We’re already getting a taste of summer here in the Valley, and the trails are reminding people fast who’s in charge. While big news is brewing down south with Chiricahua National Monument one step closer to becoming a national park, closer to home we’re seeing a spike in hiker rescues as the heat ramps up. If you’re still getting out there, now’s the time to be extra prepared, so you make it back home without a helicopter ride!

In this week’s edition:

Thank you for being here, see you on the trails! 🙏

The push to turn Chiricahua National Monument into a full national park just cleared a major hurdle, passing the House and now heading to the Senate. If approved, this would officially elevate one of Arizona’s most underrated hiking destinations and likely bring a surge of new visitors. It’s a good reminder to get out there now while it still feels like a hidden gem. (link)

A dramatic air rescue near Mooney Falls inside Grand Canyon National Park is highlighting just how quickly things can go wrong on the trail. Crews had to hoist an injured hiker to safety from the remote waterfall area, underscoring the importance of preparation, hydration, and knowing your limits. As temps rise, even bucket-list hikes can turn dangerous fast. (link)

It was also a very busy past couple weeks for mountain rescues in and around the Phoenix Metro area. Please be mindful as you head out onto the trails now that temperatures are in the 90’s & 100’s.

Rattlesnake bites are already spiking across Arizona this spring, and health officials say many are happening in “blind spots” like under bushes, around rocks, or in cluttered yards where people can’t clearly see where they’re placing their hands or feet. Experts warn that unseasonably warm weather is bringing snakes out earlier than usual, so hikers and homeowners alike should stay alert and watch where they step. (link)

Papago Park does not feel like your typical hiking destination. With its red sandstone buttes, wide open desert, and easy access from the city, it is one of the most recognizable landscapes in Phoenix.

But unlike other preserved mountain areas, Papago’s story is not just about hiking.

It is about how one piece of desert land was nearly pulled in multiple directions before becoming the shared public space it is today.

This is a series articles about the history of our trails here in the Phoenix area. Learn more about Papago Park in the fourth article of this series.

If you hike enough around Phoenix or anywhere in Arizona, you’ve seen them. Small stacks of rocks balanced on top of each other, sitting just off the trail or scattered across open desert. They might look harmless, even artistic. But those rock cairns are one of the most misunderstood things you’ll find on a hike.

And here’s the reality: in most cases, they shouldn’t be there at all.

See the full article here.

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How to find your way, find where you are and find the way to help in an emergency! You will learn and understand all the basics of map & compass use for backcountry navigation.

This class is being held on Saturday, April 4, 2026 at their store in Phoenix and is just $50. (link)

Learn about the amazing and diverse wildlife of the Sonoran Desert on this guided hike with Arizona State Park volunteers Lisa and Abi. This will be an easy, 1-mile, out-and-back hike with little elevation gain and some loose, steep terrain in parts. The hike will be about an hour at a social pace, as we stop to observe interpretive signs and discuss interesting facts about wildlife.

This event is part of Outdoors250, a celebration of America’s 250th anniversary and Arizona’s natural heritage. By participating in this event, you can enter to win Outdoors250 prizes by signing up at AZStateParks.com/Outdoors250.

March 31st, at 9am

The Arizona State Parks host a variety of different events at its many parks. If you’re looking for something to do, check out their website for upcoming events.

Looking for a way to give back to Arizona’s trails and waterways? Volunteers are invited to the Day After Easter Lower Salt River Land & Water Cleanup, where participants will help remove trash along the riverbanks and from the water while enjoying one of the Valley’s most scenic outdoor areas. It’s a great chance to protect the Salt River while spending a morning outdoors with fellow hikers and paddlers.

Join us the day after Easter, Monday, April 6th, for a Lower Salt River Land & Water Cleanup! Recreation sites along the river get trashed over the Easter Holiday Weekend & we want to remove the trash as quickly as possible so that it doesn't end up in the river or hurting wildlife. Make an immediate, visible impact with us! Everyone is welcome!

Spend the morning with us exploring the riverbanks & trails along the Lower Salt River, removing scattered trash along the way, or bring your paddle board or kayak to help us pick up trash volunteers on foot cannot reach. We'll be picking up plastic Easter eggs & Easter basket grass, picnic trash, beer bottles, clothing, towels, shoes, & other debris left behind.

See all the details here

Saturday, April 11th, start your hike between 8-10am in North Peoria. (link)

Join Billy’s Place for our annual HIKE FOR HOPE: Making Space for Grief—a morning to walk under the Arizona sky, honor your special person, and support kids and families who are grieving. This year’s theme reminds us that even in the wide expanse of grief, there’s always space for healing, connection, and HOPE. Whether you hike in memory of a loved one or sign up to show your support for others, every step helps create a community filled with comfort, love, and light.

Another amazing image captured by Bruce Donaldson near his home in Arrowhead Ranch in Glendale, Arizona.

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