<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0" xmlns:g="http://base.google.com/ns/1.0" xmlns:c="http://base.google.com/cns/1.0">
	<channel>
		<title><![CDATA[Phoenix Area and Central Arizona]]></title>
		<description><![CDATA[ArizonaHiking.org]]></description>
		<link>https://www.arizonahiking.org/</link>
										<item>
				
				<guid>https://www.arizonahiking.org/?view=article&amp;id=440:westwing-mountain&amp;catid=83:phoenix-area-and-central-arizona</guid>
				<title><![CDATA[WestWing Mountain]]></title>
				<link>https://www.arizonahiking.org/?view=article&amp;id=440:westwing-mountain&amp;catid=83:phoenix-area-and-central-arizona</link>
				<description><![CDATA[
								 Hike on West Wing Mountain near Phoenix, Arizona.   We had hiked the Sunrise Mountain trail and really enjoyed it. Then we realized there was another set of...				]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[Phoenix Area and Central Arizona]]></category>
				<pubDate>Sun, 11 Jan 2015 22:38:00 +0000</pubDate>
				<g:id>440</g:id>
                <g:publish_date>2015-01-11</g:publish_date>
                                					<g:image_link>https://www.arizonahiking.org/media/reviews/photos/original/a2/35/f6/440_p1110004-1421015981.jpg</g:image_link>
                                
				                   <c:howtogetthere>                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[To get to the trailhead: from the Phoenix area, take I-17 North to the HWY-101 loop. Take the HWY-101 loop West to the 75th avenue exit. Go right (North) on 75th Avenue to Deer Valley Road. Turn left onto Deer Valley Road and then make a right onto 83rd Avenue. Take 83rd Avenue North and drive until the street changes names to Westwing Parkway. On your left you&#039;ll see Westwing Elementary school at the intersection of Westwing Parkway and High Desert Drive. Continue on Westwing Parkway through this intersection another 0.3 miles and park at the Westwing residential park on the left. Just so you don&#039;t get confused, High Desert Drive crosses Westwing Parkway at two locations. At the park is restrooms and water. If this parking area is full, you can park at the elementary school (but only on weekends). ]]></c:value>
                                          </c:howtogetthere>                                    <c:city>                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[peoria]]></c:value>
                                          </c:city>                                    <c:state>                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[az]]></c:value>
                                          </c:state>                                    <c:region>                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[Phoenix Area and Central Arizona]]></c:value>
                                          </c:region>                                    <c:distance>                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[4.5000000]]></c:value>
                                          </c:distance>                                    <c:hikedistancedetails>                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[The loop hike (along with the spur trails) described is 4.5 miles.]]></c:value>
                                          </c:hikedistancedetails>                                    <c:time>                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[2.5000000]]></c:value>
                                          </c:time>                                    <c:timedetails>                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[It took us two and a half hours of hiking.]]></c:value>
                                          </c:timedetails>                                    <c:elevationchange>                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[600]]></c:value>
                                          </c:elevationchange>                                    <c:elevationdetails>                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[Since there is a good bit of up and down on this hike, you&#039;ll be gaining and losing about 600 ft of elevation. ]]></c:value>
                                          </c:elevationdetails>                                    <c:hiketype>                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[Lollypop Loop]]></c:value>
                                          </c:hiketype>                                    <c:bestseason>                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[January]]></c:value>
                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[February]]></c:value>
                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[November]]></c:value>
                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[December]]></c:value>
                                          </c:bestseason>                                    <c:worstseason>                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[June]]></c:value>
                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[July]]></c:value>
                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[August]]></c:value>
                                          </c:worstseason>                                    <c:seasondetails>                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[All year. Recommended after a rain in the spring for the wildflowers. (hike only during the cooler parts of the day in Summer)]]></c:value>
                                          </c:seasondetails>                                    <c:datehikecompleted>                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[2014-01-12 00:00:00]]></c:value>
                                          </c:datehikecompleted>                                    <c:solitude>                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[Low]]></c:value>
                                          </c:solitude>                                    <c:solitudedetails>                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[Not here. Expect to share the trails with 20-30 other hikers.]]></c:value>
                                          </c:solitudedetails>                                    <c:latitude>                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[33.7300000]]></c:value>
                                          </c:latitude>                                    <c:longitude>                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[-112.2500000]]></c:value>
                                          </c:longitude>                                    <c:difficultyrating>                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[Easy]]></c:value>
                                          </c:difficultyrating>                                    <c:difficultydetail>                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[It was a pleasant enough walk with a unique mixture of desert and urban feeling. This hike is rated Easy.]]></c:value>
                                          </c:difficultydetail>                                    <c:permitinfo>                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[none. ]]></c:value>
                                          </c:permitinfo>                                    <c:beawareof>                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[Some route finding. ]]></c:value>
                                          </c:beawareof>                 			</item>
						<item>
				
