“The hubs and I took off for a day of ‘first time’ hiking not knowing what to expect. We met Laurel as our guide for the day and she welcomed us with the biggest smile ever. Listen, she treated our concerns/fears as if they were her own and she went out of her way to make us feel secure and safe. … We had a blast! She even took us on an impromptu walking excursion at the end of the hike. Because of Laurel, the owner of the company, hiking is something we look forward to doing again. Sidenote: She has a beautiful and thoughtful way of exchanging authentic communication while climbing that makes you forget you're on a mountain. She's a rockstar! If you've never hiked before or if you're a seasoned hiker that needs a guide, do yourself a favor and book with The Wild Bunch!” – M.J., Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on Yelp, Jan. 14, 2018
(TOP) Wild Bunch Desert Guides owner Laurel Darren shows off her new business license from Lake City, Colorado. Wild Bunch is expanding from its Phoenix adventure tours roots to offering Colorado hiking tours this summer in the remote tourist destination of the Lake City region in the San Juan Mountains. (COVER/LEAD IN) Laurel poses with Handies Peak behind her. Handies is one of five adventure trails offered this summer during the Wild Bunch expansion into Colorado hiking tours.
Justin Hill, the owner of Lake City Brewing Company, laughs it up with dog Jackson during a "recon" scouting mission to Cataract Gulch with Wild Bunch owner Laurel Darren.
Laurel Darren, owner of Wild Bunch Desert Guides, poses with the sign for Alpine Gulch -- one of the trails offered in the new Colorado hiking tours offered in the expanded services this summer from the Arizona-based Phoenix adventure tours company.
“March Madness” in Arizona means much more than the college national basketball tournament. The state always plays a part in “The Big Dance,” but other events such as Spring Break and Major League Baseball’s Spring Training also attract a glut of guests to The Valley of the Sun. Perfect for this time of year is our annual “Elite Eight” list of must-do Phoenix adventure tours for those visitors to dance about during their trip – whatever the reason may be.
During the pandemic, I drove a delivery truck to try and save my business. So, I found myself listening to a lot of radio to keep me company at that time. In particular, I gravitated to talk radio on KTAR-FM 92.3 here in the Valley of the Sun for the financial advice of The Dave Ramsey Show. One of the host’s main messages spoke to my plight at the time and has always resonated with me. “ALWAYS have a side hustle because you never know when you’re not going to have work,” Ramsey said, repeating this mantra at least once per hour. “If you’re able to find some side hustles here and there, when things inevitably dip, you’ll still maintain your sanity and continue paying your bills.” Even though I own a successful small business now – offering Phoenix hiking tours and Phoenix mountain bike tours with my Wild Bunch Desert Guides -- I still walk that talk. I even found a side hustle that turned out to be a lot of fun during Super Bowl week here in the desert.
The top two teams in the NFL square off Sunday in Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium right here in my backyard in Glendale. However, with all due respect to the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs, the best team in Arizona this weekend can be found as usual in the Sonoran Desert showing visitors the best of the old Southwest. The Wild Bunch Desert Guides deliver once-in-a-lifetime experiences on their championship-level Phoenix hiking tours and Phoenix mountain bike tours.