Saturday, Dec. 13th delivered the kind of morning that makes you grateful you set an alarm.

The Arrowhead Hiking Club met at the Desert Hills Trailhead in the Sonoran Preserve north of Phoenix, and from the first few steps it felt like we’d wandered into a quiet pocket of wilderness that didn’t quite belong so close to a major metro area.

We started out heading north on the Hawks Nest Trail—an easy, welcoming stretch that lets everyone find their pace and settle into that steady hiking rhythm. The air had that crisp, clean edge you only get in the desert in the morning, when the sun is still low and the shadows are long. The light was pure gold, catching every spine and thorn and turning the landscape into a soft glow of silhouettes and sparkle.

After about a mile, we turned east and continued toward the Dixie Mountain trail loop. The route unfolds in a way that keeps it interesting: gentle rises, subtle turns, and views that open and close like curtains. You’d look back and see the trail ribboning behind us, then glance ahead and realize the desert was leading us onward—quiet, wide, and patient.

At the fork, we chose the south option onto Valle Vista Trail. That decision felt like stepping deeper into the preserve’s “hidden room.” The Sonoran can be rugged and dramatic, but on this morning it wore its softer side—lush and surprisingly green. Recent moisture (and perfect timing) had worked its magic: grasses stood tall and fresh, and the groundcover looked alive and bright, as if the desert had decided to show off. The cholla, always impressive, was especially striking in the backlight—each segment rimmed in light, every spine glowing like fiber optics.

From Valle Vista we continued down to the Desert Tortoise Trail and turned west. This stretch is where the hike really earns its “newsletter-worthy” label. The scenery feels remote—so much so that it’s honestly hard to believe you’re anywhere near a city of five million people. There are moments out there when the hush settles in and the only sounds are boots on gravel, the occasional breeze in the brush, and the soft conversations of friends sharing the trail. It’s the kind of quiet that resets your whole system.

Learn more about this trail here.

The Arrowhead Hiking Club is an opportunity to get outside and explore the beautiful trails of the Northwest Valley, together with your neighbors and fellow outdoor enthusiasts.

Whether you’re a seasoned backpacker or planning your very first hike, this club is for everyone, no matter what part of the Valley you live in. Our goal is to make hiking fun, social, and accessible for all skill levels.

We organize regular group hikes around Glendale, Peoria, and the surrounding desert foothills, with a focus on enjoying nature, staying active, and building community connections.