Phoenix, Arizona, is home to many parks and hiking trails embedded within the city limits. One of these is the Piestewa Peak Recreation Area, which is fortunately located just a couple of miles from my house. Which means, I get to hike there often to appreciate the changes of season which, while subtle in a desert area like this, are nevertheless welcome.

A Walk Around Piestewa Peak

By: Paul S Cilwa	Occurred: 1/1/2009		Page Views: 1,711
Hashtags: #PiestewaPeak #Phoenix #Arizona #Zachary #Photography
We take our annual New Year's Day hike on a mountain located smack in the middle of the City of Phoenix.
Estimated reading time: 3 minute(s) (708 words)

Hey, what better way to start off the New Year than with an easy hike? It sure beats hanging around all day nursing a hangover! This year, Michael, Mary, Zachary and I decided to challenge the Piestewa Peak Circumference Trail. We got the exercise, sunshine, and above-the-pollution-line fresh air; you get the photos.

Bees and Blooms on Trail 302

By: Paul S Cilwa	Occurred: 3/9/2016		Page Views: 1,157
Hashtags: #PhoenixMountainsPreserve #Ella #Arizona #Travel #Hiking
The desert comes to life in spring.
Estimated reading time: 1 minute(s) (155 words)

For a change, I decided to hike Trail 302 with my grandson's dog, Ella, in the Phoenix Mountains Preserve. I expected to find a lot of flowers. For some reason, I did not expect bees.

Piestewa Peak Solo

By: Paul S Cilwa	Occurred: 3/12/2016		Page Views: 1,077
Hashtags: #Places #Photography #PhoenixMountainsPreserve #PiestewaPeak #Arizona
All the photos I took while hiking the Piestewa Peak Summit Trail.
Estimated reading time: 4 minute(s) (904 words)

A little over five years ago, I came down with an infection by flesh-eating bacteria. I was given a 20% chance of survival, spent two days in a coma, and all the skin and half the fascia were removed from my lower left leg, from just below the knee. There was a very real chance I would never walk again. But that was then, and this is now.