After a comfortable night's sleep and omelets for breakfast, we put on our hiking shoes and walked from the resort through a tunnel under the roadway into the Phoenix Mountains Preserve - North Mountain and Shaw's Butte Preserve.
Given the admonishment on the sign, we were glad we each had water with us.
We followed Trail 100 until it intersected Trail 306 which ascended Shaw's Butte. (trail map)
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| Shaw's Butte |
The ascent proved demanding, as attested to by the fact that the only pictures I took were on the way back down.
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| The highest point in the climb. |
Ah, the blessed relief of gravity become a friend rather than an opponent.
It did not look like a Christmas Tree, but someone who hikes the trail regularly told Pam that from Thanksgiving through Christmas many people hiking the trail hang a Christmas ornament on it.
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| The Christmas Tree |
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| Supposedly this rock was brought up from the valley many years ago by Native Americans and accurately measures the Spring and Fall Equinox. |
At the base of the butte, we followed Trail 100 back to the visitor's center and onward to the resort. We were soon changed and by the pool.
For Easter dinner, we ascended to the Point of View Restaurant at the upper end of the resort. We had a great meal with an equally great view.
As sunset neared, we wanted around the property a bit before settling down at a table near one of the pools until well after dark.
It was a good day.
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