Sabino Lake Area

Sabino Canyon Recreation Area
Coronado National Forest,
Near Tucson
Pima Co.,
Arizona

Hiking Trails:
Bear Canyon Trail
Esperero Trail
Bluff Trail
Sabino Lake Trail

Total Time: 1:10 minutes
Estimated Distance: 2.5 miles

Pros: Very Scenic area
Cons: Lots of people at the beginning of the hike
Hike Type: Loop
Level of Difficulty: Moderate

Google Maps of Parking:
https://g.page/sabinocanyonvc?share

I was in Tucson for a tradeshow, and had a little over an hour to do a short hike. As we were staying near Sabino Canyon, this was the perfect place to go. I parked in the Sabino Canyon visitor center, and took the Bear Canyon Trail for a short distance to the Esperero Trail. I took the Esperero Trail to the road for a short distance to the Bluff Trail, which I took to the Sabino Lake Trail to the dam.

This area is very pretty, with a waterfall over the dam. I continued along the side of the creek until reaching the Bear Canyon Trail. I took the Bear Canyon Trail back to my car.

Phoenix Mountains Preserve Sunset Hike

Phoenix,
Maricopa Co.,
Arizona

Hiking Trails:
202 Trail

Total Time: 45 minutes
Estimated Distance: 1.1 miles

Pros: Scenic hike in Phoenix
Cons: None
Hike Type: Up and Out
Level of Difficulty: Moderate

Google Maps of Parking:
https://goo.gl/maps/VNQakR58XR8uybmV7

Hiking Partner:
Yehudah Koblick

I had visited Arizona for a tradeshow, and had arrived in Phoenix an hour before sunset. We decided to do a quick hike in the nearby Phoenix Mountains Preserve. We had considered hiking Piestawa Peak, but realized we would not have enough time, so we instead opted for the 202 Trail nearby.

We climbed up the trail to the top of the mountain, and enjoyed the sunset on top before heading down.

Lake Frozen Lake Skanatati / Lake Askoti Pine Swamp Loop

Harriman State Park
Orange Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Long Path: Green Blaze
Dunning Trail: Yellow Blaze
Arden-Surebridge Trail: Red blaze
Red Cross Trail: Red blaze

Total Time: 2:00 hour
Estimated Distance: 3.8 Miles

Pros: Scenic Frozen Lakes, Pretty area
Cons: None
Hike Type: Loop
Level of Difficulty: Difficult in snowy conditions

Google Maps of Parking:
https://goo.gl/maps/Lfu9Mivix81tYe7S7

Several of the Harriman Lakes were frozen after a prolonged period of freezing temperatures. The weather was particularly cold this Sunday, which required me to really bundle up. I wanted to combine a frozen lake hike with some trails and easy climbing, so this was a good choice.

There were several inches of snow on the ground, and I was well dressed for the ocassion. I parked at the Lake Skanatati / Lake Askoti parking area on Seven Lakes Drive, and walked across the frozen lake to the dam. I then walked in the middle of the lake to the end at the Long Path, and took the long path up and down some ridges to the Dunning Trail. I took the Dunning Trail past the Pine Swamp and Pine Swamp Mine, and then took the Arden-Surebridge Trail, and then climbing down the Red Cross Trail. I crossed over Seven Lakes Drive, and then went along Lake Askoti from its north point to south point. I took the Long Path down along the stream and then back to my car.

Map of the Route

Lake Skanatati

Lake Skanatati Dam

Mountain Laurel Forest on the Long Path

Pine Swamp

Dunning Trail Greenery

Pine Swamp Mine

Lake Askoti