Desert Lessons: Confidence, Curiosity, and the Beauty of the Trail

Phoenix, Arizona (April 4, 2025) They say the journey is its own reward—but what happens when the path takes an unexpected twist?

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An Anecdote from the Trail

Excited to test my limits, I chose the Maricopa-Butterfield-Gadsden-Desert Rose trail—a name almost as long as the hike itself.  If I passed, I’d hike longer distances (for me) more often—and if I failed, I’d stick to 3 to 5 miles hikes.

I set out at a good pace—a bit north of 3 MPH—which I maintained for 4 miles. At 4 miles, I checked the AllTrails map, which I kept open on my phone.
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Hmm...that’s strange, I thought. According to the map, it looked like I was only halfway to the turn around point on this 8-mile out-and-back trail. And then my next thought was, Something’s wrong.

I clicked back a screen to look at the ‘trail fundamentals’—distance, elevation gain, etc.—and that was when I discovered, to my horror, the error of my ways. This trail was 8 miles point-to-point, not out-and-back, meaning it ended at a different location than I started from.

And then it hit me. If I had kept walking, I’d find myself 8 miles from my starting point with no way back—other than to hike, and another 8-mile hike was well beyond my ability.

“Oh, no!” I exclaimed—out of frustration with myself more than anything else. Then I laughed at my mistake and turned back to complete an 8-mile out-and-back hike. 

In conquering this distance, I found strength I was a stronger hiker than I thought!  

I Enjoyed an Invigorating Workout in the Great Outdoors

So, now you know: I didn’t hike the Maricopa-Butterfield-Gadsden-Desert Rose trail—but what trail did I hike instead? The route I followed wove through segments of Quail Trail, Rainbow Valley Trail, Butterfield Trail, and Gadsden Trail, and each trail offered its own flavor of desert beauty. 

But here’s something all the trails had in common: they were made of hardpack dirt that gently rolled through the rugged desert landscape—making them a favorite with mountain bikers—with no more than a few hundred feet of overall elevation gain. If this were the sole basis for rating my route, I’d designate it “easy.”

But there were two other factors that impacted on my workout—length and pace. 

I’ve touched on the distance—8 miles—which was a couple of miles longer than my longest hike the past 5 or 6 years. And the further I hiked, the faster my heart beat.

As for pace, I average 2.8 MPH over the 8 miles—somewhat faster going out than coming in, as I had more energy front end than I did after the halfway point of my hike. Still, my pace was a few tenths of a mile faster than my normal walking speed—and this, too, elevated my heart rate. 

I felt exhilarated, not just by the hike itself, but by realizing I could push my boundaries farther than I thought possible!

I Was Inspired by the Beauty of Nature’s Wonders 

Few places inspire me quite like the desert, with its unmatched beauty, geological wonders, and rich ecosystem. I loved the warm hues of the desert landscape, the saguaro that stood as silent guardians of the trail, and the jagged peaks of mountains that reached high into the sky.  

These were the sights I saw as I hiked in Estrella Mountain Regional Park— the first regional park established (1954) in the Maricopa County Park System. It spans nearly 20,000 acres, and it showcases the beauty of the Sonoran Desert.

I explored the desert landscape as I hiked, and I couldn’t resist capturing these moments in photos, which speak of the wonders I saw far better than I could in words. 

I Discovered Something New

I’m a curious explorer by nature, always eager to learn—even out on the trail.

I was aware of something called the Maricopa Trail—after all, I’d often seen the trail markers (like the one in this photo) on my hikes across greater Phoenix—but I really didn’t know what it was.

When I finished my hike, I stopped in the Visitor Center to see if I could satisfy my curiosity.  

“I see signs for the Maricopa Trail,” I said to the docent on duty. “But I don’t know much about it. Can you tell me?”

“I’d be happy to,” she replied. “It’s a remarkable 315-mile loop that connects 10 regional parks in Maricopa County, including this park. The trail, which has a mix of terrains, is designed for hiking, biking, and horseback riding.”

“It sounds wonderful, but I’m intimidated by the distance,” I said.

She smiled before she replied. “The trail is broken into 29 segments to make it easier to explore. Most people tackle the trail one section at a time. Each segment, which vary in length and difficulty, connects key areas—parks, trailheads, and points of interest.”

As I listened, I realized the trail wasn’t as daunting as I’d imagined, and I knew I wanted to learn more.

She suggested I start with this short article, which appeared in Arizona Highways. There I found a map of the Maricopa Trail and other fascinating information.

Because I’ve seen the trail sign before, I knew I’d hiked sections—but not segments—of the Maricopa Trail. And now that I’ve learned I’m a stronger hiker than I thought, I have the confidence to dream bigger—big enough, I think, to tackle a segment (or two) of the Maricopa Trail in the months ahead.

Until next time, happy trails to you!