By Roger Naylor
Before setting out on a hike in the Arizona desert, visitors must always be prepared. Carry plenty of water. Wear proper footwear. And slather on the sunscreen. It’s just good common sense. Yet there’s one potential possibility no one ever warns you about – Be prepared to fall in love.
There is no hiking like desert hiking. Out here the world is laid bare, carved from rock and bone. Views stretch for miles and in the remarkably pure air—without the haze of humidity—every detail appears sharp and clear. The terrain varies wildly as you cross cactus-studded flats, drop into sandy arroyos, squeeze through narrow canyons, and climb mountain slopes. The geological drama is exposed at every bend in the trail. The footprints of history are visible all around you.
The desert captivates. The desert seduces. Nowhere is that more evident than at Castle Hot Springs. Tucked away down a dirt road at the edge of the Bradshaw Mountains and ringed by a network of hiking trails. No other resort in Arizona can provide such instant access to wide-open country. Guests at Castle Hot Springs have the entire Sonoran Desert available to them just by stepping out their doors.
If there’s anyone who truly appreciates all that this unique environment has to offer, it’s Ryan Myers, Adventures and Activities Guide for Castle Hot Springs. As the local hiking expert he gets to experience the desert each day, in every season, while also enjoying it through the eyes of first-time visitors.
“The Sonoran Desert is full of life, beauty, color, and water,” says Myers. “No other desert in the world can provide the experience of walking by a 200-year-old giant saguaro with cactus wrens chirping above.”
Desert Hiking at Castle Hot Springs
A collection of nine trails spreads out from the resort, with plans for more to be added. They range from easy to challenging, offering something for everyone. Meyers leads guided hikes into the expanse. He shares his knowledge and passion for this exotic landscape, especially some of the remarkable history.
“This desert was home to advanced ancient civilizations of Native people who were living and thriving in this region,” says Myers. “We find evidence of these cultures through the remains of tools and pottery as well as etched rock drawings called petroglyphs located right alongside our trails.”
Myers has a knack for putting everyone at ease before each outing. He provides plenty of information during the hike and happily answers questions but also knows when to be quiet. This provides guests with their own sense of discovery as they take in the surroundings, absorbing the stunning scenery and vivid details. Those moments allow guests the chance to fall under the spell of the desert all on their own. For the entire hike it just feels like you’re out walking with a very knowledgeable friend.
“The desert can be very tranquil,” says Myers. “You feel as if you are in the middle of nowhere. And the escape from the hustle and bustle is truly noticeable when you experience the quietness of the desert. I want our guests to be able to hear the sounds of nature. The animal calls, running water, and wind moving through the canyons.”
The hiking trails that crisscross the Castle Hot Springs property are an essential component of the resort experience. While they are key in unlocking the profound natural beauty of the Sonoran Desert, they are also part of the wellness offerings of the resort.
No single exercise offers a wider range of health benefits than walking. Regular brisk walking lowers blood pressure, increases heart health, strengthens bone and muscle, helps with weight loss, and boosts immunity—just for starters. And hiking is an advanced course in walking, dramatically increasing the benefits.
Explore the Sonoran
“Hiking, exercise, and spending time outside with nature are all part of the core values of Castle Hot Springs,” says Myers. “Guests have the opportunity to hike our trails through the daily guided tours and/or hike on their own at any time of the day or night. We provide supplies needed to make the guest hike safer and more comfortable such as maps, trekking poles, backpacks, water bottles, etc. The hiking experience helps guests connect with their surroundings and themselves in an intimate and unmatched opportunity.”
Be sure to set aside some time on your next visit to Castle Hot Springs to explore this special place. Traverse the rolling hills and canyons to the resort’s impressive Agave Farm. Make the gentle and unique spiral climb to the top of Chocolate Drop. Hike through groves of majestic saguaros on the way to Castle Peak.
Or, challenge yourself to reach the top of Salvation Peak. Here you’ll follow in the footsteps of World War II service members back when the resort served as a convalescent camp for wounded soldiers. The flagpole was placed atop the summit then and has proudly flown ever since. It’s quite a feeling standing on that high perch with the world falling away at your feet.
The common misnomer is that we take a trail. In reality, the trail takes us. A trail snatches us, pulls us away from the mundane and delivers us to new worlds. By putting boots to soil, pinning eyes on the horizon, and plunging into nature, we reap untold rewards, both healthy and spiritual.
A stay at Castle Hot Springs makes it all so easy.