Tales from the Trail Blog

Things to do in Phoenix February 2023

by Laurel Darren - Wild Bunch Desert Guides • October, 08, 2022

Heading to Arizona for this year’s Super Bowl to enjoy all of the NFL’s season-ending celebrations? Or maybe you are returning to the Valley of the Sun for the usual “Frantic February” fare of baseball’s spring training or the PGA Tour’s Phoenix Open? Or perhaps the world-renown Barrett-Jackson Car Collector Auction is more your speed? Whatever your reason for visiting one of the world’s top vacation destinations, here are some travel tips and things to do in Phoenix February 2023 to make sure you have a Super experience. more...

Posted in: Hiking, Mountain Biking, Adventure Tours | Views: 318

Gobbling up Phoenix adventure tours

by Laurel Darren, Wild Bunch Desert Guides • November, 22, 2022

Go ahead and pile on the turkey, mashed potatoes, and gravy. Throw some cranberry sauce and stuffing on there, too. And you always have to save room for pumpkin or pecan pie – or better yet both, I always say. But understand that my plate already is full as we sit down for Thanksgiving dinner this year. Feast on these many blessings from my Phoenix hiking tours and Phoenix mountain bike tours to understand why this Phoenix adventure tours owner is extremely thankful this Thanksgiving holiday. more...

Posted in: Adventure Tours | Views: 57

Sunrise or sunset: Phoenix hiking tours shine

by Laurel Darren, Wild Bunch Desert Guides • November, 12, 2022

“Don’t let the sun go down on me” was one of Elton John’s biggest hits in the 1970s. A George Michael cover of that classic also was a No. 1 worldwide smash in the 1990s. However, the tune has completely changed for guests on Phoenix hiking tours. Instead of pining about a curtain-dropper, Valley of the Sun visitors celebrate the ultimate showstopper splashing a palette full of Easter egg-colors on their once-in-a-lifetime vacation memories. more...

Posted in: Hiking, Mountain Biking, Adventure Tours | Views: 74

Vote for Phoenix hiking tours fun

by Laurel Darren, Wild Bunch Desert Guides • November, 01, 2022

Tired of all the campaign ads on TV? Weary of the non-stop political rhetoric? I’m Laurel Darren, the owner of Wild Bunch Desert Guides, and I approve this message -- because I’m asking for your vote when the ballot addresses fun for the whole family. After all the venom and vitriol leading up to Election Day 2022, we all could use a getaway to get unplugged and get back to nature with our loved ones on one of our Phoenix hiking tours or Phoenix mountain bike tours. more...

Posted in: Hiking, Mountain Biking, Adventure Tours | Views: 83

Phoenix hiking tours: No tricks; just a treat

by Laurel Darren, Wild Bunch Desert Guides • October, 18, 2022

Phoenix hiking tours or Phoenix mountain bike tours from the Wild Bunch Desert Guides are a real treat for guests of the small mom-and-pop specialty shop. Totally private, completely customizable experiences stressing safety and homespun hospitality make these Phoenix adventure tours a great addition to Trick-or-Treat buckets any time – not simply this Halloween. more...

Posted in: Hiking, Mountain Biking, Adventure Tours | Views: 129

A ‘Dream Team’ behind Phoenix hiking tours success

by Laurel Darren, Wild Bunch Desert Guides • September, 26, 2022

Jordan. Bird. Magic. Those first ballot Hall of Famers were among the biggest name standard bearers of the NBA's first Olympic basketball "Dream Team." The members of my personal "Super Squad" are hardly household names, but their love and support has helped me get through the toughest of times -- and turn my Phoenix adventure tours into something truly special. more...

