Hard to believe it is February with all of the daily record high temps, but it is what it is. I hope you’re taking advantage of the nice weather and spending some time on the trail.

Wildflower season is beginning and I’m seeing beautiful pictures on socials. Have you been out to hike amongst the wildflowers yet? If you have, please share where you have found them. 🙏 🌼

In this week’s edition:

Thank you for being here, see you out there! 🙏

Grand Canyon National Park officials say the North Rim is on track to reopen for the summer 2026 season after being closed due to infrastructure damage and access issues. The reopening will restore access to one of the park’s most remote and cooler areas, offering hikers and visitors a quieter alternative to the South Rim at Grand Canyon National Park.

The park will be reopened on May 15, 2026. (link)

A man is in extremely critical condition after being rescued from Camelback Mountain, one of the most challenging and heavily trafficked hikes in the Valley. Officials say the incident highlights how quickly conditions can turn dangerous on steep desert trails, even for experienced hikers. (link)

A lost hiker suffering from hypothermia was rescued near a remote southern Arizona ghost town after search crews located them in cold, dangerous conditions. Authorities say the incident is a reminder that even Arizona hikes can turn life threatening quickly without proper planning, weather awareness, and emergency gear. (link)

Search crews are continuing efforts to locate a missing man from Marana, with authorities asking the public to remain alert and report any tips. Officials say terrain, weather, and time are critical factors as the search moves forward in the surrounding desert areas. (link)

I promise I’m not being paid to promote Lost Dutchman, lol. It is one of the closest State Parks to the Valley, and they put on a ton of great events each week.

See all of the events available at Lost Dutchman State Park, including many guided hikes.

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.

Join a City of Scottsdale historian on anther storytelling hike about influential Arizonans such as Mr. Scottsdale, a supreme court justice, the godfather of shock rock, the snake lady, the first female state senator and suffragette, and an Indian/non-Indian artist. All six have interesting tales behind their local or state history. (link)

Thursday, February 12, 10-12pm at the Fraesfield Trailhead. Learn more about the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy.

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Join the Arizona Humanities presentation What the River Knows on February 18th in Phoenix, an engaging talk that explores how rivers shaped Arizona’s landscapes, communities, and history long before modern development. This indoor, educational event is a great complement to hiking the Valley’s washes and river corridors, offering deeper context on the waterways we often cross on the trail. (link)

Cardinals Climb is a hikiking event that brings the community together to raise funds for local causes. The event welcomes hikers of all levels and provides an opportunity to experience a very unique ‘hike’ which takes place inside State Farm Stadium. Saturday, February 21st.

Learn more or register at CardinalsClimb.com

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, February 28th, 2026 at their store in Phoenix and is just $50. (link)

The trails here in Phoenix are pretty busy, and survival skills are not something you’ll need on most days, but if you venture out into the backcountry and would like to have some basic survival skills the Arizona Hiking Shack in Phoenix is offering a wilderness survival class.

How to prepare for, avoid, and survive emergencies. Self-Reliance Basics for the Backcountry. This course covers the internationally recognized principles and protocols for managing emergencies in the backcountry.

This class is being held on Wednesday, February 25th at their store in Phoenix and is just $35. (link)

Arizona Hiking Shack offers hands on classes that cover the basics of gear, packing, trip planning, safety, and comfort on the trail. These small group sessions are perfect for new backpackers or anyone who wants to feel more confident before heading out on an overnight adventure.

Join the Arrowhead Hiking Club for a Saturday morning hike at Phoenix Mountains Preserve, one of the Valley’s most scenic urban trail systems. This group hike is a great way to get outside, enjoy desert views, and explore classic Phoenix terrain with fellow local hikers.

Saturday, February 28th at 9am. See all the details at ArrowheadHikingClub.com

Last week, the Arrowhead Hiking Club laced up and headed out to Deem Hills Recreation Area in Phoenix for a loop hike that delivered exactly what we were hoping for: clean desert air, a solid little climb, and those wide-open valley views that make you pause mid-sentence and just… look. See the full hike write up here.

I had to be in Mesa last Friday, felt like spending some time in Lost Dutchman State Park for sunset & moonrise was a good idea. See the hike details here.

I found this book at an estate sale recently and it has been a very interesting read so far. It got me thinking about other books on the history of Arizona, and if there were some with a hiking theme. I did some googling and there were a lot of choices and recommendations, and I put together a list of five that appealed to me.See which books I found here.

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