Both mom and dad are doing better now, but they still get more tired than usual. I’m grateful to be back outside on adventures! Believe it or not, we have lived here over six years, and we have yet to hike at the Peoria Regional Preserve. How is that possible? I don’t know, but we remedied it!
We chose the E Wing Mountain Trail in Peoria, AZ 85383. You can plug that into your GPS or go West on Happy Valley Road until you come to Pyramid Peak and turn right. Take a right onto Miner, and you will see the Sonoran Ranch Park on your left and a sign that reads “E Wing Mountain Trail parking.” It’s free and plentiful, and it has human restrooms.
Now, the trail isn’t here. You have to walk from there on Chalfen up the hill toward the gated community. On your left before you get to the gate, you will see the big trail sign. From here, it is a 2.1-mile loop that All Trails rates as easy, but here’s the catch: it’s easy until you get to the loop. From there, it is actually rated difficult! So, you could do a ¾ mile out and back that is easy or sign up for a challenging but beautiful hike for a total of 2.1 miles.
The trail begins in a neighborhood with huge houses. It is neat to meander through an area we hadn’t been 
before. It starts off flat, and the trail is well maintained and easy to follow. Once you get out of the homes, you will start to hike up, but it isn’t steep. Soon you will come to the intersection of the loop or East Mountain. It is here you either turn back or turn right to climb up the rocky mountain.
And wholly smokes, is it rocky! I love bouldering, but this was a challenge. The rocks are rough on doggy paws, which we didn’t expect. Little dogs would have difficulty going up the big rocks. The trail is more following boulders and rocks at this point, although it is still easy to follow.
The good news is there was hardly anyone out on the trail, so we could take our time. Mom was getting dizzy from her COVID brain and low blood pressure. We were just hoping she wouldn’t fall of the edge!
It’s a good ¾ of a mile up to the top, and as you climb, you get some beautiful views. At one point, we saw the cranes for the chip manufacturing plant and just past them Tramonto where we live. On a clear day like this, you truly can see for miles and miles! We were grateful it wasn’t windy.
We made it to the top huffing and puffing, but we did it! We took our token pictures, and continued following the trail. It goes on the backside now and down the other side. It is just as steep, so going down was work.
The trail brings you back to the intersection, and you then follow the same trail back to the parking lot. It’s all down hill from there, but the rocks are loose with gravel and dirt, so be careful. Most people injure themselves on the way down or closer to the car when they let their guard down.
I was proud of dad. He did good! Mom had a most excellent idea of getting some lunch. We headed east on Happy Valley past I-17 to the Norterra Shopping Center and went to Shane’s Rib Shack, some of the best BBQ you will ever have. We lived in Texas, so we know BBQ! Their food is superb and their service even better. Mom gave me my own rib to chomp on. Oh-so-good!
By the time we got home, mom and dad were fizzling out. I have to say I was ready for a nap, too. Mowgli greeted us, and we all rested. Life is very good my friends. Hope you are doing great and staying healthy.
My mom, Lorraine Bossé-Smith, is kind enough to help me share my Great Adventures, big and small. My mom is a motivational speaker, corporate trainer, executive recruiter, business consultant, coach, fitness expert, and author of nine published books. More importantly, she’s the best doggy mom ever!
Enjoy my blog at https://www.lorrainebosse-smith.com/category/kuma/kumas-great-adventures/
and be sure to follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Kumathedog/ and Instagram: kumaitothedog
Get outside! You never know what you’ll discover, and our paths just might cross. Happy tails!
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