Hiking Squaw Peak & Weaver's Needle, AZ

Gold Canyon, AZ
Canyon Vista RV Resort


While we finished up March in the Apache Junction/Gold Canyon areas, we did two more amazing hikes.  Squaw Peak is a great hike just outside of the city of Phoenix and Weaver's Needle rivaled the hike to Flat Iron.  I was in hiking heaven.

Squaw Peak's name was changed to "Piestewa Peak" in honor of Lori Piestewa who died serving her country in the Iraq conflict. The elevation of Piestewa is the second highest peak in Phoenix behind Camelback Mountain which is located nearby and is a very difficult trail.

Heading up.

One of the many amazing views of the greater Pheonix area as you climb.

 

 

Ocotillo blooming and some big steps to climb.

 

Steve & I.

Dotty and Doug.

First time I've seen a Chuckwalla.  They are very big lizards. 

 

Dotty climbing up some of the steep, rocky sections.    The elevation marker at the top.

Views of some of the nearby peaks.

 

A couple pics of me near the top taken by Steve.

 

 

This guy was also very happy to make it to the top.

It made me nervous to see him sitting on that rocky outcropping.

 

Me and Dotty

All four of us at the top! Steve, Me, Dotty and Doug.

A well deserved rest after a steep climb.

I heard that the local Search and Rescue does frequent Fly-by's to keep an eye on the hikers.

This guy actually had an interesting story.  I was asking him about the weights and he told me he and his daughter were going to try out for the Great Race TV show in a couple of years so he wanted to get in good shape.  I gotta admit he did very well with those heavy weights as it was a hot hike up a steep trail.

This passenger had it made.

Another nice view from up high.

 

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Lastly, Weaver's Needle was a hike we were really looking forward to.  Curt from Camp Lowry was going to take us on this hike along with his friend Ron. 

 

The wildflowers were out in spectacular color everywhere on the trail.

 

The views constantly changed.  The colors and formations.

 Looking back down.

 

The spires were stacked all over the canyons.

Steve with his new tattoo.

 

Whatever these type of flowering plants are, they are beautiful. Many different colors.

Steve leading the way.

 

Getting closer to the top.  In the pic to the left you can see "Snail Rock" at the top.

 

 

Just as we were about to hit the peak, Curt covered my eyes and told me to just "trust him" as he guided me over the top to the edge.  This was the sight when he uncovered my eyes.

 WOW!  Really, WOW!!  It is an unbelievable view that you have to see in person to appreciate.  So majestic you have to see it! That lone pine tree to the far right is our final destination.  It's the closest you can get.  We had lunch there and a nice rest.

Lunch at the top.

A video from the "Lone Pine"

 

 

 

 

 

Flowers, flowers everywhere!

 

 When we finished the hike and were headed back to the parking lot at the trailhead, I saw this unique hood ornament on this car.