Navajo Canyon Open Space Park

ohhh Thumper!!
May 17th, 2023

Jan 6th, 2023

So I guess I'm going to share how not to go on a hike at The Navajo Canyon Preserve. I missed the College Dr. exit I was directed to when driving Eastbound. Got off at Waring where my map directed to me a very lovely neighborhood which I'm assuming is above the canyon. I remember reading something about a church on a different site. I find the church and feel like a total freak but still get out of the car because there is a sign and an arrow pointing to the right. I set out on a nice little jaunty hike. A little uphill here, a little drop. I'm not sure how far I actually got (I know it was not far) when I realized that I was pretty much walking thru brush and not really on a trail. I did see the graffiti pipe and after passing that I saw a sleeping bag so I immediately turned around and hauled myself out of there. Upon reaching the top/entrance to my hike, I then see a sign stating that this is a protected habitat. Obviously it had been some sort of trail at some point (my pictures sure look like a trail to me) but not anymore. I was definitely behind houses but not too close and if anyone saw me, I hope they enjoyed the show. The whole thing was just hilarious as well because when I booked it out of there, my water bottle's lid was hanging off and then I dropped it and it rolled just within reach under a cactus which took some maneuvering to retrieve. There are seemingly much better entrances and either someone turned the sign with the arrow the wrong way or it was simply overlooked. I just went that way without a second thought. To state the obvious but just in case someone gets adventurous sometime and goes off the beaten path, I do not recommend venturing here in the summer heat. Enjoy my pictures of my trespassing.
Apr 24th, 2022

Dec 9th, 2021

This is a small hidden bike trail. Very cool canyon with tons of native plants, lizards and hawks.
Sep 13th, 2021