By Mary Fairchild
Piestewa Peak is one of my favorite places to trail run in Arizona. It’s right in the middle of Phoenix surrounded by freeways, and neighborhoods and hotels. A lot of people who live there run it every day…. I do when I’m there. (Flickr Pictures)
It’s a steep, rocky trail that is about 1.2 miles to the top. The trail has a stair effect and is really fun to run. It’s rated a moderate hike.
When I first hiked the area it was called Squaw Peak. Since then, they changed the name to honor Lori Piestewa who was a Native American from Tuba City that gave her life in Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. The Piestewa Peak Recreation Area is located at 2701 E. Squaw Peak Drive, which is right near 24th Street and Lincoln.
That’s all, gotta run….