One of the Top 10 Hikes in America

Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness

Just 60 miles north of Tucson, AZ there is one hike I do every year. This breathtakingly scenic hike ventures into Aravaipa Canyon. I love this hike and the reasons are simple, you can never get enough! This hike is workable for the whole family. These nearly 20,000 acres of canyon wilderness was once part of a large area ruled by Apache Chief Ezkiminzin. 

Today Aravaipa Canyon is cared for by the Bureau of Land Management. You must log into their website to arrange for permits to camp or hike into the canyon. There is a limit of 15 permits issued per day at each end of the 15 mile canyon. I prefer entering the canyon from the West entrance. The best times of year to enter the canyon are in the Spring, Summer or Fall. I prefer the month of May or early June. Mind the monsoons in August to avoid a 20 foot wall of water chasing you out of the canyon.

From Tucson (70 miles, 1.5 to 2 hours): Take US Highway 77 through Oracle Junction to the Aravaipa Road (8 miles north of Mammoth). Turn right on Aravaipa Road and go 12 miles to the trailhead along a paved and graded dirt road. From the trailhead, it is a 1.5-mile hike through Nature Conservancy land to the west wilderness boundary. It will be hot at the trail head however, once you make it down into the canyon there is a natural air conditioned effect from the breezes gently blowing off the stream, it feels amazingly refreshing. Your nose will be pleased from the scents coming off of the varied array of riparian vegetation as well.

You will want to pay special attention to your footwear on this hike as much of it will be in a stream and that means wet feet. Do not wear swim or water slippers as they will fill with sand and become very uncomfortable fast. I recommend using a hiking boot with good ankle support. I also use custom insoles for added stability,support and comfort. I recommend the custom orthotics that are made from impressions of your feet and not the over the counter insoles. You will need sunscreen, a few first aide items, a wide brim hat, a towel, something to swim in and of course lots of water and snacks. A camera and binoculars are also recommended. You will want to find a nice walking cane along the hike to help you balance while traversing the stream. Since you will be hiking in water a good bit of the time, try a DryMax sock. These socks are designed to keep your feet dry and will help prevent soggy feet syndrome. You also must be aware of the wildlife as you are funneled into the canyon together with other living creatures. I have seen many Javalina. Pay no mind and you should be fine. Finally, remember the motto, pack it in, pack it out. Now you are ready.

You can take your time and hike as far in as you wish. There are several beautiful resting/swimming spots along the first 3 mile stretch, pick one and settle in for a snack, a rest and a well deserved cooling down swim. The water is refreshing and feels great on a hot day and there is no better way to cool down. The further you hike in the higher the surrounding canyon walls become. At mile 6, about half way through the canyon you will be confined by canyon walls on each side of you reaching as high as 300 feet. F-16 fighter jets out of Tucson have been known to make the dive into the canyon.

Aravaipa creek flows all year long through the canyon. There are as many as 9 side canyons worth exploring as well. Remember, there are no designated trails, signs or facilities of any kind. You will be in the Wilderness, expect the wild! If you love nature, the outdoors and love the water this hike is worth doing every year no matter how far you must travel to get here.

Happy trails!

One of the Top 10 Hikes in America

Chiricahua National Monument

By John R Allison

This 12 mile round trip hike into the Heart of Rocks in the Chiricahua mountain range is simply put, one heck of a spectacular trek that needs to be on every avid hiker’s buck list.

The National monument is located 120 miles Southeast of Tucson Arizona. The rock formations in these canyons were carved by ice and water from layers of rhyolite, which was originally ash blown out during the Turkey Creek Volcano eruption 27 million years ago. Stop at the Ranger's Station for a map.

This mountain range was also home to the last bands of Native Americans to surrender; the Chiricahua Apache, Geronimo and Cochise among them. In 1886, after their final surrender, all remaining Apaches were sent off to Florida, then to Oklahoma to live on reservations.

 

I parked my vehicle at Massai Point and began my hike at 9:00am.  Not even to the trail head yet and I see what I learn are a family of coatimundi, mammals of the raccoon family with long tails. 

