the  West side of Phoenix near the White Tank Mountains.  This

                                                                        is the perfect time for a family hike in the White Tanks.

If you’re new to the area or just interested in learning about hiking in the great outdoors, these programs are for you. Usery Mountain Regional Park, 3939 N. Usery Pass Road, is hosting two short educational hikes on Wednesday.

“New to Arizona?” will be at 9 a.m. and “Desert Hiking 101″ will be at 1 p.m. Both will offer a chance to walk the trails in the park while learning about the plants and animals that live there and the basics of exploring the desert.

The programs are free, but there is a $6 per vehicle park entry fee.

For more information, call (480) 984-0032 or visit www.maricopa.gov/parks/usery.

In a very unusual coyote incident, a nineteen yard old woman was hiking alone in Eastern Canada this week and was attacked by two coyotes. By the time rescuers reached her she had lost a large amount of blood from bite wounds and was in critical condition. Taylor Mitchell was airlifted to a hospital in Halifax Nova Scotia where she died the next day. 

On the other side of the continent in another coyote incident officials in Los Angeles ordered a coyote hunt in the popular Griffith Park after a man was bitten on the foot.  Trappers killed eight coyotes in an effort to stem such attacks in the Metropolitan area.  Coyotes are found all over North America and although attacks against humans are highly unusual the animals seem to be adaptable to areas that are usually occupied by humans.  This will lead to many problems as the animals hunt for food in residential areas.

In an unrelated incident in Sun City Arizona a resident was attacked in her own yard as she held a small dog in her arms.  The coyotes were able to wrestle the dog from her and tried to make off with their anticipated meal but she prevailed with rocks and sticks and after a trip to the local vet and surgical repair of the wounds the dog was saved.  In Sun City there are several golf courses and the coyotes are drawn by the open spaces and large numbers of birds and animals that they can hunt for food.  They never turn their backs on a pet that may be available in someone’s yard and it appears that they don’t care if the owner is present or not.

 Although such incidents are rare and certainly not anticipated they do underscore the importance of not taking Mother Nature for granted.  Always have an emergency pack with you while in the open spaces and it would be a good idea to have a repellent such as Mace to ward off attackers whether human or otherwise.

The Echo Canyon Summit Trail and the Cholla Trail are both strenuous and not for the novice.  You can expect to scramble over boulders and loose rocks on some stretches and there are also areas of slippery rock. Camelback Mountain rises 1400 feet above the Phoenix valley to 2704 feet above sea level. 

Where to Park 

Park on Invergordon between Camelback Road and McDonald Drive, then take a walk up Cholla Lane to the trailhead. Parking spaces are really scarce and you may find yourself waiting 15 or 20 minutes for a spot to open up. If you are hiking at Echo Canyon you will find a parking lot that will probably be full after 8 in the morning. There are a couple of parking areas within a half mile along McDonald Drive. Parking can really be tough on the weekends and you may have to take a little hike from neighboring residential areas but the views really make it all worth while. 

Trails 

Trailheads on Camelback Mountain are usually open from sunrise to sunset. The main hiking trail loops around the covered picnic area at Echo Canyon. Then it takes off  through some spectacular sandstone rock formations and you’ll be rewarded with remarkable views from the top of the mountain out across the city of Phoenix.  

Echo Canyon Trail on the Northwest side of Camelback Mountain, just off McDonald and Tatum, is considered to be one of the most difficult, extreme park trails located within an urban environment in the US. At the Echo Canyon Summit Trailhead you can find portable toilets and a water fountain which is sometimes actually working. Be sure to bring your own water. Echo Canyon is now closed to visitors at night, but I think that is a small price to pay for the access that the area provides in the daytime. Hikers going down yield to hikers going up and hikers with kids and dogs yield to everybody. Hikers must walk up on the south side of Cholla Lane. 

There are a couple of easy to moderate trails that loop around the scenic portions of the bottom of the mountain and will give families an opportunity to enjoy the views without having to make the climb to the summit. Once you get started on the trails and have a chance to see the views you will probably want to join the other hikers, rock climbers and fitness buffs making their way to the summit of Camelback Mountain. It may be a tough hike but the views of Phoenix/Scottsdale and the mountains in the background are unparalleled.     

Camelback Mountain is a marvelous blend of luxury homes, golf courses, resorts and rugged mountain trails that seem to come together within a natural setting that permits a blended existence of gracious lifestyles and outdoor recreation.The View From Camelback Mountain

Discovery Hike on South Mountain 

Start making plans now for the Petroglyph Discovery Hike at South Mountain on Saturday, November 21.  The hike will be led by an experienced museum guide and will take about three hours.  Advanced registration is required and the cost will be $10.00 per person.  The discovery hike will be on the Mormon Trail which is just south of Baseline on 24^th Street.  Parking is limited at the trailhead and you won’t find any restrooms there. The hike will be about three and a half miles long and is considered fairly difficult. .

Pueblo Grande Museum: 4619 e. Washington st. Phoenix, AZ 85034

Ph :602-495-0901

 From several locations within the park you’ll find fantastic views of Phoenix and the surrounding communities.  The National Trail climbs up the ridge to the west, and offers very good views of Phoenix, Tempe and the metropolitan area at several established viewpoints. As you explore the park’s 58 miles of trails you’ll find lots of beautiful Sonoran Desert scenery.  Ancient petroglyphs and abundant wildlife will keep you entertained as you enjoy the amazing views of the Phoenix valley and surrounding mountains.  There are four basic activities that you can enjoy at South Mountain Park:  Hiking, biking, bird watching and horseback riding.

