Friday, March 3, 2017

HIKING IN USERY MOUNTAINS

Friday, March 3 - We sure are enjoying our stay at Usery Mountain Regional Park just outside of Phoenix, AZ. There are numerous trails throughout the park. Today we choose the Blevins Trail for an enjoyable hike. The complete loop is approximately 3.25 miles of relatively flat desert hiking. It is one of the most popular trails in the park so an early start is recommended to beat the crowds.

Blevins Trail Usery

We hiked the trail in a clockwise direction and might consider a counterclockwise if we would hike it again. The direction we took involved a gradual uphill hike for the entire last mile on the trail. The elevation change was minor, but we still did some huffing and puffing during that last uphill stretch.

Blevins Trail in Usery

We crossed several washes. Blevins Trail in Usery

Blevins Trail in Usery

There are many opportunities to connect with intersecting trails if one wishes to lengthen their hike. All the trails are well marked, and a map is available at the gatehouse. Many of these trails are great for mountain bike riding as well.

Blevins Trail in Usery

The desert is slowly coming alive with the beauty of Spring. Unfortunately, we will miss the big show.

Blevins Trail in Usery

Blevins Trail in Usery

Blevins Trail in Usery

We enjoyed this morning's hike and plan additional hikes in the future, so check back and see what we find.

Bella just loves the desert. We have been taking her on her daily walk. Who ever thought a cat would love walking the desert floor. Oh by the way…she must always be the leader…lol.

Bella and the desert

The desert sky never fails to amaze us.
desert sky

Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see y’all back real soon. Have a great day!

 

9 comments:

  1. Looks like a beautiful trail. I don't think you two have to worry about the crowds with predawn start...haha! Love Bella leading the way on her adventure:)

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  2. I like the looks of that trail. It appears well maintained. I love that Bella loves to walk in the desert!!
    I love this time of year when everything appears to be waking up!!

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  3. Gorgeous photos. We will definitely go.

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  4. Gorgeous photos. We will definitely go.

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  5. It is amazing how much beautiful plant life is out there in the desert. We always wonder how these plants stay alive with so little water. I would love to hang around sometime to see all the flowers/cactus in bloom.

    www.travelwithkevinandruth.com

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  6. This is a great time of year to be in the desert, especially with all the rain you have had this year. The flowers ought to be plentiful.

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  7. Just love how the desert has come alive after all the rain we had this past winter, sure was worth it !

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  8. Love the pic of Bella. When we had Lucky, we walked him on a leash. He liked leading too. So we followed. Just like you.

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  9. We've stayed there a few times and love the area.

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