Posted in: Hiking, Mountain Biking, Adventure Tours | Views: 256

Phoenix hiking tours: ‘Nightmares on Cactus Street’

by Laurel Darren, Wild Bunch Desert Guides • September, 15, 2022

From “Psycho” and other classic Hitchcock thrillers to Stephen King chillers such as “The Shining,” horror films consistently rate among the most popular of movie genres. The great horror director Wes Craven often spoke of the feelings of fear, dread and danger as an addictive elixir keeping fans clamoring for more on the big screen. People simply seem to love sitting in a darkened theater on the edge of their seats for a rollercoaster ride of shocking surprises whether watching monsters, killers or psychological thrillers do their worst to unsuspecting victims. However, neither Freddy Krueger nor Michael Myers nor Pennywise is what keeps me up at night these days. more...

Posted in: Hiking, Mountain Biking, Adventure Tours | Views: 117

Phoenix hiking tours: How I spent my summer vacation

by Laurel Darren, Wild Bunch Desert Guides • August, 25, 2022

The Labor Day Holiday weekend used to be the finish line – and that still is a week away. However, the final strains of summer vacations have already played out in much of the country. So, what did your favorite Phoenix adventure tours operator learn during her working summer break from Phoenix hiking tours and Phoenix mountain bike tours? Offering Colorado summer hiking tours for the first time has brought back a lot of memories – and revealed some key differences. more...

Posted in: Hiking, Mountain Biking, Adventure Tours | Views: 197

‘Groupies’ limited on Phoenix hiking tours

by Laurel Darren, Wild Bunch Desert Guides • August, 08, 2022

Movies such as “Almost Famous” and “The Banger Sisters” put Rock N’ Roll groupies in the spotlight. However, this Blog addresses “groupies” of a different kind – with corporate outings, both large and small, trickier propositions than one might think for Phoenix hiking tours and Scottsdale mountain bike tours. That is especially true for a small mom-and-pop specialty shop with limited resources such as the Wild Bunch Desert Guides. Group outings for Camelback Mountain hikes are also impossible for any Phoenix adventure tours operator of any size because of safety concerns. more...

Posted in: Hiking, Mountain Biking, Adventure Tours | Views: 213

Phoenix hiking tours vow: ‘Every step I take’

by Laurel Darren, Wild Bunch Desert Guides • July, 31, 2022

Ever get the incredibly calming feeling of having a Guardian Angel peering over your shoulder? The founding owner of Phoenix hiking tours operator Wild Bunch Desert Guides can relate to having a watchdog keeping her safe with every move she makes. Now, she honors the memory of her little angel with every step she takes guiding Phoenix adventure tours – and by showing off the natural beauty they experienced together on so many hikes in Phoenix and beyond. more...

Posted in: Hiking, Adventure Tours | Views: 206

Phoenix hiking tours: Here comes the Boom!

by Laurel Darren, Wild Bunch Desert Guides • July, 02, 2022

Fireworks are the major attraction on the Fourth of July. However, an Arizona adventure company owner offering Phoenix hiking tours and Scottsdale mountain bike tours loves Independence Day for so many other reasons. Here are some thoughts as beautiful as all the colorful explosions across the sky this holiday. more...

Posted in: Hiking, Mountain Biking, Adventure Tours | Views: 247

New heights for Phoenix hiking tours

by Laurel Darren, Wild Bunch Desert Guides • June, 17, 2022

The Wild Bunch Desert Guides open a new chapter this week in their history of providing five-star rated Phoenix adventure tours. Founding owner Laurel Darren is turning her annual summer retreat into a working vacation by adding Colorado hiking tours in the remote tourist destination of Lake City CO. Here is a detailed look at the natural beauty to be discovered on the five trails offered in our new service. more...

Posted in: Hiking | Views: 214

Summer fun for Phoenix hiking guides

by Laurel Darren, Wild Bunch Desert Guides • June, 05, 2022

So where do Phoenix hiking guides escape when they go on summer vacation? For the founding owner of the Wild Bunch Desert Guides, the remote wilderness wonderland of Colorado’s San Juan Mountains is the answer. The breathtaking beauty in the area surrounding Lake City serves as a superb summer home for those interested in the outdoors – whether fishing or hunting, or if hiking, mountain biking or climbing is your jam. Laurel Darren’s personal piece of paradise also is allowing her to make this summer a working vacation – and offer amazing, guided Colorado hiking tours this summer. more...

