This hike begins with the Hawk’s Nest Trail. At 0.25 mile, bear right on the Desert Tortoise Trail, 1.13 miles. This trail doesn’t have many strenuous climbs, but it provides some descents into a wash and ascends a hill within 0.75 mile. After the mile post DT, 0.75 mile, the trail becomes flat up to junction with the Valle Verde Trail.

We take part of the Valle Verde Trail, 0.4 mile to the junction with the Great Horned Owl and Cactus Wren Trails. Because we want to hike up to Union Peak first, we bear left on the Great Horned Owl Trail.

This trail is gradual up to the junction of GO and the Union Peak Trail. We stop a little bit to catch our breath before hiking up to the peak. The Union Peak Trail is only 0.45 mile one way, but it is steep with many switchbacks.

The summit is combined with three stone humps linked by a footpath. While we are at the top, Wendy finds a small jar with a pad and pencil from geocaching.

At the peak with the sign, we take a break and enjoy the superb view.

After a break, we hike down the Great Horned Owl Trail 0.5 mile and turn left on the Cactus Wren Trail. This trail is wide, flat, and smooth. That’s why we see a lot of bikers on the trail. It provides good views of the area and circles back to the junction with Valle Valley Trail. Only Dave, Wendy and Quy want to be back the trailhead by hiking on Valle Verde-Dixie-Hawk’s Nest Trail. That trail will be 0.5 mile longer. The rest of group hike Desert Tortoise-Hawk’s Nest Trail back to the trailhead.

There is a huge hawk’s nest on giant Saguaro on the Hawk’s Nest Trail. I guess it is what this trail is named after. Dave said that he saw some babies on the nest while hiking the trail last year. At this moment the nest is still there, but no babies.

All the trails are well-marked with new signs including location, elevation, mileage, GPS coordinates and QR codes for downloading maps. The color on the signs matches the color on the map.

Along the trails, we see a few wildflowers starting to bloom, such as Lupine, Mexican Poppy, and Desert Marigold. A great number of wildflowers are still budding, a sign of the beautiful spring ahead.

There is nothing to compare with the feel of hiking a new trail, especially when it leads to the summit.

Thanks to all for coming to join my hike today. Happy Trails!