Watchtower Hike Photo Supplement

Introduction  by Les Conklin, Photography by Howard Myers

The January-February 2014 issue of A Peek at the Peak includes an article by Bobby Alpert entitled “The Watchtower Hike.”  Alpert writes “During this hike you’ll experience “WOW” moments as you pass stands of some of the most remarkable saguaro in the preserve, hike behind Granite and Cholla Mountains, and along winding trails that take you to three of the North Preserve’s most unusual landmarks, Cathedral Rock, the Amphitheater, and Balanced Rock. Howard Myers, past chairman of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve Commission, has hiked in this area on numerous occasions and provided the following selection of photographs.

Little Granite Mountain Area, McDowell Sonoran Preserve, Photo Courtesy of Howard Myers

Little Granite Mountain Area, McDowell Sonoran Preserve, Photo Courtesy of Howard Myers

Little Granite Mountain Area, McDowell Sonoran Preserve, Photo Courtesy of Howard Myers

Little Granite Mountain Area, McDowell Sonoran Preserve, Photo Courtesy of Howard Myers

Little Granite Mountain Area, McDowell Sonoran Preserve, Photo Courtesy of Howard Myers

Little Granite Mountain Area, McDowell Sonoran Preserve, Photo Courtesy of Howard Myers

Little Granite Mountain Area, McDowell Sonoran Preserve, Photo Courtesy of Howard Myers

Little Granite Mountain Area, McDowell Sonoran Preserve, Photo Courtesy of Howard Myers

Little Granite Mountain Area, McDowell Sonoran Preserve, Photo Courtesy of Howard Myers

Little Granite Mountain Area, McDowell Sonoran Preserve, Photo Courtesy of Howard Myers

Little Granite Mountain Area, McDowell Sonoran Preserve, Photo Courtesy of Howard Myers

Little Granite Mountain Area, McDowell Sonoran Preserve, Photo Courtesy of Howard Myers

Little Granite Mountain Area, McDowell Sonoran Preserve, Photo Courtesy of Howard Myers

Little Granite Mountain Area, McDowell Sonoran Preserve, Photo Courtesy of Howard Myers

Little Granite Mountain Area, McDowell Sonoran Preserve, Photo Courtesy of Howard Myers

Little Granite Mountain Area, McDowell Sonoran Preserve, Photo Courtesy of Howard Myers

Little Granite Mountain Area, McDowell Sonoran Preserve, Photo Courtesy of Howard Myers

Little Granite Mountain Area, McDowell Sonoran Preserve, Photo Courtesy of Howard Myers

Little Granite Mountain Area, McDowell Sonoran Preserve, Photo Courtesy of Howard Myers

Little Granite Mountain Area, McDowell Sonoran Preserve, Photo Courtesy of Howard Myers

View of Pinnacle Peak from Cathedral Rock, McDowell Sonoran Preserve, Photo Courtesy of Howard Myers

View of Pinnacle Peak from Cathedral Rock, McDowell Sonoran Preserve, Photo Courtesy of Howard Myers

View from Cathedral Rock, McDowell Sonoran Preserve, Photo Courtesy of Howard Myers

View from Cathedral Rock, McDowell Sonoran Preserve, Photo Courtesy of Howard Myers

Cathedral Rock, McDowell Sonoran Preserve, Photo Courtesy of Howard Myers

Cathedral Rock, McDowell Sonoran Preserve, Photo Courtesy of Howard Myers

Balanced Rock, McDowell Sonoran Preserve, Photo Courtesy of Howard Myers

Balanced Rock, McDowell Sonoran Preserve, Photo Courtesy of Howard Myers

Balanced Rock, McDowell Sonoran Preserve, Photo Courtesy of Howard Myers

Balanced Rock, McDowell Sonoran Preserve, Photo Courtesy of Howard Myers

Amphitheater Area, McDowell Sonoran Preserve, Photo Courtesy of Howard Myers

Amphitheater Area, McDowell Sonoran Preserve, Photo Courtesy of Howard Myers

Amphitheater Area, McDowell Sonoran Preserve, Courtesy of Howard Myers

Amphitheater Area, McDowell Sonoran Preserve, Courtesy of Howard Myers

Amphitheater Area, McDowell Sonoran Preserve, Courtesy of Howard Myers

Amphitheater Area, McDowell Sonoran Preserve, Courtesy of Howard Myers

 

About Howard Myers

Howard is a resident of north Scottsdale and an avid photographer and hiker. Howard is the president of the Desert Foothills Property Owners and has served on a variety of City of Scottsdale boards and commissions, including chairman of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve Commission and the city’s general plan task force.

A strong advocate for responsible development, Myers has served on the boards of the Greater Pinnacle Peak Association, Friends of the Scenic Drive, and the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy. Howard is a frequent editorial and photography contributor to The Peak magazine.

Related Articles

“The Watchtower Hike,” Bobby Alpert,  A Peek at the Peak, January-February 2014

 

Author: Les Conklin

Les Conklin is a resident of north Scottsdale He founded Friends of the Scenic Drive, the Monte de Paz HOA and is the president of the Greater Pinnacle Peak Association. He was named to Scottsdale's History Maker Hall of Fame in 2014. Les is a past editor of A Peek at the Peak and the author of Images of America: Pinnacle Peak. He served on the Scottsdale's Pride Commission, McDowell Sonoran Preserve Commission, the boards of several local nonprofits and was a founding organizer of the city's Adopt-A-Road Program.. Les is a volunteer guide at the Musical Instrument Museum.

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