Squaw Peak Summit

Well I did it. I climbed to the top of Squaw Peak Summit in Phoenix Arizona.  Well not much of a big deal, it took two hours up and two down, it was very HOT out about 110 degrees.  This was a pretty tough climb as lots of stairsteps and switch backs.  I am not much of a walker or hiker but I like to see new things and take pictures, too bad it was such a hazy day over Phoenix.  I guess I will have to try it again when it is cooler and not so hazy.  There were a handful of people on the trail and surprisingly there were still people going up at noon time.  Dont they realize it is hot and sunny at noon.  I got there at 8am and down by noon.  I bet there were lots of people here earlier when it was cooler.   Bet it would be nice to see the sunrise or sunset from up top, but im not getting up that early.  haha.  As you can see in the pictures you can get a great view of downtown Phoenix and surrounding areas.  I would love to do a time exposure on a clear night, maybe I will try it sometime, just better remember my flashlight so I can get down.  I have been hiking alot of the mountains surrounding the Phoenix area, some are parks with trails and some are just mountains that I walk to through the neighborhood and start climbing.  The ones that are not trailed are most fun cause you can see more stuff and it is more interesting than being where many others have been.  I guess I like the less traveled trails, knowing that not many people have been here except others like myself who just get up and start walking/hiking somewhere and dont turn off.  But for a well used trail and the view you get at the top of squaw peak it was good.  I would definately recommend this hike if your in the area, it is centrally located, easy to get too and its free, just bring lots of water to drink if it is hot out.  This was my first time doing this hike and I met a handful of others that it was their first time doing it too and they were so excited, I did not think it was that big of a deal...haha  Have fun and enjoy if you do the Hike.