However, although it's been 12 years since I moved to Arizona, I've never become particularly fond of the desert. While the sunsets here are second to none and there is a beautiful stoicism to the saguaro cacti, the harsh bareness of the desert just didn't appeal to me. Even the creatures of the desert are far from cuddly (although I am quite taken by coyotes and javelina!). But the past few months living in Vistancia, and especially the last couple of weeks, have made me realize just how beautiful the desert can be (especially when it's not 120 degrees).
In preparation for our big backpacking trip this summer to Rocky Mountain National Park, D and I decided to start hiking some of the desert and peaks around our home. We are literally across the street from a desert preserve and flanked on three sides by mountain ranges. We hiked to the top of White Peak last week - named for it's white appearance caused by the amazing prevalence of quartz.
WHITE PEAK - and me on top of White Peak!
After hiking a few other smaller peaks within walking distance, we set our sights on the highest peak in the range. Honestly, while I was excited to try and see how far we got, I was a little skeptical that we could really make it to the top. So we set out this morning determined to give it a try. Both D and I are pretty competitive and strong-willed, so it would take a lot for us to quit. We made our way along the CAP (Central Arizona Project - the canal that feeds the city's water) and when it looked about right, we shimmied on the ground under the barbed wire fence leading to the desert. There were no trails to our mountain, so we cut straight through the desert and followed a wash a good distance. Because of the wet 
winter, the desert was amazingly green and lush.
About a mile and a half in, we found ourselves at the base of the peak and took a few minutes to determine the best course. The south side of the mountain, that we were facing, was particularly steep and rocky, so we decided to make our way on an angle up the back. It was a pretty hostile trek, with the terrain littered with rough volcanic rock, prickly desert brush, and multiple species of cacti (saguaro, jumping cholla, etc.) We kept our eyes open for rattlesnakes, but given that it's winter, all was quiet.
The wash on the way out to the peak
winter, the desert was amazingly green and lush.About a mile and a half in, we found ourselves at the base of the peak and took a few minutes to determine the best course. The south side of the mountain, that we were facing, was particularly steep and rocky, so we decided to make our way on an angle up the back. It was a pretty hostile trek, with the terrain littered with rough volcanic rock, prickly desert brush, and multiple species of cacti (saguaro, jumping cholla, etc.) We kept our eyes open for rattlesnakes, but given that it's winter, all was quiet.
The wash on the way out to the peak
About 2/3 of the way up, the views were already amazing. And although the thought did cross our mind to give up and turn back, we both got our second wind and moved forward with determination despite the fact that we were at the steepest and by far most difficult part of the hike. And then we were there... at the top of the tallest peak looking out at the most breath-taking views of the Phoenix area: to the north we could see Anthem, the Hieroglyphic Peaks, to the south the White Tanks, to the northwest Lake Pleasant. We could even see all the way down to the city and the Cardinals Stadium. It is almost impossible to put into words the utter beauty that surrounded us. And the most incredible part was that we were in a place of complete solitude that we could only imagine had been visited but a few times. After all, who in their right mind would trailblaze up this peak? 
The landscape on the way up Me next to a saguaro (they're TALL!)
As Devin took some pictures, I relaxed on a rock just absorbing the views, the sound of the birds, and the cold wind. The cactus wrens were flying below us and a big hawk circled over the top. As I sat there, a pair of curious lizards got closer and closer, sneaking up, hiding under rocks and then scurrying out. All I could think of was the two opossums in Ice Age 2.
Me at the top!!!
Now here's the GREAT STORY part of the blog:
I was sitting on a big rock on the edge of the ridge when D came over to sit next to me. The rock he chose was tilted down but was a good flat surface. "I can't believe someone did this" he said, pointing to an engraving in the rock. I was so lost in the experience that I hadn't even noticed the "graffiti". We both looked closer: a heart with NA + LA inside of it and next to the heart, the date: 1-28-1941. "Do you know what the date is today?" I asked him. With disbelief, we realized that we were at the very same spot as N.A. and L.A., sixty-eight years to the day they were here. Of all the rocks on all of the peaks on all of the days of the year, what brought us to the exact spot? The writing was not visible from the main part of the ridge and could have only been discovered by viewing it from the very outside edge.
