I’m the worst jinx, but I’m pretty sure summer is behind us. I know October can still be sneaky hot, but these leftover hurricane days & the forecast for the next week are very encouraging. I hope you get a chance to get out and enjoy some trails.

In this week’s edition:

Thank you for being here, have an amazing week! 🙏

I know that I’m just a beginner hiker, and I’ve come across some local hikers who are way more experienced than I am.

My friend Bruce Donaldson is one of the most interesting people I know here in Arizona. He is an amazing photographer, a musician and an avid hiker who has been on hundreds of trails here in our great state.

I’m exciting to have Bruce become a contributor to the newsletter & website, so keep an eye out for some great content & a different perspective than we’ve had in the newsletter so far. Learn more about Bruce here.

Three weeks ago, my son and I decided to head north from Phoenix and get out of the heat for a day, and spend some time on the trails. We decided on the Kinder Crossing Trail, not far from Happy Jack, AZ & north of Strawberry. (link)

Shoes are like tires, they are often overlooked but can be the most important thing on your car, or in your hiking gear.

Are you Team Hiking Boots or Team Trail Runners? See more about which one may be right for you. (link)

I spend a lot of time at the Lake Pleasant & White Tank Mountains Regional Parks. Last winter when I was visting for the second day in a row, a very nice attendant at the gate mentioned that you can purchase a coupon book of five entry passes that can be used at all of the Maricopa County Parks. They are $25 for a book of five, so you can save $2 versus the one-day pass which is $7. Not life changing savings, but $2 is $2 😎

They also offer an annual pass option which is $85.

So if you spend any time in these county parks, this could be a good way to save a few bucks.

Learn more at MaricopaCountyParks.net

Want to hike the Pinnacle Peak trail everyday? Want to live on the actual Pinnacle Peak mountain?

See more about this house in Estancia.

The previous trivia question was ‘Who gave Camelback Mountain its name?’

The answer is: No one knows exactly who came up with the nickname, but it stuck.

The name came about informally in the late 1800s, when early settlers and travelers in the Salt River Valley thought the shape of the mountain resembled the silhouette of a kneeling camel with its hump and head. By the 1870s–1880s, maps and local references were already calling it “Camelback.”

Key points:

The storms a couple weeks ago had us spending an afternoon out in White Tank Mountain Regional Park, and it wasn’t my best moment as a father lol. The storm had passed through, but another wave came up behind it and there was a bit more lightning & thunder than I would have preferred.

We made it out ok, and only had to deal with a little bit of rain.

Are you in the NW Valley? If you are, we started a hiking club that will focus on group hikes in this part of town, and maybe other locations eventually.

We’d love to have you join us, our first hike is Saturday, October 18th at 8am, on the Arrowhead Point Trail. See all the details on Facebook or at ArrowheadHikingClub.com

The internet was supposed to make it easier to build and connect. Somewhere along the way, we lost the plot.

beehiiv is changing that once and for all.

On November 13, they’re unveiling what’s next at their first-ever Winter Release Event. For the people shaping the future of content, community, and media, this is an event you can’t miss.

RSVP today