In contrast to what many are convinced, the city of Phoenix in Arizona is located in one of the most geographically diverse areas in the US. Certainly, there's plenty of cactus and desert all over the area. But Phoenix and areas around one or two hours driving distance from Phoenix, are filled with a vast topography that includes desert, mountain ranges, and lakes. Though the the city and its instant surroundings can be oppressively hot during most of the time, there are a good deal of Phoenix natural landmarks that offer recreational opportunities. Such places as Piestewa Peak, situated in Phoenix Mountains Park, and Gatlin Site (situated near Phoenix) are very good Phoenix natural landmarks.
Piestewa Peak
In the vast Phoenix metropolitan area with a population of 1 million people is a mountain range known as the Phoenix Mountains. It happens to be one of the highest points in Arizona where you can hike to the top and enjoy monumental perspectives of the Phoenix area and beyond. Visitors can never believe being in the middle of one of the biggest built up areas in the U. S. and yet you may visit here for several hours feeling as if you've gone a million miles away from any the city. There is a surplus of plant life to enjoy, including mesquite and wildwood trees. Wildlife is also bounteous on the peak and the surrounding Phoenix Mountains Park which include gila monsters, coyotes and jackrabbits. Though hiking is the main activity here, the trek averages from comparatively simple to a touch difficult. It's straightforward enough for a family to enjoy on an outing.
Gatlin Site
This is another one of the natural landmarks in Phoenix that is at once both resplendent with natural beauty and historic interest. Much of it is very much aimed at those with an interest in archeology though there is a sense of wonder for anyone that has never seen it. There are old ruins such as mounds and irrigation canals that once served a much earlier civilization here. Nature has reclaimed much of it. Hikers are able to bring trowels to dig through the ruins. Much of the exploration is done on the interpretive trail where adventurers find many of the old ruins.
Camelback Mountain
Like Pietswa Peak, a lot of this mountain is in the city of Phoenix. It acquired its name from the peak's semblance to the form of a camel which includes the head and the hump. As one of the natural landmarks in Phoenix, there's plenty of foliage and animal-life to see. The largest activity is hiking. However , unlike Piestewa Peak, the hiking here is for the sturdier hiker or walker. The terrain is extremely steep and it can take nearly 3 hours solely to hike a trail that is hardly more than a mile long. It's extremely critical that any person hiking anyone of the two trails here carry enough water water during the hike and not risk dehydration or major sickness.
Piestewa Peak
In the vast Phoenix metropolitan area with a population of 1 million people is a mountain range known as the Phoenix Mountains. It happens to be one of the highest points in Arizona where you can hike to the top and enjoy monumental perspectives of the Phoenix area and beyond. Visitors can never believe being in the middle of one of the biggest built up areas in the U. S. and yet you may visit here for several hours feeling as if you've gone a million miles away from any the city. There is a surplus of plant life to enjoy, including mesquite and wildwood trees. Wildlife is also bounteous on the peak and the surrounding Phoenix Mountains Park which include gila monsters, coyotes and jackrabbits. Though hiking is the main activity here, the trek averages from comparatively simple to a touch difficult. It's straightforward enough for a family to enjoy on an outing.
Gatlin Site
This is another one of the natural landmarks in Phoenix that is at once both resplendent with natural beauty and historic interest. Much of it is very much aimed at those with an interest in archeology though there is a sense of wonder for anyone that has never seen it. There are old ruins such as mounds and irrigation canals that once served a much earlier civilization here. Nature has reclaimed much of it. Hikers are able to bring trowels to dig through the ruins. Much of the exploration is done on the interpretive trail where adventurers find many of the old ruins.
Camelback Mountain
Like Pietswa Peak, a lot of this mountain is in the city of Phoenix. It acquired its name from the peak's semblance to the form of a camel which includes the head and the hump. As one of the natural landmarks in Phoenix, there's plenty of foliage and animal-life to see. The largest activity is hiking. However , unlike Piestewa Peak, the hiking here is for the sturdier hiker or walker. The terrain is extremely steep and it can take nearly 3 hours solely to hike a trail that is hardly more than a mile long. It's extremely critical that any person hiking anyone of the two trails here carry enough water water during the hike and not risk dehydration or major sickness.
About the Author:
Helena Richese has been fascinated by Phoenix natural landmarks for years. She has written op-eds and editorial pieces for many online publications, plenty of which can on occasion be read here.
