Trailblazers at Skyline Regional Park.

Ron, Michael, Tish, Leroy, Marie, Rudy, Robbi, Sonny, Geno, Wendy.

The group gathered for a group photo near the footbridge that is the entrance for several trails in all directions. The hike went counterclockwise using the inner loop side of Turnbuckle to reach Granite Falls.

Sun rise in Skyline Regional Park.

Eleven Hikers met near the restrooms adjacent to the parking lot at the end of Watson Road as it dead-ends into the park. The hikers set out from the bridge entering Skyline Regional Park in Buckeye on Thanksgiving morning.

Time to cross the bridge in Skyline Regional Park and start hiking.

The trailhead parking was already filling up. The trail is well marked with great signage.
We saw hikers, joggers, and mountain bikers.

Time to read the signs.

The path is a mix of sand, compacted dirt and rocks as it crisscrosses washes eventually heading down into the valley. We were surrounded by all the typical Sonoran desert flora, but the beauty was the sunrise, the long valley vistas and friendly conversation.

A trail in Skyline Regional Park.

Once on Granite Falls Trail Robbi and Bill pointed out several telegraph poles that still dot the valley.

Old telegraph pole.

The temperatures ranged from 49 to 52 degrees, but everyone was prepared for the chill. This is an easy to moderate loop; conducive to conversation and enjoying the views before heading home to family and Turkey dinners.