Pinnacle Peak

There is a well known hiking trail in north Scottsdale that goes up Pinnacle Peak. During all these years we never tried it. Until last Friday (11/7). The trail goes about 1.75 mi in one direction, then you return the same route; overall elevation gain about 1300 feet. It's all very gentle and nice with great views all along the way.

We had wonderful weather; high in the upper 70s. The only thing about the hike is that it's a bit too antiseptic - you never reach a point where you're not looking out over fabulous North Scottsdale residences. But that's a minor complaint.

There is a tourist trap restaurant basically right at the bottom of the trail, named "Pinnacle Peak Patio." Basically they serve cowboy food to out of town folks. The place supposedly does a nice job with steaks and burgers, but is primarily known for a tradition - going on several decades now - of enforcing an informal dress code by cutting off ties worn by unsuspecting visitors, and hanging them (the ties, not the visitors) from the ceiling. This is a bit weird, actually. We had fun checking it out.

Photos top to bottom:

1. Patricia with "Pinnacle Peak" in background

2. Typical view from the trail

3. Typical view on the trail

4. Me admiring spiffy steers atop tourist trap

5. Some of the ties