rev:text
| - I may not be a poet like Bonnie, but I agree with her that Apache Wash Trailhead is an awesome hike just outside of town. There may not be tall mountains like Piestewa or Camelback, but the wide-open vistas of Apache Wash are what makes it special. There is barely a house or building in site.
Apache Wash is a brand new trailhead with a large parking lot with room for horse trailers. However, there is no running water facilities or potable water. A cool spot right a the beginning of the trail is a mural on the ground that points out all prominent landmarks on the horizon(Camelback, Piestewa, Four Peaks etc). The trail is great for hiking, running, mountain biking, and horseback riding.
I regularly use the trails at Apache Wash for running with my dog. If you see a yellow lab running on the trail, roughly 50lbs, wearing a red bandana... Thats my Pup! There are two loop options available, a shorter roughly 2 mile loop with moderate elevation change, and a longer roughly 5 mile loop with greater elevation. So basically turn right and you will take an easier route up the smaller hill, or turn left and take a more difficult route up the bigger hill. The trails are shaped like a figure eight and the actual "wash" part is the trail running between the two hills.
I have personally never seen any Javalina, coyote, snakes or any other wildlife at Apache Wash. But the trails are just far enough away from civilization that I know they must live out there.
NOTE:
Please enjoy our dessert environments responsibly. Bring plenty of water and sun protection. There are literally thousands of Cholla Cacti out there so if you bring your pets make sure to have a comb with you. A comb is the best means of removing cactus needles without sticking yourself or causing more pain to your animal.
Next time I'm out there I will post useful pictures of trail map and directional posts.
|