I can’t believe it’s already mid July. This summer is passing by so quickly, although I can’t complain—I’ve had plenty of fun so far. Most notably, I spent my Fourth of July weekend—and a full week after—back in Iowa with family and friends and then had the opportunity to cover the National Junior Disability Championships in my old college town of Ames, Iowa. It was a blast, I met so many cool kids and am so glad I got to be a part of their experience.

But now I’m back in Arizona just sitting here in the 100+ degree heat, dreaming of the fall days full of hiking that are on there way. Since I’m incapable of hiking in this weather, I figured I would get my hiking fix by sharing past trails I’ve traveled with you guys. The Gateway Loop and Inspiration Viewpoint in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve are two of my favorites for sure.

The trail starts at the Gateway Loop trail head in north Scottsdale (which by the way, has the nicest trail heads equipped with maps, clean bathrooms and running water, swoon). There are several trail options from this location, including the well-known Gateway Loop. It’s a 4.5 mile that reaches 2,378 feet at the saddle. It’s a pretty manageable hike, definitely a workout, but nothing too strenuous. If you don’t work out regularly or haven’t hiked before, you would still definitely be able to tackle this loop with some pacing and lots of water.

If you are looking for a more challenging hike, Inspiration Point is the way to go. You can access this spot two different ways from the Gateway trail. When you reach the first fork you can go left for a straight 5.8 mile out-and-back to the 2,785 foot peak or you can tackle the loop and Inspiration Viewpoint by only adding about 2 miles if you take a right at the fork. You will reach the Gateway Saddle and then it will feel like you are going back down the loop. When you get to the next fork, take a right and it’s only about 1 mile to Inspiration.

Reaching Inspiration is very rewarding, but at a cost. The last half mile to the top is truly breathtaking, and not in the good kind of way. It gets very steep as you climb that last bit—the first time I hiked it, I stopped about every tenth of a mile to catch my breath. It took me a long time to get to the top, but it’s important to know your limits and stick to a pace that your body can handle. Getting to the top is not worth having to get rescued off the mountain if you are pushing yourself too hard. Remember, every step further you take, is another step you will have to retrace on the way back. If you are a regular hiker, this probably won’t be a problem for you. It doesn’t take too much conditioning to master it.

After huffing and puffing along the trail, a large boulder welcomes you to the Inspiration oasis. This was my favorite part of the secluded spot, carved on the rock read, “The heart sees, the eyes touch, the bones feel. Here the centuries gather. –Alberto Rios” The path then winds up to a bench overlooking the city-filled valley and around to another bench that is surrounded by other peaks and valleys filled with nature. What I love about this hike is the quiet getaway the top provides. Inspiration is definitely less traveled than Gateway, which is always crowded and is a popular tourist/family hike.

My method of choice is to start going right on the Gateway Loop, that way once I’ve made it to the saddle I can decide if I want to go further for a better workout and more peaceful experience, or if I’ve had enough and want to head back down. Either way, pack plenty of water, sunscreen and a couple of snacks never hurt!