Hole in the Rock – Phoenix, Arizona

In this world there are a lot of rocks and a lot of rocks with holes in them.  This is about the one in Phoenix, Arizona in Papago Park.  We were told about it on our last visit and this time I was determined to go see it.  Not only did I see it, we climbed up to it and sat there watching the sunset (which is the true highlight of the hole).  The area is a favorite one for hikers, mountain bikers and we even saw a few people rappelling down the side of the butte one early morning.  There are two ways to reach the hole – from the front which is a little more rugged a hike or via the back way which has some “steps” in the side of the rock for you to climb.  The steps side is easier but not “easy easy”…depending on how in shape you are that is.

Once you get to the top you have to do a semi crouch through the hole and then you are treated to a great view of parts of the park and the Phoenix skyline.  It was then that a little bit of fear of falling from heights kicked in (and a bunch of pesky flies).  You can sit on the rocks and enjoy the view or if you dare you can cautiously scamper around to get to other vantage points.  There were several other people and one dog up there already by the time we arrived.  I wasn’t as fearless as some of the teens and tweens up there who were walking back and forth; I stayed on the bigger ledge area taking photos.  The sunset was beautiful from there.

Then I realized we had to go back down to get to our car as it was getting darker and there are no lights up there,  so we descended before the sun completely set.  It was as we were walking down the wrong path (the bikers path) that we found ourselves right in front of a group of mountain bikers making their way up.  I stepped to the right and got out of their way saying hello as they passed.  Now I want to go see some of the other holes in rocks in the world.