trail from First Water

Dutchman's Trail
 
Location: First Water and 88 - park in the parking lot at the end of the dirt road - 3miles in.
 
Distance: 18 miles (from First Water to Peralta) 9 miles (if done in a loop with Black Mesa and Second water trails) Any length you want if you just go out and back.
Kid Friendly: Yes
Parking Fee: No
 
 I have only done about 2.5 miles of this trail. I haven't had a chance to do a 9 mile loop so I just hike until I feel like or run out of time and turn around. 
 


Massacre Falls

Massacre Falls Trail
Location: First Water Road - 1/2 mile in at Jacob's Crosscut/Massacre Ground parking lot
Distance: About 3 miles each way
Big Kid Friendly: Yes - not tough just a little long
Parking Fee: None
 
 

 
This was a fun hike. It is so beautiful! Recommend doing this hike after rain so the water fall it flowing. 


Friday, December 16, 2016

Broadway Cave

Broadway Cave
Location: Mountain View and Broadway Rd.
(Right where Broadway Rd ends at the Superstitions)
Distance: 4 miles - out and back
Big Kid Friendly: It is pretty steep in sections but most bigger in shape kids could do it. 
Directions:
Parking Fee: No

Hiking hints: Park at the 6 car parking lot. The trail starts there. You are actually starting on the Jacob's Crosscut trail.  You will go ...

Upper Antelope Canyon

Location: Page, AZ
Distance: 1/2 mile
Kid Friendly: Yes!
Family time is hard to get when life is so busy! We decided to get out of town and enjoy the longer weekend.  I am so glad we did because we created so many memories.  One being Upper Antelope Canyon.  What an amazing canyon!  It is amazing what water can do in carving rocks.  This canyon is every bit as beautiful as in the pictures. 

To visit Antelope Canyon you must be with a tour guide as the canyon is on the Navajo Nation. The canyon is divided into two parts Upper and Lower. We visited the Upper but I would love to do the Lower someday.  We booked our tour through Navajo Tours and were very happy with our tour and guide. 

The cost was $40 for adults and $20 for children with an $8 cash fee per person for the Navajo Parks Fee.  This seemed to be mid range price for the tours - some more expensive some cheaper.  I did get my reservations a few months ahead of time but you can show up the day of if they have openings. I would recommend reservations.  You do not have to pay until you take the tour. 

We drove up to Page the night before and stayed in a hotel.  Our tour time was at 10am but they asked us to be there an hour before to check in.  It was a 5 minute drive from our hotel to the tour check-in.  I did learn that the earlier morning tours and off season is less busy.  We happened to be there for both.  Spring and Summer are peak seasons because of the lighting in the canyon. We were the first to check in for our tour time so we got the first truck that left to the 5 minute drive to the canyon. 

I wish I had a picture of the 15 passenger van that was lifted and had huge off road tires.  This was our vehicle and our tour guides name was Jazz.  She was a great tour guide.  Interesting for the younger kids, had great photo tips for us and our older kids, and was very knowledgeable about the Canyon.  She didn't need to entertain though because the Canyon was amazing enough to keep our attention.

With it being off season and we were the first in the canyon we did get to be alone in the canyon a few times.  On our way out it was pretty busy.  The total hike through the canyon is only a 1/2 mile.  It is a very easy hike, no climbing, and would work for most people.  I believe the Lower has a little climbing.