				<guid>https://www.arizonahiking.org/?view=article&amp;id=413:wild-horse-trail-lead-trail&amp;catid=83:phoenix-area-and-central-arizona</guid>
				<title><![CDATA[Wild Horse Trail (Lead Trail)]]></title>
				<link>https://www.arizonahiking.org/?view=article&amp;id=413:wild-horse-trail-lead-trail&amp;catid=83:phoenix-area-and-central-arizona</link>
				<description><![CDATA[
								 Hike along the Wild Horse trail (also known as the Lead trail) near Phoenix, Arizona.   Surprises are a part of hiking. Especially when adventuring on a trail...				]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[Phoenix Area and Central Arizona]]></category>
				<pubDate>Fri, 29 Nov 2013 20:32:00 +0000</pubDate>
				<g:id>413</g:id>
                <g:publish_date>2013-11-29</g:publish_date>
                                					<g:image_link>https://www.arizonahiking.org/media/reviews/photos/original/68/63/80/413_pb290009-1385757254.jpg</g:image_link>
                                
				                   <c:howtogetthere>                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[This hike is located near Mesa, AZ.

From the Phoenix area, take US-60 East to the Ellsworth Road Exit. Go North on Ellsworth Road. After passing McKellips Road, Ellsworth Road turns into Usery Pass Road. Follow this road 2.3 miles to the signed entrance of the Usery Mountain Recreation Area. Zero your odometer, stay on Usery Pass road, and drive another 2.4 miles to the parking area on your left. The parking area is not signed, so it is important to use the odometer to know where the trailhead start is.  ]]></c:value>
                                          </c:howtogetthere>                                    <c:city>                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[mesa]]></c:value>
                                          </c:city>                                    <c:state>                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[az]]></c:value>
                                          </c:state>                                    <c:region>                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[Phoenix Area and Central Arizona]]></c:value>
                                          </c:region>                                    <c:distance>                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[8.2000000]]></c:value>
                                          </c:distance>                                    <c:hikedistancedetails>                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[8.2 miles for the out and back described. ]]></c:value>
                                          </c:hikedistancedetails>                                    <c:time>                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[2.5000000]]></c:value>
                                          </c:time>                                    <c:timedetails>                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[It took us just over two and a half hours of hiking. ]]></c:value>
                                          </c:timedetails>                                    <c:elevationchange>                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[500]]></c:value>
                                          </c:elevationchange>                                    <c:elevationdetails>                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[A gradual 500 ft descent to the end of the trail. ]]></c:value>
                                          </c:elevationdetails>                                    <c:hiketype>                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[Out and Back]]></c:value>
                                          </c:hiketype>                                    <c:specialfeatures>                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[Wild Animals]]></c:value>
                                          </c:specialfeatures>                                    <c:bestseason>                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[January]]></c:value>
                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[February]]></c:value>
                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[March]]></c:value>
                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[November]]></c:value>
                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[December]]></c:value>
                                          </c:bestseason>                                    <c:worstseason>                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[July]]></c:value>
                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[August]]></c:value>
                                          </c:worstseason>                                    <c:seasondetails>                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[Particularly nice in the winter. ]]></c:value>
                                          </c:seasondetails>                                    <c:datehikecompleted>                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[2013-11-29 00:00:00]]></c:value>
                                          </c:datehikecompleted>                                    <c:solitude>                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[Medium]]></c:value>
                                          </c:solitude>                                    <c:solitudedetails>                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[While we were the only hikers, the trail is popular with mountain bikers. Expect to share the trail with around 10 mountain bikers. ]]></c:value>
                                          </c:solitudedetails>                                    <c:latitude>                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[33.5200000]]></c:value>
                                          </c:latitude>                                    <c:longitude>                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[-111.6200000]]></c:value>
                                          </c:longitude>                                    <c:difficultyrating>                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[Moderate]]></c:value>
                                          </c:difficultyrating>                                    <c:difficultydetail>                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[This is a moderate hike through the desert. Make sure you are comfortable with your route finding skills so you stay on the correct trail.  ]]></c:value>
                                          </c:difficultydetail>                                    <c:beawareof>                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[Route finding, popular with mountain bikers.]]></c:value>
                                          </c:beawareof>                 			</item>
						<item>
				
