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| - I hate not giving this park more than 3 stars, it is so beautiful. The rocks and the landscape are amazing. And it has some great hiking trails.
I view the park in 2 "sections": North of Curry and South of Curry (by the Lake).
1) The area North of Curry, by the zoo and botanical gardens is a great place for hiking. Amazing really. There's a lot of poop around first thing in the mornings, but I'm going to give dog owners the benefit of the doubt and instead put the blame on coyotes and foxes, which roam around here.
If you are a visitor to Phoenix, specially for a short visit, do not miss hiking up to the Hole in The Rock, great view.
2) Now, for the "South of Curry" area, which unfortunately is closer and more convenient for me to hike. Did I miss the sign where it says "The City of Tempe Encourages Littering, Specially if It's Broken Glass"? I don't understand if this is being done on purpose so the mountain glitters???? Ridiculous. Don't bring your pets or little kids to the area south of the playground. This is absolutely the filthiest hike you can find. Obviously this must be a huge drinking hangout at night, and somehow the City or the police don't care to enforce any laws.
As for the area between Mill and the playground (College), it is a beautiful hike. You get up on the peaks and see all of Tempe and other eastern cities. The views are breathtaking.
But...I'm going to be honest. As a woman who hikes alone, I just don't feel that comfortable with the amount of homeless people at the park. I'm not trying to be mean. I know that homeless doesn't equal dangerous. But when they are in large groups, yelling at you or yelling at each other, or saying crazy stuff...well, that's when I'm uncomfortable. I've hiked with my kids around 6 am in the summer and we get yelled at, and one lady threw a beer can at us.
I don't think there's a solution here...I totally see the appeal of living in this park. I just wish I could feel more comfortable hiking here.
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