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| - Christmas week takes it's toll on me, calorically speaking. Not only are we celebrating Christmas but 2 days later, there's a birthday and then 3 days later there's a wedding anniversary. To work some of that off, the family decided to hike the Phoenix Preserve. There are so many trails and forks leading to other trails that you can customize your hike on the go. We like to park at the 32nd Street trailhead, but depending on if you can catch the first wave of hikers returning and then driving out, it usually saves time to just park at the strip mall on the southwest corner of 32nd and Lincoln and start the hike from there. Stretch your legs and you can be all warmed up by the time you're at the trailhead. We usually take 8A to 8B and then go up 8 and back down 8A. It's about a 4.5 mile loop with some ascents that never seem to end, but as long as you keep putting one foot in front of the other and don't look up, you'll get there before you know it. Take some water and some hiking poles and you're in for a peaceful yet energetic 2 hours. Take in the views and check out the desert surroundings. You may run into a mountain biker and some trail runners, family groups, girlfriends, seniors, tourists, but these are the friendliest hikers around. This time we encountered a group of goldendoodle owners and their brood of a half dozen. Stay on the trails and yield to those going up. A great activity to begin the New Year!
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