Doggin' ' Phoenix: where you hiking with your dog in the Valley of the Sun

Encanto Park, an oasis for people is located in the heart of downtown Phoenix and dogs, named after the Spanish word for "enchanted." Acquisition of 222 acres began in 1934, through donations and land purchases. You can your dog in the Park at the 15 Avenue and Encanto Boulevard to the Palm studded lagoon walk, where the Sternwheeler "Encanto Queen" the gentle waters wrong.

South Mountain Park in the South Phoenix is actually three mountain ranges - Ma
Ha Tauk, Gila and Guadalupe - where prospectors probed for wealth in the early
1900s. the city of Phoenix bought 13,000 acres of land in 1924 for only
$17,000 by the Federal Government and the Park was on the way to the
largest city park in America.

The National Park Service has most of the development work, if the
Civilian Conservation Corps carved trails and picnic areas and built many of the
Park facilities.

This is pure Sonoran desert hiking - open, Rocky and hot. Canine hikers are recommended
dog-friendly South Mountain are shorter ways and there is too much
Select by less than two miles. You bring more water than you think, you need to and
Watch the paw pads especially for your dog. Get the rocks and packed earth
murderous hot.

If reasonable precautions in the desert, go to the be taken into account
South Mountain is suitable for almost all dog. The highest point you reach on
Base Dobbins lookout is 2,330 metres, and steep climbs are spread out over the park
Route.

The national trail runs through the spine of the park for more than 14 miles and
for loops can be used. You will move, when carved rocks and cliffs in the middle of a desert
Area of more than 300 species of plants.

You expect to adopt a pack mentality, if your dog to South Mountain Park
more than three million walkers try their routes each year. To reach South Mountain
Park Drive South to the Central Avenue to the entrance of the Park.

Copyright 2006

Doug Gelbert is author of more than 20 books, including the canine Hiker?s Bible. To his free newsletter on hiking with your dog, subscribe and get a copy of the rules for dogs in 100 of the most popular National Park Service countries, in the warmer months, which he leads hikes for hikewithyourdog.com tours canine, dogs and people on hiking adventure, visit http://www.hikewithyourdog.com/. Tours of excursions up to several days exploring, visit parks, historic sites and beaches.