One of our favourite things to do when we were in Scottsdale was hike up and over Pinnacle Peak. I felt like I was in Disneyland with all the boulders and cacti not looking quite real. Really breathtaking scenery (and literally a breath-taking uphill climb which was harder than we thought although 80 year olds seemed to be skipping past us quite happily). It took us a couple of hours to climb up and over and then back again. Make sure you take water. Would be very hard to do in the summer heat. We had unexpected rain so were fine!
This is the view of Pinnacle Peak from our hotel at night just so that you can get the measure of it (although it looks rather small from this angle). There are a number of different length walks you can choose to do and very helpful people giving you advice in the booth at the bottom:-
We just LOVED the big cacti – they must be so old. Really splendid:-
Close up:-
My friend leaning against one:-
Me trying to pretend that I was doing a bit of spiky tree hugging, which was a massive fail given how much my body simply refused to get any closer:-
Good grief – how pathetic is this?
Just look how much braver she was!
The scenery during our hike up Pinnacle Peak:-
But where’s the tumbleweed? (and the cowboys on horseback?):-
The cracked earth close up (see previous post about water!):-
A teeny weeny person – which gives you a better idea of the perspectives:-
We got them to wave!
Still on the way up and getting hot!:-
The end, but we still had to turn round and climb back up!:-
Sarah Ebner
March 11, 2015These pictures are amazing. Scottsdale is one of those places I’d love to visit. I know I’d love the landscape – what a place to go for a walk in. xxx
Family Affairs
March 11, 2015Thanks I know – it’s really dramatic scenery x
Kelly
March 11, 2015What fantastic photos from your hike! That scenery is spectacular! xx
Family Affairs
March 12, 2015Thanks! Lx