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Es werden Posts vom Februar, 2020 angezeigt.

Lousley Hill Trail

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LOUSLEY HILL:  McDowell Mountain Regional Park. A hiker and his dog look out over the Verde River Valley Finding a quiet place in McDowell Mountain Regional Park in Fountain Hills isn’t always easy. With its long, flowing trails the 21,099-acre Maricopa County park in Fountain Hills is popular with mountain bikers, hikers and equestrians. A rock stack marks the summit of Lousley Hill Outfitted with camp sites, picnic areas, playgrounds and family-friend amenities and events, the park is a very busy place in Arizona’s cooler months. Still, solitude can be found, if you know where to look. The area is recovering from a 1996 wildfire The 1.2-mile Lousley Hill Trail is an under-the-radar gem that’s perfect for escaping the crowds.   The quiet trail offers easy access, a mild climb and scenic vistas of the Verde River Valley, McDowell Mountains and distant wilderness peaks. From the trailhead, a short access path crosses a sandy wash shaded by a mesquite trees to connect with the loop porti

Ryal Canyon Trail

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RYAL CANYON:  Prescott National Forest High desert vegetation lines the Ryal Canyon Trail  Up until last year, gaining access to one of the most challenging hikes in the Camp Verde area was an iffy venture. Although the Ryal Canyon Trail 521 terminus is located right off Salt Mine Road just a few miles southeast of town, hikers had to cross private property to get to it.   The landowner was pretty chill about allowing people to walk the few yards between the road and the Prescott National Forest boundary where the trail begins, but the town of Camp Verde decided to do the right thing and make access to the popular multi-use trail legal. Fractured earth and white cliffs on Ryal Canyon Trail With a grant provided by Arizona State Parks and Trails and the Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Fund, the city purchased a 4.4 acre buffer zone from the privately-owned Salt Mine Cattle Company.   The hike begins at the boundary of Prescott National Forest The purchase and subsequent development of a