Let’s explore, play, and discover the natural world. Ready to travel through a natural rock tunnel, discover a petroglyph canyon, or conquer a challenging hike to the summit? Perhaps you need to ditch the digital noise and listen to what nature has to say. Join me for outdoor wellness in the Sonoran Desert. Choose from Outdoor Adventures, Outdoor Fitness, or Outdoor Healing experiences by selecting the drop down menus below.
Outdoor Adventures
Arizona Adventure Skills Experience
If you’re ready to confidently expereince and plan your own Arizona adventures, this experience is perfect for you. In this 3-hour experience, you’ll plan and execute a 4 mile adventure with my help. Along the way you’ll learn about the plants, animals, and geology of the desert. You’ll learn to orient your location with a map and compass. You’ll aslo learn how to use the natural landscape to determine direction. Once you’ve conquered this adventure, you’ll be a pro at the best practices for adventuring safely and sustainability.
- Distance: 3 miles round trip
- Duration: 2 hours
- Elevation: +300 ft
- Rating: Easy to Moderate
- Location: Javelina Trail, South Mountain, Phoenix
- Single Guest Price: $120
- Group Price Per Guest: $80
Conquer the Trail to Hidden Valley
The adventure starts with a climb and offers stunning views right away. On a clear day you can spot local landmarks like Four Peaks, Camelback Mountain, Piestewa Peak, Downtown Phoenix, and University of Phoenix Stadium.We’ll climb to Fat Man’s Pass, a narrow pass between two giant boulders, and into Hidden Valley. Then we’ll rock scramble a bit before we hike to a rock tunnel with ancient glyphs.If you’re looking to take advantage of the gorgeous weather, explore the history of the Hohokoam people, and see the stunning natural beauty of the Sonoran Desert, join me for Conquer the Trail to Hidden Valley. *Family friendly.
- Distance: 3.8 miles
- Duration: 3 hours
- Elevation: +958 ft
- Rating: Moderate
- Location: Mormon Trail, South Mountain
- Single Guest Price: $150
- Group Price Per Guest: $120
Sonoran Desert Nature Experience
Take 2 hours and 3 miles to get to know the Sonoran Desert. We’ll explore canyons and washes, learn about native plant and animals, and discover the history of the Hohokam people.We’ll see ancient petroglyphs, walk under hundred year old cacti, and search for purple sage. To explore the beauty and uniqueness of the desert, join me.
- Distance: 3 miles round trip
- Duration: 2 hours
- Elevation: +300 ft
- Rating: Easy to Moderate
- Location: Javelina Trail, South Mountain, Phoenix
- Single Guest Price: $120
- Group Price Per Guest: $80
Seeking the Summit
One of Phoenix’s most popular trails; this hike is an awesome physical challenge, due to the consistent climbing, but offers gorgeous panoramic view of the valley as a reward.We’ll begin our hike on an old concrete path that has evolved over the years into a mixture of broken concrete, gravel and dirt. As we climb “nature’s Stairmaster” the concrete path evolves to a well-worn mountain trail.Gaining even more elevation this tricky trail bends and curves within the mountain, hiding the summit from your view.We’ll do a bit of rock scrambling to get to the top, but once there, you’ll be in awe of the tranquil panoramic views of the valley. If you are looking for a triumphant experience and don’t mind heights or sharing the trail with lots of locals, this hike’s for you.
- Distance: 2.4 round trip
- Duration: 1.5 hours
- Elevation: +1,190 ft
- Rating: Moderate to difficult
- Location: Summit Trailhead, Piestewa Peak, Phoenix
- Single Guest Price: 125
- Group Price Per Guest: $115
The Freedom Experience
While Piestewa Peak is one of Central Phoenix’s most hiked mountains, the Freedom trail is the road less traveled. We’ll start on the East side of mountain and move counter-clockwise around the circumference. As we climb North Mountian will come into view.As we wind around the mountain on rolling trails views of the west valley open. After another awesome climb we’ll meet up with the Summit Trail and will begin to see many more people.As we come down the mountain again we’ll get phenominal views of South Mountain and then Flat Iron and the Superstition Wilderness.
