Our 2024 Hiking Adventures: Exploring the Beauty of Nature Together
This year has been one for the books! My husband and I set out to embrace the outdoors, reconnect with nature, and challenge ourselves through some incredible hiking adventures. From snow-covered trails to breathtaking mountain vistas, we’ve walked through every season and terrain imaginable. Each step has reminded us of the beauty, resilience, and joy that comes from staying active and living a life filled with exploration.
The Journey Begins: A Snowy Start in February
We kicked off 2024 with some chilly treks! A visit to Tonto Natural Bridge State Park in Payson, Arizona (0.4 miles) allowed us to take in the beauty of the waterfall above the canyon, framed by snowy landscapes. The next day, we braved the snow-covered Horton Creek Trailhead and Derrick Trailhead, located in Tonto National Forest (5.5 miles), where we even spotted bear prints—a humbling reminder of the wildlife that shares these spaces with us.
Springtime Adventures: Blooming Trails and Scenic Views
Spring brought new adventures and warmer weather. We explored Treasure Loop in Lost Dutchman State Park, part of the Superstition Mountains/Wilderness (March 17), and later enjoyed short but memorable walks at Slide Rock State Park near Sedona (0.25 miles) and Christopher Creek near Payson (1.0 mile). Although snow still lingered on the Mogollon Rim, our trek around Christopher Creek (0.5 miles) was serene and refreshing.
April was a standout month for us. A sunrise trek at Brown Trailhead in Apache Junction (0.9 miles) set the tone for a challenging afternoon hike up Praying Hands to Massacre Falls by way of Treasure Loop Trail in the Superstition Mountains/Wilderness (9 miles). Later that month, we completed a breathtaking 13-mile loop around