This week I went on a hike with my mom at Lake Pleasant. We are in the final weeks of winter, and the Arizona heat is creeping back into the days, but we still immensely enjoyed the hike starting it around 11:00 AM. The trail is popular and very well maintained. The lower sections are wide, but as you get higher, it gets a little cramped; most people are kind and patient, allowing for smooth passings. My mother and I carried up our camping chairs which we got for Christmas in 2021. They are super lightweight and fold up easily. My mother, a retired music teacher, was surprised at how easily she carried her pack. We did feel a bit fancy sitting in our chairs as dozens of other people filtered through, having to sit on rough volcanic rock. This hike is a trot up to a lookout. It gives sweeping views of the lake pleasant, and we enjoyed sitting up there and eating our lunch. While the trail is quite popular, and all ages of people can be found doing it, there is enough space to feel the joy of nature and have a private conversation.
Overall Rating: 35/60
How Repeatable is this adventure: 4/10
How safe is this adventure: 8/10
How secluded was this location: 3/10
How Accessible is this location: 9/10
How difficult was this adventure: 5/10
Photography opportunity: 6/10
The hike is enjoyable, but it is a classic Arizonan Desert hill. You will be able to see miles in any direction, and it will be breathtaking. The trail is not too long, so it could be a quick trip if that is what people would prefer, but I do not think the location is highly unique, so I would only want to make this trip a couple of times a year versus a ten being every week.
Many people are in this area, and it is one of the most popular hikes. You will have many people around to help you if you run into trouble, and the landscape is easy to navigate. There are parking lots and maps, making it accessible for even RV parking. This location is about as safe as it can get while hiking.
The hike is an uphill journey in the desert, so it takes moderate health but should be doable with enough time. There is little space to take breaks once you have reached the hill, so I give it a little higher rating, but it is not extremely difficult.
The location is better than the average spot for photography because of the expansive sweeping views of the lake. It is best for landscape or portrait photography rather than wildlife photography because of the crowds and dry hilltops. There were, however, signs of wild donkeys in the area, so perhaps a photographer could get a lucky view of them.
