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Hikes
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Desert
Botanical Garden
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Hike
Description:
With the summer heat setting in, this month's
hike is being slowed down a bit to more of
a brisk walk, but it's a real treat. One of
the crown jewels of Phoenix, the Desert Botanical
Garden. Within sight of the red, rocky folds
of Phoenix's Papago Park, it's home to the
one of the world's largest and most diverse
collection of desert plants. A trip through
the Garden's meandering trails will show how
much life and beauty the desert holds. The
one-third mile Desert Discovery Trail winds
past thousands of plants, including more than
half the cactus, century plants, and aloe
species in the world. You can do it more than
once to get your mileage up, and you're guaranteed
to see things you missed on the first go-around.
Trails branch off to interpret other aspects
of desert life: the uses of plants by people,
interactions among plants and animals, desert
wildflowers, and landscaping and gardening
in the desert. All the trails have interactive
signs and guidebooks that identify and explain
the plants. Lighting on the main trail and
late closing hours allow for the unusual experience
of walking (or jogging) through the desert
at night. In summer the Garden opens at 7
a.m. to "beat the heat." What a
great place for an early morning speed walk!
Children receive the Garden's Desert Detective
Game Sheets to use along the Garden's trails,
so bring the kids for a great family activity.
The entrance fee ($7.50/adults, $3.50 kids
5-12) is worth every penny! |
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DIRECTIONS:
1201 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix (just south
of McDowell on 64th St.) |
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Distance
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Rating
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Time
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you
decide, there's miles of trails|
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Easy
(level and mostly paved)
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stands
still……...
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