Expedition to Lone Tree
Want to give thanks for 70 degrees and sunny skies this holiday? Come to Phoenix for a Sonoran Desert adventure. If you’re looking for more than your average hike, my newest adventure, Expedition to Lone Tee, will undoubtedly deliver.
Choose Expedition to Lone Tree to make sure your PTO time will pack a super healing power punch of Phoenix sunshine, desert, and new experiences. This adventure allows you to soak in the healing properties of the desert, explore the natural world with curiosity, challenge yourself physically, make unforgettable memories, and re-discover that outside is right where you belong.
The Adventure Begins
Imagine…it’s cold and rainy back home but you don’t even know because you’re at a remote trailhead outside Phoenix, ready to begin a desert adventure on a 70 degree sunny day. You’ve booked that PTO time – picking a physical challenge in the wilderness over pushing a few more piles of paperwork. You’ve chosen to explore the natural world rather than negotiate another spread sheet. Now the adventure begins.
You gain tons of elevation right away but you’re rewarded with amazing views of the Superstition Wilderness in return. The views draw you forward as you wonder what you’ll see when you get just a little higher. You’re not disappointed, the views get even more incredible as you climb. As your quads and lungs pump we continually check our GPS to ensure we’re sticking to the lightly traveled route.
Rock Scrambling and Route Finding and Rattlensakes, Oh My
As we move along the trail you keep your eyes open for a landmark called “Geronimo’s Cave.” When you spot it, you know we’re on the right track. Next your eyes move to the heavens where towering tips of rock formations meet white clouds against a blue sky. It feels like a city of volcanic skyscrapers. We check in with our GPS again as the brush gets higher and attempts to hide the trail.
As a shadow falls over your face you realize we’ve reached the great challenge of our adventure, Devil’s Slide. With your goal of the top in mind you ascend the 20-foot steeply angled rock face with confidence and stand boldly at the top or a triumphant photo. After that win we’re back to our GPS units for another look. Before your eyes can see it, you hear a rattle. A Western Diamondback rattlesnake slithers away in the opposite direction of your last step. Lone Tree is just ahead.
You finally reach Lone Tree. It is beautiful, not just because of the amazing expanse of Arizona backcountry before you, but because we’re past the half-way point. We take a break here; eating lunch on the rocks as we enjoy a view of Weaver’s Needle. As we sit, a pack of Javelina wander by but take no interest in us.
An Experience Only the Desert Can Provide
Back on the trail Freemont Saddle comes into view and you prepare for the downhill part of this adventure. Strolling down the mountain you’re surrounded by hoo doos, Saguaros, and much more vegetation. The trail is surprisingly shaded by Palo Verde and Sugarberry. There’s even a bit of water flowing. As you get lower and lower you come back to the trailhead where you began, a real-deal Sonoran Desert Wilderness Adventurer.
Back home it’s a little wet and cloudy as you look out your office window, but with thoughts of your sunny desert adventure close at heart, you’re still feeling warm and fuzzies from your Phoenix trip. With a sunkissed nose and forehead you dive into that spreadsheet with a thankful heart for 70 degrees, sunny skies, and a lonely little pinyon pine tree in the Arizona desert.
Back in Reality and Taking Action
Ok, back to the here and now. You’re still in the office but that can change. Just choose this new adventure to feel the sun, take in the natural world, challenge yourself physically, and make unforgettable memories. To keep the trail experience intimate and safe, I keep my expedition groups small so select the button below to view upcoming dates and book your real-life Expedition to Lone Tree experience.
Adventure Features:
- More than 1500ft of elevation gain for jaw dropping views
- Historic wild west location
- Immense beauty of the Sonoran Desert
- Close-up views of Weaver’s Needle
- Rock scrambling, including Devil’s Slide
Adventure Details:
- Distance: 5.5 miles
- Duration: 4-5 hrs
- Elevation: +1581 ft
- Rated: Hard
- Location: Superstition Wilderness
- Price per guest: $125
- 10% discount or groups