After the first mile you begin to realize how easy it would be, if you were an Apache and lived in these mountains, to elude an army of 5,000 US soldiers searching for you. You begin to see some truly amazing rock formations towering all around you.

The Heart of Rocks Loop was my goal. I took the Ed Riggs Trail to the Hailstone Trail and followed it to the Sarah Deming Trail 6.0 miles in and you reach the Heart of Rocks. The air couldn’t be fresher, the breathtaking views and the moderate temperature made me think that it just doesn’t get any better than this.  During my 12 miles both in and out I ran into 3 parties of 2 or more, friendly, happy hikers….like meeting in heaven.

Below is the rock formation known as Punch and Judy, husband and wife arguing.

The Heart of Rocks is about a 1/3 mile loop with some really amazing rock formations and a fine place to rest, call it halftime and fuel up with food and water. Bring a recorder or a flute and commune with the Apache spirits. Whatever you do, just go. The memories will last a lifetime.

In the foreground above you can see a formation that resembles the resting head of Apache Chief Cochise, as he is buried in an unknown location in the Chiricahuas.

My survival gear consisted of a 72oz camel pack of water, 4 energy bars, one banana, one orange, sunscreen, a hat, hiking boots, a simple first aide kit, a flashlight, a lighter, compression socks and custom insoles. Now most of this is simple common sense for an experienced hiker. I discovered compression socks through a Tucson based hiking club and I gave them a try. After hiking12 miles you will know that they make a big difference at the end of the day. I also discovered that custom insoles, made from impressions of each of your feet, have great benefits both for stability and comfort during a good hike. There you have it.

Happy hiking!

p.s. There are abundant camping grounds for an overnight stay in the canyon if you desire.

Tips to surviving your trip to New York City

Big Apple Hiking

I was born in Manhattan and spent 35 years discovering its secrets. So, if you are planning a trip to NYC I have a few travel tips that may make your trip more comfortable and enjoyable. 

You can research what to do all you want on-line. The best information will come from New Yorkers themselves. So, if you have any friends or relatives living in NY, contacting them for general advice will be helpful.

First, New York City is not the New York City it was 25 years ago. No more “scary” neighborhoods. Gentrification and economics have changed that, along with Rudy Guiliani who received most credit for turning 42^nd street from a hellish environment to a Family friendly place to be. 

Tourism is NYC’s #1 industry. You will not be alone as an outsider. You will hear 15 different languages spoken on a 30 minute stroll down Madison Avenue if you keep your ears attentive.

So lucky you, you are on your way to NYC, a safe place, a wild place, a tourist destination for the entire world. Your first stop, either Kenndy or LaGuardia Airport will be bustling with movement and activity. Don’t let it change your style, take it all in, take time to smell the roses.

I recommend that first time visitors stay in the Times Square vicinity. This way you will feel like you are in the center of the universe and you will only be a short walk to Theaters, Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, Radio City, Rockefeller Center, shopping and restaurants galore!

Once situated at your hotel, take a walk to the nearest Deli and get a coffee and the Village Voice, a free newspaper with pages and pages of local stories and events about town.

If you do not already have one, obtain a subway map of the city. Manhattan is one of the easiest places to figure out. Streets are numbered and run East and West. Avenues are numbered (and named) and run North and South. All laid out, for the most part, in a perfect grid. 33^rd and 3^rd, means 33^rd Street and 3^rd Avenue.

Now that you are ready to take on Manhattan I have a few suggestions for things not to miss out on. Here are my favorites: The observation deck of the Empire State Building on 34^th street.

Don’t miss the 9/11 Memorial in lower Manhattan, you WILL be moved. After your visit there, walk East, past the Stock Exchange and to The South Street Seaport, a shopping dining and entertainment extravaganza on the pier over the East River.

Weather will not be a factor. If it is too hot or you are too cold, open any door, just a few feet away at any given time there is bound to be an indoor shopping opportunity that will be the perfect temperature.

I would not worry too much about food and places to eat. There are way too many terrific choices; however, I would recommend getting breakfast at a Deli. You will pay about $6 for eggs and bacon on a kaiser roll, orange juice and coffee. If you prefer a $20 breakfast, well, they are abundant. 