Posted in: Hiking | Views: 303

Summer Phoenix hiking tours: Why so early?

by Laurel Darren, Wild Bunch Desert Guides • May, 25, 2022

Sweltering heat dominates summertime activities in Arizona. Phoenix hiking tours and Scottsdale mountain bike tours are limited to early morning hours to avoid the worst of the triple-digit temperatures. Adventure tours guides also take advantage of this downtime to take much-deserved vacations during this June 1-Oct. 1 offseason. more...

Posted in: Hiking, Mountain Biking, Adventure Tours | Views: 352

The Importance of A Certified Guide For Your Hiking Or Mountain Bike Adventure

by Laurel Darren - Wild Bunch Desert Guides • May, 16, 2022

When you're planning your hiking vacation in the Scottsdale area, you need to find a certified team to take you on your guided adventure. If you're looking to book a tour and find a deal that sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Keep in mind that your safety and any friends or family with you are most important when on a hiking adventure. More than saving a few dollars. more...

Posted in: Hiking | Views: 315

Advantages of a Hiking Guide in Phoenix

by Laurel Darren - Wild Bunch Desert Guides • May, 09, 2022

When hiking the beautiful trails of Arizona, a hiking guide makes the experience safer and sweeter. Seeing the Sonoran Desert on foot is truly an intimate experience when led by professional guides who know every inch of the trails. more...

Posted in: Hiking | Views: 196

Phoenix hiking tours: Sun still shining

by Laurel Darren, Wild Bunch Desert Guides • April, 10, 2022

I am a huge fan of the Rocky Balboa film franchise and its fictional philosopher in the boxing trunks. Among the many gems I was reminded of so far this year? “The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows,” the Rock has said. During the busiest of busy seasons for Phoenix hiking tours and Phoenix mountain bike tours, I also got to successfully test his theory that life is “about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward.” more...

Posted in: Hiking, Mountain Biking, Adventure Tours | Views: 345

Group mentality of Phoenix hiking tours

by Laurel Darren, Wild Bunch Desert Guides • March, 23, 2022

With new COVID cases recently dropping down to zero, Arizona tourism thankfully is what’s spiking in the Valley of the Sun. Phoenix/Scottsdale adventure tours are experiencing the busiest busy season many can remember. But the glut of guests has created a large problem for large group and corporate outings seeking Phoenix hiking tours and Phoenix mountain bike tours. Here is the fix for the Wild Bunch Desert Guides. more...

Posted in: Hiking, Mountain Biking, Adventure Tours | Views: 311

Phoenix adventure tours: Cheers to ‘frequent flyers’

by Laurel Darren, Wild Bunch Desert Guides • March, 12, 2022

The song from “Cheers” is absolutely right. People do love “to go where everybody knows their name” – because everybody enjoys being made to feel important and special with superb service and tremendous treatment. That is why repeat patrons are a sure sign of success in any service industry. “Regulars” become the core of any great business by showing great loyalty to their favorite people, places, and products. However, for Phoenix adventure tours, “comebacks” become extended members of the Wild Bunch Desert Guides family – just like these folks featured in our latest Blog. more...

Posted in: Mountain Biking, Adventure Tours | Views: 315

'Elite Eight' of adventure tours Phoenix/Scottsdale

by Laurel Darren, Wild Bunch Desert Guides • February, 25, 2022

With Spring Breaks fast approaching, there is no need to wait until “Selection Sunday” to choose the must-do adventure tours Phoenix/Scottsdale. If planning a “March Madness” dance to Arizona, these are the “Elite Eight” stops to make during your visit to the “Valley of the Sun.” more...

Posted in: Adventure Tours | Views: 371