				<guid>https://www.arizonahiking.org/?view=article&amp;id=93:wind-cave&amp;catid=83:phoenix-area-and-central-arizona</guid>
				<title><![CDATA[Wind Cave (Usery mountain park)]]></title>
				<link>https://www.arizonahiking.org/?view=article&amp;id=93:wind-cave&amp;catid=83:phoenix-area-and-central-arizona</link>
				<description><![CDATA[
								 Hike to the Wind Cave in Usery Mountain park in Arizona.   This trail is well marked and just North of the East Valley. These two facts make...				]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[Phoenix Area and Central Arizona]]></category>
				<pubDate>Tue, 23 Apr 2013 19:34:00 +0000</pubDate>
				<g:id>93</g:id>
                <g:publish_date>2013-04-23</g:publish_date>
                                					<g:image_link>https://www.arizonahiking.org/media/reviews/photos/original/26/07/75/93_p4230014-1366745478.jpg</g:image_link>
                                
				                   <c:howtogetthere>                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[This hike is located near Mesa, AZ.

From the Phoenix area, take US-60 East to the Ellsworth Road Exit. Go North on Ellsworth Road. After passing McKellips Road, Ellsworth Road turns into Usery Pass Road. Follow this road about two miles to the entrance of the Usery Mountain Recreation Area. Turn right to enter the park. After you have paid your entrance fee ($6 as of April 2013), follow Usery Park Road to Wind Cave Drive. Parking can get crowded on weekends.  ]]></c:value>
                                          </c:howtogetthere>                                    <c:city>                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[mesa]]></c:value>
                                          </c:city>                                    <c:state>                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[az]]></c:value>
                                          </c:state>                                    <c:region>                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[Phoenix Area and Central Arizona]]></c:value>
                                          </c:region>                                    <c:distance>                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[3.2000000]]></c:value>
                                          </c:distance>                                    <c:hikedistancedetails>                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[1.6 miles to the Wind Cave. ]]></c:value>
                                          </c:hikedistancedetails>                                    <c:time>                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[1.5000000]]></c:value>
                                          </c:time>                                    <c:timedetails>                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[It took us 45 minutes to reach the Wind Cave.]]></c:value>
                                          </c:timedetails>                                    <c:elevationchange>                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[600]]></c:value>
                                          </c:elevationchange>                                    <c:elevationdetails>                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[about 600 ft gain.]]></c:value>
                                          </c:elevationdetails>                                    <c:hiketype>                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[Out and Back]]></c:value>
                                          </c:hiketype>                                    <c:bestseason>                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[January]]></c:value>
                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[February]]></c:value>
                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[March]]></c:value>
                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[October]]></c:value>
                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[November]]></c:value>
                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[December]]></c:value>
                                          </c:bestseason>                                    <c:datehikecompleted>                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[2013-04-23 00:00:00]]></c:value>
                                          </c:datehikecompleted>                                    <c:solitude>                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[Low]]></c:value>
                                          </c:solitude>                                    <c:solitudedetails>                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[This is not the hike for those seeking solitude. This area is extremely popular during weekends and holidays. Expect to meet 100-200 other hikers.  ]]></c:value>
                                          </c:solitudedetails>                                    <c:latitude>                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[33.4700000]]></c:value>
                                          </c:latitude>                                    <c:longitude>                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[-111.6100000]]></c:value>
                                          </c:longitude>                                    <c:difficultyrating>                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[Easy]]></c:value>
                                          </c:difficultyrating>                                    <c:difficultydetail>                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[It&#039;s not a difficult climb and the views are good. The problem with this hike is you have to share it with several hundred other people. This is an easy hike. ]]></c:value>
                                          </c:difficultydetail>                                    <c:beawareof>                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[Crowds, fee to enter the park ($6 as of April 2013)]]></c:value>
                                          </c:beawareof>                 			</item>
						<item>
				