For all pizza aficionados, try one of John’s BrickOven Pizza locations, simply the best! 

Known to be the best bakery in Manhattan, Veniero’s Italian Bakery on 11^th Street will have you drooling upon entry. There you can get pastry, cakes, pie, cookies and all sorts of delectable items to choose from.

When it comes to eating in NY, I might only suggest, try something new, there are boundless opportunities to excite your palate.

My final point, and perhaps the most important, is the fact that you will be walking great distances. No doubt your hiking around Manhattan will be eventful as eye candy is bountiful. You may not even realize it but at the end of the day you may have clocked 4 to 6 miles strolling the sidewalks of the big apple. Select your footwear accordingly. I would suggest your most comfortable walking shoe or sneaker. Remember, when you awake on your 2^nd day, you will be hiking all over again. To help avoid tired legs I recommend the following two items that will ensure happier feet and legs throughout your time in the city, compression socks and a custom fit insole made from an impression of each of your feet. Compression socks help by increasing blood and oxygen flow to your muscles and you will appreciate the difference they will make.

Custom fabricated insoles will assist in stabilizing your foot and will give you the highest level of comfort for your feet.

I mention these two items because after countless times hosting friends and relatives, touring the Big Apple, I know the value of being comfortable on your feet. Do not let your biggest memory of your time in NYC be tired legs and feet. New York is a get up and go town. New York City is a Walkers town.

There you have it. Now go venture forth and have a great and memorable time in Manhattan!

Keeping up with the kids at Disney World

You started planning your family vacation over 9 months ago. The day before you leave for 5 days in Disney Theme Parks the kids are ecstatic, your heart is pumping and you are praying that all goes smooth. After all, it is supposed to be fun, the time of our lives!

At 55 years old, and 5 trips to the Magic Kingdom and beyond I can speak from experience. Of course if you are a teenager you may disregard these tips, you are young and will only understand later when age catches up to you and you have to remind yourself, "I am no longer a teenager."  For the rest of us, the wise ones in charge here, I have some tips that I would like to share.

First is your state of mind. The kids are watching you and following your lead. Start at the departing airport. The terminal might look and feel frantic but do not let that rub off on you. Pay extra attention to your kids. Have them lead you to your gate. Sometimes, especially in New York, I pretend to take an imaginary Valium, just to keep me steady, calm and relaxed for my journey. Remember, letting the kids take lead roles here and there with close supervision builds there self confidence. Once you get the the Disney Theme parks you will further want to encourage them to take off on their own just so you get a bit of down time to charge your batteries. If after the first day in a theme park, the kids hit the bed and are fast asleep in 2 minutes, you have done your job well!

So, here are a few tips I would like to share. Plan ahead. Disney will ship you cool detailed maps of all theme parks. Have a general plan. Remind the kids it is a "general" plan and deviations are welcome. Get your Maps here!

Learn how the EZ Pass works and use it often. This is helpful when the parks are full.

As for yourself, the adults in charge here, you will want to carry your own lightweight backpack. Here is what I put in mine. Suntan lotion, a hat, my favorite snacks, water, small first aide kit, camera accessories, two cheap/disposable rain ponchos and hand sanitizer. I wear a bright and light weight shirt. It will be comfortable in the heat and easily visible for the kids. I wear a high grade graduated compression socks. Compression socks have many benefits for us at times when we are on our feet all day long. They improve circulation in the legs and you will praise them after your first long day on your feet.

Now, and probably most important is your footwear. Please NO flip flops or you will not last a day! Go for a mid to high end runners sneaker that fits you like a glove. I usually purchase a Brooks sneaker and remove the insole and replace it with a custom insole. Custom insoles are made to the exact contours of each of your feet so they offer the most comfortable ride available in footwear. The last thing you need is a blister and anything other than comfortable feet and legs.

Now that you have everything you need and are comfortable, you can turn your attention to the kids and make sure they are having the time of their lives. Their feet may wear out by the end of a long day, but be sure, by morning, they will be raring to go again! Cover some of these essential tips and you'll be sure to have a great time with the kids.