Hike #11 - Thunderbird Park Part 2- Glendale AZ

Hike #11

Date: January 18, 2014 

Location:  Thunderbird Park Glendale, AZ

Hikers: Jim, Tina & Linda 

Directions: I17N to Pinnacle Peak Road.  Head West towards 59th Ave.  Park in the first lot you see before the light at the turn. Parking is on the South Side.   



http://www.glendaleaz.com/parksandrecreation/thunderbirdpark.cfm

Back again.  Last week we did a short hike but this week I did more research.  We could do a 5 miler that is on a different trail and offers more elevation. We parked in the same spot as last week on Pinnacle Peak as the road turns to 59th Ave.

Thumbalina :)

Since our last adventure Jim ended up going to Urgent Care after his fall.  He tore open his thumb.  So...more information regarding his fall.  He is not a clutsz like I thought.  He took out his phone to see if we had time to keep hiking.  And then tripped.  Moral of the Story and Lesson for this week boys and girls.  Do NOT TXT or look at your phone while hiking.  (Are you listening Jim & Tina?) Ok Enough lecturing!

Todays plan is to head up H1 which is also called CoachWhip and head across the street over the road on the bridge.

Tina and Jim heading to Pavillion

Bridge to other mountain

Our conversation today is about the movie The Help. It was on TV last night.  It kept us chatting for a while.  It was a nice morning. 50 degrees a little chilly for AZ.  The moon was still out as we headed West to the bridge.

Once over the bridge on the North side we took a left.  We are on Coachwhip but also the Cholla loop.  The loop is a 3 miler around the mountain.  We are going to head West to the parking lot on 59th Ave.  This is where Cholla continues to the North.  We went into the parking lot at 59th Ave and hit the north west trail up the hill.  

59th Ave Trail heads

 We did not know it at the time but we took Sunrise trail to the top of the hill, then picked up  Ridgeline back to CoachWhip.  Ridgeline had sweeping switchbacks down that are similar to the Grand Canyon.  Not step just sweeping. Jim was trying to tell us that once you hit the tunnel at the Grand Canyon north rim you are almost done.  Well we must of been talking loud because a lady coming up said...Oh No sir, you are not almost out. LOL  Tina and I decided that men lie.  ha ha

Jim & Tina Top of Sunrise Trail West in background

We made it back to the 59th Ave Trailhead and stopped at the restrooms.  Now we headed north back on to the Cholla Loop assuming we had 1.5 miles left.  

The incline is pretty good to the top of the Cholla Loop.  Gave us a good work out especially after we added that little extra.  I think just doing the Cholla Loop is a decent workout.  This hiking area is very heavily used.  We are not use to seeing so many people.  A lot of runners and dogs.  I think because there are so many options for many fitness levels. Keep this in mind if you are looking for a more private hike.  This is not the place.  It was still a great hike. 

Looking West towards Happy Valley Road

We ended up hiking just short of 6 miles and it took us 2 hours.  It was a new adventure.  I like not knowing where to go or what to expect.  

 We talked about finding new hikes will get harder in the future because we are tapping out most of the nearby spots.  South Mountain has a couple options but after that we will be heading EAST, NORTH or SOUTH.

My GPS worked perfectly. Since I turned it on!!  

People hike for different reasons.  I love being outside. Enjoying nature. Seeing the Magnificent sunrises. Meeting Friends. Saying Good Morning.  

But the Real Reason I hike is to EAT!! 

Here is the Prize at the end of Hike #11. 

Thanks Tina!

Cronuts! YUM!!