Park

Stop at the main gate on your way into the park and pick up a map.  At the visitor’s center, you can find trail maps and talk to a park ranger for information on hikes or mountain bike rides in the area.  Park rangers can be a great source of information and they can provide trail maps and even help you reserve one of the picnic ramadas. Here you can also learn about upcoming park ranger-led outdoor programs. After a stop at the visitor’s center you should continue up to Dobbins Point for breathtaking views of the valley.

Trails

There are a series of trails in the South Mountain Park one of them is the wheelchair-accessible Judith Tunell trail located close to the visitor center.  Most of the trails in the park are on rugged, desert terrain. So you need to be prepared if you decide to go hiking on foot.  Sturdy hiking boots are recommended and be sure to carry a supply of drinking water along with you.

The more than 10 different trails in South Mountain Park range from 1 mile in length to 14 miles.  Javelina Canyon Trail is going to be one of the easiest of these trails.  It  starts at the Beverly Canyon parking lot at 46th Street, south of Baseline Road.  All of the trails will be rocky and some of them are quite steep.

There are many species of plant life and you can see creosote, brittlebush, palo verde trees and a variety of cacti along the trails.  You can find many desert critters in the park and you may even spot a javelina, cottontail rabbit or jackrabbit as you are hiking along the trails.  Some of the best spots to see petroglyphs in South Mountain Park are along the Judith Tunnell Accessible Trail.  Some of the best views are going to be found at the Buena Vista Lookout off the National Trail.

Drive

More people probably visit South Mountain Park for the scenic drive and views than for anything else.  The main road which courses to the highest lookout in the park is full of switchbacks and you should be aware that this drive is on a winding mountain road that isn’t too wide.  If you want to get to the second highest point in the park, drive up to the Dobbins Lookout, which is only about 30 feet below Mount Suppoa.

Attractions

In the foothills of South Mountain Park, just a little before the entrance Ponderosa Stables and South Mountain Stables have provided horseback riding to the public for many years. Guided trail rides are available to riders of all levels of experience.  For information contact Ponderosa Stables or South Mountain Stables.  They offer breakfast rides, cookout rides and interesting trails rides for all levels of experience.

While you are there you should probably stop over and take a tour of the Mystery Castle. It is located only a couple of miles from the entrance to the park and is well worth your time.  You’ll be fascinated by your tour guide who happens to be the daughter of the man who built the home from materials he found in the surrounding area. 

South Mountain Park can easily take a full day to explore if you decide to take to the trails.  Or you can take an hour and drive your car up to the top of the mountains for a beautiful view of the Valley of the Sun.  Be sure to take time to stop for at least a few short hikes to explore the rugged desert countryside or perhaps a family picnic in one of the many armadas.

For more information on hiking in the Phoenix area be sure to stop by:

www.savvy-boomers.com and you can follow us on twitter at hikingAZ.

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When buying a backpack there are quite a few things you need to consider. For many travelers you will be living out of your backpack for many months and making a poor decision on your backpack can be detrimental to the enjoyment of your trip.

Don’t rush into buying the first backpack you see either. They can be a big and costly investment and it is important to get a backpack that is suitable to your needs and body type. Expect to pay between $150-$300US for a decent backpack. So what exactly should we be looking for?

- Make sure you get a pack that is proportionate to your body and comfortable to carry around 35 pounds (15KG) or so in. This means if you are a girl or a man of smaller stature you may want to considering getting a smaller bag. The last thing you want on a trip is to do your back in lugging around a monster sized bag.

- Always make sure there is a waist strap. The waist strap when adjusted correctly on a backpack will shift something like 40% of the weight off your shoulders and onto your hips. This will make traveling considerably easier. Make sure that the bag as a section to cover/protect the strap when you are not wearing it as they can get damaged in transit on planes. It’s best to get the back professionally fitted to your body type. Most stores who sell backpacks will happily do this free of charge. Make sure that the bag is already packed as it will be a useless endeavor to fit an empty back as the contour/suspension will adjust when full.

- Look for a bag with an internal lightweight frame.

- Make sure to ask if the bag is waterproof. If it is not waterproof you can always cover it with a garbage bag or poncho when walking in the rain. I would already suggest spraying your bag with something like Scotchguard before traveling for extra protection.

- Is there a detachable day bag? One of my favorite features of a backpack is the smaller detachable day bag. These can be really useful for smaller trips and day to day use rather than dragging around your main bag. They are very convenient as they can clip onto your main bag when not using them. Many also posses the ability to clip onto the front of your harness allowing you the extra security of having your day bag infront of you with your important belongings while walking rather on the back.

- Warranty? Make you sure inquire about the warranty offered on your backpack on purchase. What does the warranty cover and how long does it last? You certainly don’t want your backpack falling apart on you after a couple weeks. Make sure you get a reputable brand with a comprehensive warranty.

- Extra handles on the top or side of the backpack or a strap that allows you to carry the backpack like a duffel bag. This can be handy in situations like airports where you will be standing still waiting for quite some time. Many new bags now offer these features giving them the versatility of a bag and a suitcase in one.

- A good amount of extra pockets inside the bag. Good for a variety of things and helps you to pack and access your goods in a more organized fashion.

- Look for double stitching in weight bearing places. If it looks too flimsy, don’t buy it, no matter how many guarantees and warranties are on the bag. They won’t help you if your pack breaks in the middle of no where.

- Avoid backpacks with wheels. They add unnecessary weight to your bag and there are not many places in Thailand where wheels will be useful.