Spring Break Trip Day 6

We are always looking for a good hike to get the legs moving and after some research we found the McDowell Senoran Preserve.  There are almost endless miles of looping trails that we were eager to give them a try.  Tara loves the cacti and dessert flowers, and it was fun to share these with the boys this time as usually she comes out to see her dad without us! 

Here are some great flowers along the way.  Tara and the boys found a nice trail called the Gateway Loop trail that took them up a nice little climb and then around the Gateway saddle.

Gage is up the trail standing next to these nice huge cacti.  We started early to try to beat most of the heat, which was a good plan because it definitely started to get hot by the end of the hike.

Here is a picture of Tara from the backside of the Gateway saddle looking back down towards the city.

This is a great picture with the Tara, Gavin, and Gage along the way back to the trailhead.

Once again, all smiles for these guys as they hike along.  While these guys took the Gateway loop, I found a 9.5 mile loop that went around Drinkwater and McDowell peaks with about 2500 ft. of elevation gain.  It was quite breathtaking but had some serious climbs in it.  I received some funny looks on the bike side running alone and around five miles out from civilization.  I actually finished ahead of these guys and then trekked a bit back up the trail to see if they were alright.  They turned out to be just fine but a little hot and a few slightly twisted ankles.  

After our hiking adventures, we headed back to the hotel for some pool time and food with Terry and Sandra.