Yesterday, Wynston and I went hiking at Usery Mountain Regional Park with my friend Katie and her dogs Chipper and Quinci. It was a brisk morning, especially as we got higher up in the mountain and the wind picked up – hence the name Wind Cave Trail I suppose! It was a 3.2 mile hike round trip through narrow paths and massive boulders. It’s definitely not a path for humans or dogs who may struggle with basic physical fitness. Wynston absolutely loved it. He jumped from boulder to boulder like it was no big deal. Enjoy the photos!









What a trooper Wynston is! I just love that first picture of all the dogs. I must admit I’m a bit jealous of you Arizona dwellers in the winter…it’s all snow & ice here with more on the way this week. My aunt lived in Phoenix for many years so I spent quite a bit of time there when I was younger. I do love the desert landscapes.
What a trooper Wynston is! I just love that first picture of all the dogs. I must admit I’m a bit jealous of you Arizona dwellers in the winter…it’s all snow & ice here with more on the way this week. My aunt lived in Phoenix for many years so I spent quite a bit of time there when I was younger. I do love the desert landscapes.
What a fun hike! These pictures make me miss California when we had year round hiking weather. It’s really hard to get a good hike in the Montana winter.
Funny you say that because Matt and I have been contemplating moving out of state to North Carolina but I just don’t know if we could leave this Arizona weather. (We have a home in CA also, but it’d be hard to drive there from NC!).
What a fun hike! These pictures make me miss California when we had year round hiking weather. It’s really hard to get a good hike in the Montana winter.
Funny you say that because Matt and I have been contemplating moving out of state to North Carolina but I just don’t know if we could leave this Arizona weather. (We have a home in CA also, but it’d be hard to drive there from NC!).
That looks like fun! You got some great pics too! I miss going for walks and adventures. Hurry up, Spring!
Winter is our hiking/outdoor season! Luckily in Arizona, we have about 9 months of gorgeous weather and 3 months of miserable heat. We’re taking advantage of the 70 degree weather right now!
That looks like fun! You got some great pics too! I miss going for walks and adventures. Hurry up, Spring!
Winter is our hiking/outdoor season! Luckily in Arizona, we have about 9 months of gorgeous weather and 3 months of miserable heat. We’re taking advantage of the 70 degree weather right now!
Great pictures! I wish I lived near mountains, it looks so fun to hike!
Great pictures! I wish I lived near mountains, it looks so fun to hike!
Wonderful pictures! We are super jealous of your weather right now. There are some great hiking spots in Virginia, but it’s too cold for us to get out there. Can’t wait for Spring!
Wonderful pictures! We are super jealous of your weather right now. There are some great hiking spots in Virginia, but it’s too cold for us to get out there. Can’t wait for Spring!
What a fun hike, great pics.
What a fun hike, great pics.
I haven’t been on the Wind Cave Trail in a few years. I definitely remember wheezing a lot – I don’t do very well on steady climbs. Although I am probably in better shape now than I was then. 🙂
I tend to stick to the wider remedial trail that just goes around that one mountain. I forget what it is called, but I do know it is wheelchair friendly. One thing I notice when I take Blueberry there, is she always, always, ends up with stickers in her paws – even when we stay on the trails. How did Winston fare? Any sticker issues?
Sorry for the misspelling – I meant Wynston!!!
No sticker issues thankfully! He came out completely unscathed! It’s definitely something to look out for since I have a maltipoo who is much more prone to stickers with that thick, fluffy poodle hair!
I haven’t been on the Wind Cave Trail in a few years. I definitely remember wheezing a lot – I don’t do very well on steady climbs. Although I am probably in better shape now than I was then. 🙂
I tend to stick to the wider remedial trail that just goes around that one mountain. I forget what it is called, but I do know it is wheelchair friendly. One thing I notice when I take Blueberry there, is she always, always, ends up with stickers in her paws – even when we stay on the trails. How did Winston fare? Any sticker issues?
Sorry for the misspelling – I meant Wynston!!!
No sticker issues thankfully! He came out completely unscathed! It’s definitely something to look out for since I have a maltipoo who is much more prone to stickers with that thick, fluffy poodle hair!
These are awesome photos – I especially love that first one of those 3 dolls! Very cool, and looks like a great time was had by all! And I agree with Jess… I’m jealous of your weather! 🙂
These are awesome photos – I especially love that first one of those 3 dolls! Very cool, and looks like a great time was had by all! And I agree with Jess… I’m jealous of your weather! 🙂
I don’t know where you are, but it looks warm, therefore I want to be there with you! Love the photos, gorgeous landscape.
I don’t know where you are, but it looks warm, therefore I want to be there with you! Love the photos, gorgeous landscape.
Love the photos! Looks like you had fun 🙂
Love the photos! Looks like you had fun 🙂
What great exercise for you and your doggies!! Beautiful scenery no doubt.
It was amazing exercise! More than I am used to…LOL!
What great exercise for you and your doggies!! Beautiful scenery no doubt.
It was amazing exercise! More than I am used to…LOL!
Beautiful view! Makes me want to go hiking with my girls!
Beautiful view! Makes me want to go hiking with my girls!
Looks like everyone had fun!
–Wags (and purrs) from Life with Dogs and Cats
Looks like everyone had fun!
–Wags (and purrs) from Life with Dogs and Cats
Fantastic photos! I live in Phoenix but have yet to make it up to Usery Mtn. I definitely have to go!
I’d definitely recommend it! We live in Gilbert and it was about a 40 minute drive even though it’s directly east of us.
Fantastic photos! I live in Phoenix but have yet to make it up to Usery Mtn. I definitely have to go!
I’d definitely recommend it! We live in Gilbert and it was about a 40 minute drive even though it’s directly east of us.
Adorable dogs. And a beautiful place to hike.
Adorable dogs. And a beautiful place to hike.