It was almost predawn darkness when 7 hikers met at the Desert Vista Trailhead off North Valley Parkway.

After introductions and a group photo, Neil Dennis led us on an out and back hike through the rolling desert.

We began our journey on the Desert Vista Hawk’s Nest Trail, which leads to a large saguaro with a nest built by hawks and taken over by owls. Each spring baby owls can be spotted peeking out over the nest, but not today.

After viewing the nest, we backtracked a short distance to a junction with the Desert Tortoise Trail, where we headed east on a rolling, scenic well-groomed 2 mile path to the junction with the Valle Verde Trail. After a brief discussion we decided to hike a short distance on the Valle Verde Trail. The weather was cool and cloudy, so heat had not affected us. We turned around and hiked back following the same route.

Rodney found two hiking boots someone lost on the trail and will most likely be back to retrieve.

The desert is green, the vegetation lush, and the cacti seem to be rejoicing with the recent rain and damp weather of this Monsoon Season.

One hiker started to develop a blister, so she stopped to bandage her foot, while everyone offered assistance.

We returned to the trailhead shortly after 8:00, as planned.

7 hikers
4.25 miles
2.5 hours
elevation gain 400'