Outdoor Adventures in Phoenix

Everyone knows Phoenix boasts indulgent spas, fabulous resorts and great golf. The arid desert climate offers a year-round escape and more than its fair share of cloudless, blue-sky days. And for those of us who prefer an active vacation, one that balances poolside lounging and ferreting out the city’s best restaurants, Phoenix delivers. Hot air ballooning, hiking, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, botanical gardens and more make it easy to keep moving and enjoy the Valley of the Sun. Here are some of your options.

Up, Up and Away

Getting up at the crack of dawn is worth it when hot air ballooning is on the itinerary. At 6:30 AM, I was picked up at my hotel by Hot Air Expeditions for the hour drive to north Scottsdale. Exact launching sites vary by day, and even by the hour, depending on weather and wind conditions. This day was perfect for ballooning, but the couple who rode with me said it was their second attempt. Earlier that week, they arrived at the site only to find out that the conditions had changed quickly and weren’t suitable for flying. The good news? A reputable company won’t put a balloon in the air if there’s any risk. At one mile up, that’s reassuring.

Part of the adventure is watching the balloon inflate and being readied for take off—quite a process. The partitioned basket held up to 20 people, and our captain balanced the basket by weight. At first, the ascent is no big deal. Houses looked like monopoly pieces, and we voyeuristically looked into back yards and over mountain ranges. Eventually, the earth looked like a GPS satellite map, and it hit home that only a sheath of wicker stood between my feet and nothingness. The hour-long, sunrise flight passed by quickly. Our pilot navigated the desert landing with the van chasing our touch down. Everyone gathered around a long table set up between the cactus and sage as we toasted with flutes of champagne and mimosas before dining on a gourmet, picnic breakfast.

Hike Like a Local

It’s unusual to find a city the size of Phoenix (ranked as the nation’s 12^th largest metropolitan area) with a bevy of hiking trails. Phoenix proper is home to more than 41,000 acres of desert parks and mountain preserves, and more than 200 miles of trails. There’s truly a hike for everyone: from challenging Piestewa Peak and Camelback Mountain to 16,000-acre South Mountain Park & Preserve made up of three mountain ranges. In arid Arizona, it’s important to take water, use sunscreen and wear good shoes or hiking boots because most trails are rocky.

This visit, my husband and I hiked Piestewa Peak with its steep, stair-step climb up the mountain and almost straight-up scramble to the summit. It’s said to be Arizona’s second most popular trail after Bright Angel at the Grand Canyon, so go early to avoid the crowds and heat and to find a parking space. Views are spectacular with no huge drop-offs on the trail. We hiked 90 minutes round-trip, plus time at the top for the 360-degree panorama. A more leisurely pace could take several hours. (getting there is a bit challenging the first time:  take Lincoln Drive to Squaw Peak Drive, which leads back into the Phoenix Mountain Preserve and the trailhead.)

We also explored South Mountain Preserve, especially close to the well-appointed all-suite, AAA four-diamond Arizona Grand Resort & Spa where we stayed several nights. Trails at South Mountain range from challenging to more relaxed. After our strenuous hike up Squaw Peak, we opted for the popular and more moderate Kiwanis Trail, located near the main ranger station off Central Avenue. The one-mile trail climbed through a picturesque canyon; at the top, we crossed the road and hooked into the steeper National Trail for another mile before heading back down. Before driving back to the hotel, we continued driving up the twisting 5.5-mile Summit Road to Dobbins Lookout for valley-wide views.

Down River

Kayaking the Lower Salt River in Tonto National Forest, about an hour west of Phoenix, offers a totally different look at the region. Our guide with Arizona Outback Adventures, Linda, took us on a 3.5-mile leisurely trip down the river. Since we visited in February, I thought standup paddle boarding would be too cold and opted for kayaking instead. Turns out, AOA paddle boards on Saguaro Lake would have been a bit warmer than our kayak trip, which required a jacket to keep warm. In summer tubing is another cool way to float down the Salt.

AOA offers a bevy of half-day and full day excursions including mountain biking, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding and hiking. “We want to offer the best experience possible, from beginning to advanced options, and we can tailor most trips,” said Linda.

City Oasis

I did squeeze in some stand-up paddle boarding at the Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass in Chandler. Just 11 miles south of the airport, it feels worlds away from the city for those who want a desert escape and love the outdoors. Guests can ride horseback from their equestrian center, play 36 holes of Troon golf and practice paddle boarding in the short, man-made river. From our balcony, I watched the sunset over the Sierra Estrella Mountains that ring this Gila River Indian Community. Wild horses still roam here, more than 1500 of them, and the Pima and Maricopa peoples continue to farm the land as they’ve done for centuries. Through an unusual partnership with these Indian tribes, tribal elders were intimately involved in many decisions at the resort, from the artwork in guest rooms to the menu at their renowned five- diamond Kai, which features Native American-inspired cuisine.

 

Garden Retreat

Not-to-be-missed, the Desert Botanical Garden weaves through the Sonoran landscape with gorgeous vistas. Five trails on 55 cultivated acres showcase desert landscapes from around the world. Truly a refuge of flora and fauna, this spot is easy to explore solo or on a tour, both day and night. The Music in the Garden concert series takes place February through June. Dining options include upscale Gertrude’s and the Patio Café. And at year-end, the fairy tale-like Las Noches de Las Luminarias features more than 8,000 luminarias, thousands of twinkle lights and live music.

www.visitphoenix.com