Reasons why this is my favorite place to hike:
1. Free parking - plenty to go around. No entry fee. Note: it gets pretty busy on the weekends.
2. Pet friendly. Get exercise with your dog/cat. They must be on leashes.
3. The trails are kept very tidy. The majority of people pick up after their pets. If you forget your waste bags, there are some located at the base of the mountain for your convenience.
4. The paths are clear of nearby cacti that your children or pets might run in to. Phew!
5. There is an amphitheater with wide steps, which is a fantastic place to either walk/jog up and down the stairs to work out that bootay.
6. The hikes are relatively easy, making it great for families with children to go on a mini hike. Nothing too strenuous that requires rock climbing.
7. Once you're at the top, the view of the city is amazing. You can catch some hot air balloon launches that happen quite often.
8. At the end of the day, hiking is good for your heart. Do it!
My favorite is the sunrise trail, a 2-mile hike that starts near the amphitheater. The sign states moderate difficulty, but it was pretty easy in my opinion. There are no steep inclines. The trail will take you to one side of the mountain, and you can descend on the opposite side of the mountain for a change of scenery. Just be careful since there are a lot of rocks that can cause slipping. I highly recommend going on the sunrise trail for a quick hike with a rewarding view at the top. Remember to apply plenty of sunscreen and bring water. Hike on!