As I was climbing up a second set of rocks in my flat Star Wars shoes, I had to ask again... "Did we really take the easier of the two trails?" Not saying that I'm a fantastic hiker, but I thought I could hold my own on a moderate trail. I guess this proved me wrong! The other side is supposed to be more strenuous and only for the more advanced climbers.
We opted to go at sunrise as I wanted to catch of one of those gorgeous Arizona views during our walk. Located near a residential area, parking can be tricky, even when you arrive early on a weekday morning. As the day progresses, it's a full on process to find a spot to leave your car, so keep that in mind if you think you're going to just stroll on in without any trouble. Because it's not so far off the main road, taking an Uber may be a more convenient way to head out there.
The trail is clearly marked and where you have to go is indicated with quite a few signs. There are a few points where it gets rocky (pun intended), but just follow the blue dots spray painted along the way to ensure you're taking the correct path. There are a lot of great lookout points at various points that give spectacular views of either side of the mountain.
I didn't understand why people couldn't bring their dogs on this trail until we got about a quarter of the way up. Some of the trail becomes quite steep and narrow, so it's probably safest not to have your four-legged friend on this one.
Be courteous along the way and let people pass if things get too tight!
What you should bring:
- Real hiking shoes + lots of water
What you shouldn't bring:
- Your favorite Star Wars slip-ons
I'd love to come back and take it on again... with proper footwear that is!