				<guid>https://www.arizonahiking.org/?view=article&amp;id=507:yavapai-lookout-trail&amp;catid=83:phoenix-area-and-central-arizona</guid>
				<title><![CDATA[Yavapai Lookout Trail (Lake Pleasant)]]></title>
				<link>https://www.arizonahiking.org/?view=article&amp;id=507:yavapai-lookout-trail&amp;catid=83:phoenix-area-and-central-arizona</link>
				<description><![CDATA[
								 Hike the Yavapai Lookout trail near Lake Pleasant, Arizona.   From the signed trailhead for the Pipeline Canyon trail, hike into the desert surrounding Lake Pleasant. This trail...				]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[Phoenix Area and Central Arizona]]></category>
				<pubDate>Sat, 30 Apr 2022 21:06:37 +0000</pubDate>
				<g:id>507</g:id>
                <g:publish_date>2022-04-30</g:publish_date>
                                					<g:image_link>https://www.arizonahiking.org/media/reviews/photos/original/d8/68/04/20220430-105253-52-1651352813.jpg</g:image_link>
                                
				                   <c:howtogetthere>                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[This hike is located near Phoenix, AZ.

To get to the Trailhead: From the Phoenix area, take I-17 North to the Carefree highway exit (HWY-74). Turn West (left) and go about 11.5 miles. Turn into the park by Castle Hot springs road. Continue driving on Castle Hot Springs road past the Lake Pleasant Access road to Castle Creek Drive. Turn right onto Castle Creek Drive, then drive to Cottonwood lane. Turn right again and drive to the end of the road for the trailhead and parking. There is a restroom here. Note this is a fee area ($7 as of April 2022).]]></c:value>
                                          </c:howtogetthere>                                    <c:city>                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[carefree]]></c:value>
                                          </c:city>                                    <c:state>                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[az]]></c:value>
                                          </c:state>                                    <c:region>                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[Phoenix Area and Central Arizona]]></c:value>
                                          </c:region>                                    <c:distance>                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[3.0000000]]></c:value>
                                          </c:distance>                                    <c:hikedistancedetails>                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[The hike described is 3.0 miles to the lookout and back.]]></c:value>
                                          </c:hikedistancedetails>                                    <c:time>                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[1.0000000]]></c:value>
                                          </c:time>                                    <c:timedetails>                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[This hike took us just over an hour]]></c:value>
                                          </c:timedetails>                                    <c:elevationchange>                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[400]]></c:value>
                                          </c:elevationchange>                                    <c:elevationdetails>                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[About 400 ft of elevation change]]></c:value>
                                          </c:elevationdetails>                                    <c:hiketype>                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[Out and Back]]></c:value>
                                          </c:hiketype>                                    <c:specialfeatures>                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[Water]]></c:value>
                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[Wild Flowers]]></c:value>
                                          </c:specialfeatures>                                    <c:bestseason>                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[January]]></c:value>
                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[February]]></c:value>
                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[March]]></c:value>
                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[April]]></c:value>
                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[October]]></c:value>
                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[November]]></c:value>
                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[December]]></c:value>
                                          </c:bestseason>                                    <c:seasondetails>                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[Best hiked during cooler weather after some rain to see the wildflowers. ]]></c:value>
                                          </c:seasondetails>                                    <c:datehikecompleted>                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[2022-04-30 00:00:00]]></c:value>
                                          </c:datehikecompleted>                                    <c:solitude>                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[High]]></c:value>
                                          </c:solitude>                                    <c:solitudedetails>                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[Surprisingly good. On a sunny spring day we only saw five other hikers.]]></c:value>
                                          </c:solitudedetails>                                    <c:latitude>                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[33.8980620]]></c:value>
                                          </c:latitude>                                    <c:longitude>                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[-112.3169661]]></c:value>
                                          </c:longitude>                                    <c:difficultyrating>                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[Easy]]></c:value>
                                          </c:difficultyrating>                                    <c:difficultydetail>                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[The out and back described here is an Easy hike.]]></c:value>
                                          </c:difficultydetail>                                    <c:beawareof>                                                  <c:value><![CDATA[$7 fee to enter the park area]]></c:value>
                                          </c:beawareof>                 			</item>
						</channel>
</rss>