- Distance: 3.6 mikes round trip
- Duration: 2.5 hrs
- Elevation: +1,105
- Rating: Moderate to difficult
- Location: Freedom Trailhead, Piestewa Peak, Phoenix
- Single Guest Price: $150
- Group Price Per Guest: $120
Science and Sunshine
Author and naturalist John Muir said “When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the Universe.” In this way, experiencing the interconnectedness of nature makes a child’s curiosity go viral.In this outdoor learning experience we’ll use a compass, binoculars, and a magnifying glass to let loose our natural desire to know. We’ll pause on the rocks to spend time drawing and reflecting on what we’ve see. If the students in your life are ready to ditch the digital noise, join me for Science & Sunshine. *Designed for ages 5-10. Parents can join for free, wait at the trailhed, or pick up and drop off at the trailhead.
- Distance: 2.2 miles
- Duration: 1.5 hours
- Elevation: +70 ft
- Rating: Easy
- Location: Pima Canyon Trail, South Mountain, Phoenix
- Single Guest Price: $80
- Price Per Guest in Group: $60
Sonoran Desert Family Adventure
Let your little ones explore, exercise, play, and discover the Sonoran Desert. We’ll find our way through a maze of desert trails. Along the way we’ll climb rocks made from magma and challenge ourselves to reach the summit, our highest point.We’ll also learn about the plant life, insects, and animals unique to the Sonoran Desert. *Designed for families/groups with children ages 4-10.
- Distance: 2.2 miles round trip
- Duration: 1.5 hours
- Elevation: +70 ft.
- Rated: Easy to moderate
- Location: Pima Canyon Trailhead, South Mountain, Phoenix
- Group of 5 Guests: $135
Outdoor Fitness
Mountaintop Circuit Training
We’ll begin this outdoor fitness experience with an energizing warm up. Next we’ll take in gorgeous city views while we complete a strength routine. Then we’ll challenge our cardiovascular system with a hill climbing hike. Finally we’ll focus on balance and flexibility as we cool down. Book this session to burn tons of calories in a beautiful setting and finish feeling accomplished.
- Distance: 2 Miles
- Duration: 1.5 hours
- 252 ft of elevation gain
- Rated: Moderate
- Location: South Mountain, Phoenix
- Single Guest Price: $80
- Group Price Per Guest: $60
High Intensity Hill Climbing
In this outdoor fitness experience we’ll challenge our cardiovascular and muscular systems with a hill climbing hike on a ridgeline. As we push up each hill our intensity will increase, while going downhill will offer a rest period and a chance to do a little trail running or boulder hopping, if you choose. Along the way we’ll take in gorgeous city views. Finally we’ll cool down as we hike through a flat canyon with the ridgeline we just conqured towering above.
- Distance: 3 Miles total
- Duration: 1.5 hours
- 252 ft of elevation gain
- Rated: Moderate
- Location: South Mountain, Phoenix
- Single Guest Price: $80
- Group Price Per Guest: $60
Outdoor Healing
Change your environment and change your perspective. Let’s venture into the desert to discover the healing power of nature. We’ll let our minds lose with wonder at the history, diversity, and vastness of it all. We’ll find inspiration in the sunrise and gorgeous panoramic views of the valley. We’ll discover peace and quiet atop a magma peak. We’ll walk quietly in expectation of a magical encounter with wildlife like the Gila Monster, Coyote, or Red Tailed Hawk. If you’re ready to experience the healing power of nature, join me for an Outdoor Healing in the Sonoran Desert.
Sonoran Desert Sunrise
Join me to see how the mountain changes as the moon gives way to the sun. We’ll start by going up high to pause in a perfect spot for the big show. After taking it all in, we’ll travel low into the wash for another perspective. Along the trail we’ll learn about the vegetation, geology, insects, and animals that surround us. Come witness the magic of sunrise in the Sonoran Desert.*Multiple trail options make this experience great for all fitness levels.
- Distance: 2.0 mi.
- Duration: 1.5 hr
- Location: South Mountain, Phoenix
- Eleation gain: 200ft
- Single Guest Price: $80
- Group Price Per Guest: $60
The Art of Seeing
Ditch the digital noise and escape to the natural world to practice the art of seeing. We’ll pause at 3 serene locations to take Naturalist-style field notes and observe, question, and reflect on the interconnections of the uniquely beautiful Sonoran Desert. As we hike along we’ll learn about the vegetation, geology, insects, and animals that surround us.The gorgeous panoramic views of the valley are a bonus. If you are looking for quiet moments in a serene, natural setting, join me for The Art of Seeing.
- Distance: 2.0 mi
- Duration: 1.5 hours
- Elevation gain: 200ft
- Rated: Easy to Moderate
- Location: South Mountain, Phoenix, AZ
- Single Guest Price: $80
- Group Price Per Guest: $60