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The 3 Best Hiking Trails In The Phoenix Metropolitan Area

The desert is the best place to hike (as long as you have water).

smhalliwell23

May 28, 2019

Arizona State University

The 3 Best Hiking Trails In The Phoenix Metropolitan Area

PxHere

Phoenix is surrounded by mountains that all have amazing hiking trails. As an avid hiker, when I am in Phoenix I always try to fit in a hike on my trips. After many visits, these are my three favorite hikes to do if you have some free time in the Phoenix Metropolitan area.

The Holbert Trail

A photo I took indie the Dobbins Lookout off of the Holbert Trail.

Photo by Sydney Halliwell

I would classify the Holbert Trail as an easy to moderate hike. It is located on South Mountain in Phoenix. It has a steep elevation change, but the views at the top are worth the effort. The trail leads to Dobbins Lookout, and although you can drive to the lookout, hiking to it makes it far more worthwhile.

I did this hike at around 9 a.m. on a Sunday morning. It's best to do hikes in Phoenix earlier in the day to avoid overheating as well as hiking traffic. This hike is hands-down one of my favorites and I look forward to doing it the next time I am in the area.

The Mormon Trail

A photo I took on the Mormon Trail at the peak.

Photo by Sydney Halliwell

The Mormon Trail is another one of my favorite trails, and it also happens to be on South Mountain. However, it gives a completely different view of the city and won't disappoint. The Mormon Trail is definitely an easy trail, but it does get steep at times. It was the first hike I ever did in Arizona and I had so much fun! You can hike up to the peak and back, or you can continue around the loop for a bit of a longer hike.

I did this hike in December around 3 p.m. and it was perfect! I feel like the enjoyment of hikes is highly dependent on the weather, so always make sure you hike in the morning or later in the day to avoid getting too hot or dehydrated. If you want an easy hike that still gives a great workout, the Mormon trail is definitely for you!

Camelback Mountain

A photo I took on Camelback Mountain.

Photo by Sydney Halliwell

Camelback Mountain is not for people who want a relaxing Sunday morning hike. Camelback Mountain makes an avid hiker like myself realize how out of shape he/she is. This hike is hard, long, and very steep. Despite that, the views of Scottsdale and Phoenix are definitely worth it. During the hike, I felt out of breath, sweaty and frankly defeated. It's the views at the end and on your way down that makes you enjoy the hike more.

I did this hike in the morning in March, and it still had me sweating. To be completely transparent with you all, I ended up falling victim to heat exhaustion (NOT to be confused with heat stroke) and was sick the whole plane ride home from dehydration. This hike really kicked my butt but it was quite worthwhile. Drink a lot of water before the hike, and take sips during. If you chug water on this hike, you may get sick, as I have both seen and heard. Make sure you pay attention to how hydrated you are during the day as well. This hike is strenuous, but with determination, you can do it.

I have hiked many mountains in both the Northeast and the Southwest. Having hiked a decent amount in the Phoenix area, these hikes seem to prevail. Although Camelback Mountain was not my favorite hike during the endeavor, I felt great afterward. Hiking is a great way to get a workout in while still having fun. Whether you take on these hikes alone or with friends or family, always make sure to enjoy yourself and stay hydrated!

25 Beatles Lyrics: Your Go-To Guide for Every Situation

The Best Lines from the Fab Four

SUNY Binghamton

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Wikipedia Commons

For as long as I can remember, I have been listening to The Beatles. Every year, my mom would appropriately blast “Birthday” on anyone’s birthday. I knew all of the words to “Back In The U.S.S.R” by the time I was 5 (Even though I had no idea what or where the U.S.S.R was). I grew up with John, Paul, George, and Ringo instead Justin, JC, Joey, Chris and Lance (I had to google N*SYNC to remember their names). The highlight of my short life was Paul McCartney in concert twice. I’m not someone to “fangirl” but those days I fangirled hard. The music of The Beatles has gotten me through everything. Their songs have brought me more joy, peace, and comfort. I can listen to them in any situation and find what I need. Here are the best lyrics from The Beatles for every and any occasion.

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Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Smith College

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college students waiting in a long line in the hallway

StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

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waitlisted

Recommended for you

The 3 Best Hiking Trails In The Phoenix Metropolitan Area

The desert is the best place to hike (as long as you have water).

The Holbert Trail

The Mormon Trail

Camelback Mountain

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The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

There have been many lessons learned.

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

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