As you may or may not know, my Mom teaches fitness classes at the Glendale Foothills Aquatic Center. Every once in a while, she gets the class outside to enjoy this great place we live. With all the winter rain, the wildflowers are popping, and we all met up at the Apache Wash trailhead at 1600 E. Sonoran Desert Drive.
The parking lot is huge and is free. We always try to get close to the human restrooms so Mom can visit it before we hike. This is where we met Mom’s class.
Most of the folks were from Glendale and this was a new spot for them. I’ve been countless times but never tire of the expansive views. About ten humans and me began hiking the Sidewinder Trail. From the restrooms, you go straight at the first intersection. This trail loops around the mountain and is easy, although it does have rocks. We live in the desert, after all.
We immediately noticed how green the desert has gotten, and when we looked around, we saw the snow-
capped peaks. Wow – Phoenix got snow! I came from snow country in Colorado, and me and my family head north in search of it during the winter, but it doesn’t happen too often down low in the city. It was breathtaking! Everywhere we turned, the mountains were covered in the white stuff.
I always go slow on the first section due to the high volume of Pee-Mail. I must read every message and respond back to as many as I can. This drives mom nuts, but she is patient. This gave others time to take photos. You are welcome.
Once we made our way up and around, I started to pick up my pace. We weren’t in a hurry, though, and we took it all in. Once the extreme heat of the summer arrives, the flowers will wither and die. Mom just loves all the colors: yellows, oranges, reds, and purples. With our forecast calling for sunny and warm days this week, the flowers will be even happier and plentiful.
As you come around to the other side of the hill, you will see a sign for the AV trail. This takes you up to the top and back down. We skipped it today and head toward the right. This section shows you the Apache Wash, and it did have water in it. The lower AW trail crosses it numerous times, so you wouldn’t want to hike it after it has rained.
From here it is all downhill or flat. When you come to the super-sized 
Saguaro intersection, you take a left. As long as you keep your eye on the hill (always on your left), you will be fine. I really picked up speed now as I knew we weren’t too far from the car. One more left at the next intersection, and you are about done.
Everyone did great, and we clocked in at two miles. If we would have climbed to the top of the vista, it would be three miles round trip. With our stops for photos, it was about an hour and ten minutes.
This will be one of the most spectacular wildflower seasons we have ever seen here in the valley, so we encourage you to get outside. To the Forever Fit class (and some from yoga), I enjoyed meeting you! I hope we meet again.
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!
Ginger Stahl says
Bet you loved hiking with the ladies, Kuma. Hope they like your sense of humor as much as I do.