The amazing thing is that in 2009, we are way out on the very edge of civilization and it took a tough 1 1/2 mile hike to get to the base. In 1941, there was nothing for miles! We learned that in 1928 a damn was constructed on the Aqua Fria River creating Lake Pleasant and was used primarily as an agricultural storage facility. There was a resort to the far north, built around a hot spring, that was frequented by the very rich and powerful from the 1920s through the early 1940s. Perhaps our mystery N.A. was a wealthy eccentric who found pleasure in exploring! (Interesting fact: During 1943-1944 the aforementioned resort was turned into a rehabilitation center for the US Military and JFK was actually a patient there for three months).
After marveling over our discovery and of course, carving a matching set of initials and today's date, we decided to make our way down
the mountain. At this point we were pretty wiped out so we decided to just go ahead and go straight down the steep side (maybe we delirious or maybe we just were cocky and overconfident from making it to the top!). In a half of mile we descended 660 feet over loose lava rock and those damn jumping chollas. It was definitely nerve-wracking.
Note on jumping chollas: They HURT. They are named jumping chollas, because when something comes in contact with one of the arms, it breaks off and lodges into whatever hit it. The spines are barbed and once they stick you, it hurts to pull it back out. I managed to get a few in my shoes and one stuck in my leg. Not cool. But then again, it's all part of the experience!
Finally we were back down on level ground and on our way back along CAP. But this time, we took the road up to the bridge versus sliding on our bellies under the barbed wire! (We discovered the path when we were on the top of the peak looking down!).
We went a total of 4.1 miles in about 3 hours - what an amazing journey. While we were on the ridge we were able to chart future hikes and explorations. I can say that my love of the outdoors has now expanded to include this incredible desert!
Now here's the GREAT STORY part of the blog:
I was sitting on a big rock on the edge of the ridge when D came over to sit next to me. The rock he chose was tilted down but was a good flat surface. "I can't believe someone did this" he said, pointing to an engraving in the rock. I was so lost in the experience that I hadn't even noticed the "graffiti". We both looked closer: a heart with NA + LA inside of it and next to the heart, the date: 1-28-1941. "Do you know what the date is today?" I asked him. With disbelief, we realized that we were at the very same spot as N.A. and L.A., sixty-eight years to the day they were here. Of all the rocks on all of the peaks on all of the days of the year, what brought us to the exact spot? The writing was not visible from the main part of the ridge and could have only been discovered by viewing it from the very outside edge.
The amazing thing is that in 2009, we are way out on the very edge of civilization and it took a tough 1 1/2 mile hike to get to the base. In 1941, there was nothing for miles! We learned that in 1928 a damn was constructed on the Aqua Fria River creating Lake Pleasant and was used primarily as an agricultural storage facility. There was a resort to the far north, built around a hot spring, that was frequented by the very rich and powerful from the 1920s through the early 1940s. Perhaps our mystery N.A. was a wealthy eccentric who found pleasure in exploring! (Interesting fact: During 1943-1944 the aforementioned resort was turned into a rehabilitation center for the US Military and JFK was actually a patient there for three months).
After marveling over our discovery and of course, carving a matching set of initials and today's date, we decided to make our way down
the mountain. At this point we were pretty wiped out so we decided to just go ahead and go straight down the steep side (maybe we delirious or maybe we just were cocky and overconfident from making it to the top!). In a half of mile we descended 660 feet over loose lava rock and those damn jumping chollas. It was definitely nerve-wracking.Note on jumping chollas: They HURT. They are named jumping chollas, because when something comes in contact with one of the arms, it breaks off and lodges into whatever hit it. The spines are barbed and once they stick you, it hurts to pull it back out. I managed to get a few in my shoes and one stuck in my leg. Not cool. But then again, it's all part of the experience!
Finally we were back down on level ground and on our way back along CAP. But this time, we took the road up to the bridge versus sliding on our bellies under the barbed wire! (We discovered the path when we were on the top of the peak looking down!).
We went a total of 4.1 miles in about 3 hours - what an amazing journey. While we were on the ridge we were able to chart future hikes and explorations. I can say that my love of the outdoors has now expanded to include this incredible desert!
The view from the top - the peak in the distance is White Peak, View of the CAP and our neighborhood.
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