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NORTH & SOUTH DIABLO TRAILS McDowell Sonoran Preserve, Scottsdale. North Diablo Trail  A sign at the entrance to the Diablo Trails in McDowell Sonoran Preserve warns of steep rock slabs, vertical drops, uneven terrain and protruding rocks. Count me in! This recently revealed "forbidden zone" was developed as a technical bike circuit replete with slick stone traverses, boulder hops and swooping bends divided into a maze of loops with varying levels of difficulty. Located north of Cholla Mountain, the trails wind among granite outcroppings and rolling foothills with big sky views of Tonto National Forest peaks. Entrance to Diablo Trails Although it's clear that this compact mosh pit caters to bikers who want to test their mettle, hikers need not stay in their lane. The circuit is open to foot traffic as well and makes for an endlessly customizable trip for hikers who enjoy exploring semi-uncharted land. There are numerous ways to get to the site, but the quickest begins...

FAVORITE SEDONA FALL COLOR HIKES Oaks and Maples on Boynton Canyon Trail Right about the same time when the aspens of Arizona's mountain climes have passed their fall color prime, the high desert forests around Sedona are just about ready to peak. Although there are dozens of Sedona-area trails with great autumn leaf viewing, the West Fork of Oak Creek gets most of the love. With its sound-bouncing russet canyon walls, cascading water and brilliant stand of maples, it's no wonder hikers make a beeline to this hot spot in October. Although it's arguably the top fall color spot in the state, it will cost you ten bucks to get in and if you arrive later than 8 a.m., you'll probably have to wait around for a parking space. It's worth the money and the wait, so go ahead and get that one out of your system. Then move on to these other Red Rock Country canyons where you can soak up the eye candy in quieter, gentler surroundings. BEAR SIGN TRAIL Bear Sign Trail, Oct 25 U...

FAVORITE FLAGSTAFF FALL COLOR HIKES Autumn is just weeks away and the first tiny blotches of fall foliage color have already begun to tease of what's to come on Flagstaff's San Francisco Mountain. Many hiking trails on the slopes of Arizona's highest peaks make for ideal fall foliage viewing. The quaking aspen color spectacle begins in the high elevations in late September then trickles down into the foothills lasting through October. Here are six top leaf peeping picks. ABINEAU-BEAR JAW LOOP Abineau-Bear Jaw Loop, Sept. 28, 2013 This rigorous 7.2-mile loop on the north face of the San Francisco Peaks takes you up to a scenic saddle through moss-draped, spruce-fir woodlands of Abineau Canyon and back down the aspen-cluttered gorge of Bear Jaw Canyon via a 2-mile connecting walk along Waterline Road. Elevation range is 8,530 to 10,320 feet. Getting there: From Flagstaff, go north on U S180 (Fort Valley Rd.) to milepost 235.2 and turn right onto Forest Road 151 (Hart Prairie...

WAG & WALK DOG ADOPTION HIKE Usery Mountain Regional Park Ruh Roh, make way for the pups! Cuddly canines from the Maricopa County Animal Care & Control east shelter will be hitting the trail again on Saturday October 1st for the 2016-17 premier of Wag & Walk dog adoption hikes. Come on out to beautiful Usery Mountain Regional Park in Mesa and join the dogs on the easy, 1-mile Merkle Trail. Each dog will be accompanied by a volunteer handler who can tell you all about the animal's breed, personality, activity level and history at the shelter. You may also "test drive" the dogs to see how they handle on leash. This is a great opportunity to meet adoptable pets in a relaxed environment where they're more likely to display their loveable vibes. All dogs are already spayed or neutered, are up-to-date on their shots and ready to go directly into their new forever homes. You don't have to be in the market for a new fur baby to join the fun, though. There w...

NEW TRAILS AT SKYLINE REGIONAL PARK Skyline Crest Trail Attention hikers, be on the lookout for new trails in the coming weeks! The West Valley's newest hiking destination is getting ready to roll out fresh dirt just in time for fall hiking season. By the end of September 2016, Skyline Regional Park in Buckeye will have added 5 new trails for a total of 17 miles of non-motorized routes. Since opening in January, the 8,700 acre mountain preserve located just north on Interstate 10 has become a busy hub for hiking, riding, camping and picnics. The park also hosts regular stargazing events and educational programs that focus on native vegetation and animals. The interconnected system of trails offers something for everybody. From flat, easy strolls to quad-busting climbs to dizzying high points. Already on the map are the Quartz Mine, Skyline Crest and Lost Creek trails. Tie these three route together and you've got one magnificent loop hike with a short climb up Crest Summit fo...

[Episode 106] Today's episode of the Social Work Podcast is about a healthcare initiative called Zero Suicide .  In today�s episode, I spoke with David W. Covington, LPC, MBA  who, along with Mike Hogan, developed the Zero Suicide initiative. We talked about how he went from clinician to health care executive, from running a crisis service to organizing Zero Suicide initiatives around the world. We talked about what Zero Suicide means for providers and health care leaders and ended with information about how you can get your healthcare organization involved in Zero Suicide. Zero Suicide:  http://zerosuicide.sprc.org David's website   https://davidwcovington.com/ Twitter David W. Covington:  https://twitter.com/davidwcovington #ZeroSuicide:  https://twitter.com/zerosuicide_org   Zero Suicide Intitute:  https://twitter.com/ZSInstitute Download MP3 [54:49] So why should social workers care about Zero Suicide? Zero Suicide fits social work values....

V Bar V Heritage Site Petroglyphs at V Bar V  After surviving centuries of exposure to Arizona's extreme climate, the petroglyphs at V Bar V Heritage Site almost succumbed to cow butts. There's an air of mysticism about the tiny alcove that bears the etchings of the Southern Sinagua people who lived in the area from A.D. 1150 to around 1400. Shaded by sandstone bluffs near the banks of Wet Beaver Creek east of Sedona, site is wrapped in a strip of viney, deciduous forest that insulates it from the surrounding high desert heat. It's no wonder the cows found it too. Ranch relics along the trail Beautiful mysteries in the rock Seeking water and a shady spot to wallow away the days, grazing cattle from ranch operations that occupied the property during the 20th century would congregate at the cliffs, rubbing their hides against the ancient embellishments. Luckily, a rancher who understood the historical value of the rock art fenced off the site before the cows could scour awa...