February 2, Squaw Peak (Piestawa) Hike

Up & out the door at 6:45am to meet up with the hiking group at Mike & Diane's to hike the Squaw Peak Circumference Trail, which is 3.7 miles. The mountain was called Squaw Peak, but was renamed Piestawa Peak in honour of the first female service personnel killed in Afghanistan.

At 8:25 we arrived at the trailhead with 16 hikers.

Shortly we met up with a man who had fallen, injuring his face, and was on his way back to the Ranger station. His face was bloody, as was the handkerchief he was carrying. Needed stitches!

Some of the group thought the trail was too strenuous and decided to take the Nature Trail.

It was a challenging hike, but by 9:32, we reached the summit, after scrambling over rocks & up steep inclines! Along the way we saw a coyote, but he wasn't interested in us!





Had a fabulous view of Phoenix.

Next was a steep climb to the "saddle". It resembled a goat path!

At 11:07, the last ones reached the saddle.

It was more difficult heading down to the parking lot!

When we returned to Mike & Diane's, Mike made us waffles for lunch, then we went to Fry's Electronics for a Wi-Fi booster and antenna. Hopefully this will work! We'll see........