If you want to expand your walks outside of EE, click here to see some area hikes.
We have this magnificent Saguaro right here...next to Esperanza Estate. Check out this video from Joe Jackson, photographer, and Tom Aigner, narrator. Joe's video is excellent and Tom gives detailed and accurate directions for finding Hercules. You can watch it on YouTube
The Walking Trail around EE is a 1-1/2 mile long marked trail
that takes you through many parts of our neighborhood.
The trail is marked in the sketch above as a series of
footsteps. In the years since 2002 when the sketch was created by Al
Larson, a number of things have changed, including the
addition of the Ramada which replaced the Shuffleboard courts
in 2007, and the addition of restrooms in 2012 at the
Tennis (since 2008, Pickleball) Courts at the West end of Circulo del Sur. Many of those changes are noted in a
newer map of the trail, created in 2012, which also includes a
reference to the public art on display in Esperanza
Park which was created to commemorate the
centennial of Arizona's admission as a state on
February 14, 1912. Our newest park, Wild Flower Park, is
indicated on the new sketch as well.
|
The trail starts
across Portillo from the Sunset Ramada & Garden. |
So, turn around, cross the street, climb the steps, |
Continue up along the wash all the way to Camino Holgado... |
...passing a variety of native species -- mesquite, prickly
pear, etc. |
Continue along the
common driveway to get to Holgado. |
Cross Holgado to the entrance to Mesquite
Park, marked by a small bridge.
|
Continue through the shade of Mesquite Park along the path
bordered by stones.
|
The path crosses another small bridge, then continues on.
|
Approaching Circulo del Sur, there's a 'Quad' on the left |
Continue westward, going slightly uphill, along Circulo del Sur... |
...to arrive at the pickleball courts, bordered all
around by tall
Oleanders. |
Continue on the walk to 'brick oven park' along the East side of the courts... |
...to the wood-fired brick oven and seating area for small gatherings... |
...then on reaching the end of the gravel path at the arroyo,
|
A bench near the trail provides a place to pause and enjoy the mountain
views. |
The trail continues along the arroyo after crossing Camino Holgado. |
The arroyo was improved by the
addition of
taller walls after the Flood of '83. |
Continue to the break in the wall on Vereda Calma, almost to
Portillo. |
Cross over Portillo at the bridge, then follow the arroyo
Eastward. |
At the Easternmost point of the trail, you arrive at
Mountain View Park |
...continuing on the path through Mountain View Park... |
The trail turns left to follow the Eastern boundary of
Esperanza Estates. |
Continue Northeasterly until you come to Whigham Park, split by Whigham Wash. |
The path continues through Whigham Park,
then crosses
Circulo Napa |
Continue up Ensalmo to the pool, Sunset Ramada & garden. Done! |