I truly adore the Phoenix Mountains Preserve. I usually went to Squaw Peak, but after an ankle debacle, I needed something easy to get back in the swing of things. Enter the Preserve, recommended by a coworker.
I drove on over and was happy to see that there were multiple trails to try. I asked a fellow hiker what they thought to be a good trail, and so I took #8. It's nice because it's mostly a scenic hike with a steady incline (mostly). It's very calm and relaxing out there, as there are usually just a few other hikers.
I like being out in nature and this is the place to get it. I highly recommend for anyone who wants to try something other than the usual hustle and bustle of Camelback or Squaw Peak.