More Adventures in February

February I did a few other new things besides the Heard Museum/Hoop Dance Competition. I also hiked a new trail at South Mountain, Morman Trail / Fat Mans Pass.  I love hiking and finding new trails is always FUN. This trail has been on my list for a while and finally went for my birthday weekend 🙂 This is a fun hike; beautiful views; and there is a tunnel you can go in and explore. and then when you get to Fat Mans pass there is a spot you can slide thru, its really smooth when you go thru it. If you don’t want to, you can go around it. ALWAYS remember to bring water and if its in the summer GO EARLY! Here are the directions how to get to the trailhead. Mormon Trail Driving Directions: 8610 S. 24th St., Phoenix, AZ. Drive south on 24th st. from Baseline road, 24th st. will curve to the left, then parking lot on the right (south) side of road is the Mormon trail parking trailhead. The Mormon Trailhead, located at the base of South Mountain near 24th Street and Valley View Avenue (south of Baseline Road), offers a short but challenging hike for those wanting to connect with the National Trail or Mormon Loop.  From this junction, hikers may proceed east on Mormon Loop toward Pima Canyon, or south and then west on the National Trail to access Fat Man’s Pass, Hidden Valley, and the Natural Tunnel. Distance: 1.2 miles (to Mormon Loop Junction), 1.5 miles to National trail junction Difficulty:  Moderate to difficult Elevation Change: Approximately 1,000 feet.   I live pretty close to South Mountain in Phoenix, so I do love exploring the new trails. I do not know of any trails/parks in the Phx area that you have to pay for, which is awesome.  But if they did ever charge I’d gladly pay a year fee to keep the parks beautiful!!!!  Here is a link to the Phoenix Parks website: http://phoenix.gov/parks/trails/locations/south/hiking/