Glendale, Arizona (February 9, 2025) I zigged when I should have zagged, and when I did, I “lost” the loop trail I intended to hike. This happened about a quarter mile into my hike, soon after I stopped at this ramada (left-hand photo below) to dislodge a pebble inside the shoe on my right foot.
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There was a fork in the trail—the one you see in the top right-hand photo above—and I should have gone left, but instead I went right. There was no real reason for me to miss the left, as there was a trail marker that clearly pointed me in that direction. But trust me, I missed it (you can see the dismay in my face in the bottom right-hand photo--wink wink) and when I did, I was on the H-1 Trail that headed to a point unknown.
There were two reasons I should have known I had gone the wrong way...and it should have been quickly obvious to me. First, the trail I was on skirted the base of the hill I intended to climb. I knew Arrowhead Point Loop climbed the hill because I’ve hiked it before, the last time maybe five or six years ago. But there I was, on a flat terrain south of the hill. Second, there was nobody else on the trail, despite 75 or so cars in the parking lot. Where is everyone, I wondered.
Still, I pressed on.
But eventually I consulted my AllTrails app—a great app for anyone who likes to “hit the trails”—and realized the error of my way. I turned around and retraced my steps to the fork, which added about a mile and a half to my overall hike this day, and from there I followed the trail—Arrowhead Point Loop—as it climbed the lower of two hills, each covered with a layer of lava rock, that made up Hedgpeth Hills in Thunderbird Conservation Park.
Well, no harm, no foul, I thought.
There were two reasons I should have known I had gone the wrong way...and it should have been quickly obvious to me. First, the trail I was on skirted the base of the hill I intended to climb. I knew Arrowhead Point Loop climbed the hill because I’ve hiked it before, the last time maybe five or six years ago. But there I was, on a flat terrain south of the hill. Second, there was nobody else on the trail, despite 75 or so cars in the parking lot. Where is everyone, I wondered.
Still, I pressed on.
But eventually I consulted my AllTrails app—a great app for anyone who likes to “hit the trails”—and realized the error of my way. I turned around and retraced my steps to the fork, which added about a mile and a half to my overall hike this day, and from there I followed the trail—Arrowhead Point Loop—as it climbed the lower of two hills, each covered with a layer of lava rock, that made up Hedgpeth Hills in Thunderbird Conservation Park.
Well, no harm, no foul, I thought.
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Thunderbird Conservation Park, which was created in the 1950s, comprises almost 1,200 acres “dedicated to preserving the desert environment” for outdoor enthusiasts. And thanks to the efforts of volunteers, there’s about 15 miles of multi-use trails for mountain bikers, horseback riders, joggers, bird watchers, and hikers.
The eight trail, which include Coach Whip, Flatlander, Desert Iguana, and Arrowhead Point, were rated ‘easy’ to ‘strenuous.’ Arrowhead Point Loop, which is 2.4 miles long with an elevation gain of 475 feet, was rated ‘moderate,’ and I thought this was a fair assessment...
The eight trail, which include Coach Whip, Flatlander, Desert Iguana, and Arrowhead Point, were rated ‘easy’ to ‘strenuous.’ Arrowhead Point Loop, which is 2.4 miles long with an elevation gain of 475 feet, was rated ‘moderate,’ and I thought this was a fair assessment...
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This is a nice, steady, non-strenuous climb to the summit for anyone who is somewhat active. The type of incline where you can hold a conversation all the way up. Slightly rocky in parts but manageable.
~AllTrails
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…although I might quibble with the “slightly rocky” part, as the trail is strewn with small and large rocks and stones—some were imbedded in the trail, while others sat atop the surface—that would be easy to stumble over and fall or to turn an ankle on. I did neither this day…but I was always mindful of where I stepped. (Well, except when I zigged where I should have zagged!)
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I followed the loop counterclockwise, which I think made for a somewhat steeper ascent as the trail seemed to rise to the summit over a shorter distance compared to the clockwise direction. Whether you hike counterclockwise or clockwise, you’ll love, as did I did, the views—like the one in the pic that follows—in all directions as you climb to the summit and then descend to the desert floor.
The park’s website lists the wildlife one might see—Sonoran Desert inhabitants that included rock squirrels, mule deer, bobcats, and many kinds of lizards, snakes, and birds. I didn’t cross paths with any wildlife, apart from an occasional bird, probably owing to the number of people on the trail this morning.
Most of these folks were hiking the trail, but there were also a few joggers. I marveled as I watched the joggers, and I wondered how they traversed the trail without tripping or sliding on a rock or stone. They’re made of sterner stuff than me, I thought.
Most of these folks were hiking the trail, but there were also a few joggers. I marveled as I watched the joggers, and I wondered how they traversed the trail without tripping or sliding on a rock or stone. They’re made of sterner stuff than me, I thought.
I checked the ‘My Elevation’ app when I reached the summit. I was 1,864 feet above sea level—but remember, this was less than 500 feet above the surrounding area. No need for a bottle of oxygen, I thought with a smile.
There were two things about the summit I liked.
The first was the views of Arrowhead Lakes, a neighborhood (to the south) known for its beautiful homes and scenic surroundings, including a 130-acre man-made lake. This lake, a rarity in the desert, was peaceful and serene.
There were two things about the summit I liked.
The first was the views of Arrowhead Lakes, a neighborhood (to the south) known for its beautiful homes and scenic surroundings, including a 130-acre man-made lake. This lake, a rarity in the desert, was peaceful and serene.
The second was the American flag that flew atop a flagpole planted in a pile of rocks. This flag, part of the Thunderbird Mountain Flag Project, was “raised during a special ceremony on November 10, 2018, hosted by the Glendale Chamber’s Military & Veterans Affairs Committee.”
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It serves as a tribute to those who have served and are serving in the U.S. Armed Services. It’s a point of pride for the community and a beautiful spot to visit.
~ Glendale Chamber of Commerce
The American flag, with only a bit of flutter in it from what I would describe as a mild breeze, was a beautiful sight to see on this near picture-perfect morning!
Thunderbird Conservation Park, which took its name from the nearby World War II pilot training facility, is a very popular area for hiking and other outdoor activities, and it’s certain I will soon be back to tackle its other trails. Until then, “Happy Trails to You!”
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