Tales from the Trail Blog
Enjoy Handicap Accessible ADA Hiking Trails in Phoenix
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Laurel Darren, Wild Bunch Desert Guides • October, 21, 2021
The Phoenix Metropolitan Area rates among the top communities nationally for hiking and mountain biking opportunities. Sun-kissed weather conditions allow for endless days of exploring the hundreds of miles of trails in the other-world beauty of the Sonoran Desert. The incredible variety of trails includes dozens of ADA accessible hiking trails suitable for every age and ability level. Everything from wheelchairs to walkers, and scooters to strollers can be used on these handicap hiking trails, which in turn allows every member of a family or group to experience one of the Phoenix hiking tours from the Wild Bunch Desert Guides.
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Posted in:
Hiking |
Views: 74
Every dog has its day on Phoenix hiking tours
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Laurel Darren, Wild Bunch Desert Guides • October, 09, 2021
Travelling with your dog and want Bingo by your side for all the unforgettable moments in the Valley of the Sun? This is not “Ruff Stuff!” You are more than welcome to bring Rover on one of our guided Phoenix hiking tours. Here are the rules and recommendations to follow to enjoy a dog friendly hike with man’s best friend.
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Posted in:
Hiking |
Views: 125
Just what the doctor ordered! Phoenix mountain bike tours next
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Laurel Darren, Wild Bunch Desert Guides • September, 29, 2021
What did I do on my 2021 summer vacation? Instead of a back-to-school story, this is my return-to-business tale. Here is how a return to competitive mountain bike racing has more than prepared me to tackle the challenges to come from the “busy season” for tourists at my small business of offering guided Scottsdale hiking tours and Phoenix mountain bike tours.
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Posted in:
Adventure Tours |
Views: 199
Staying safe on Scottsdale hikes
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Laurel Darren, Wild Bunch Desert Guides • September, 19, 2021
What does a Phoenix adventure tours owner think of two tragedies in six weeks of unguided public hiking in Arizona’s triple-digit heat? Quite a lot, actually, especially in relation to the Scottsdale hiking tours offered by her Wild Bunch Desert Guides.
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Posted in:
Hiking |
Views: 145
Oktoberfest of Phoenix adventure tours awaits
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Laurel Darren, Wild Bunch Desert Guides • September, 07, 2021
Beer, brats and Lederhosen are the usual fixtures at any Oktoberfest celebration. However, guided Scottsdale hiking tours and Phoenix mountain bike tours also are part of the party this fall in Arizona. Wild Bunch Desert Guides owner Laurel Darren observes her October Homecoming from a summer full of rest and relaxation that has recharged, refocused and reinforced her commitment to providing once-in-a-lifetime memorable Phoenix adventure tours.
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Posted in:
Adventure Tours |
Views: 260
Labor Day Means Back To School Fun... For Parents - Scottsdale Hiking Tours
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Laurel Darren, Wild Bunch Desert Guides • August, 31, 2021
The extended Labor Day holiday weekend is upon us. Time for picnics, cookouts, and all sorts of great get-togethers as we all work hard to have some last summer-blast fun. If considering a quick getaway this or any other weekend, guided Scottsdale hiking tours with Wild Bunch Desert Guides also is a perfect part of any couples retreat or family outing on the long break from the workaday grind.
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Posted in:
Hiking |
Views: 148
Phoenix hiking tours: No substitutes, please!
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Laurel Darren, Wild Bunch Desert Guides • August, 08, 2021
Phoenix hiking tours with Wild Bunch Desert Guides are completely customizable to the desires of our guests. From trail difficulty to private group size to celebrating special occasions on the trail, every adventure is tailored to your wants, needs and wishes. The one unchangeable item in the summer, though, are early-morning start times. Read on to discover why.
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Posted in:
Hiking |
Views: 285
Phoenix hiking tours: Vacation destination
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Laurel Darren, Wild Bunch Desert Guides • July, 20, 2021
So, where does an adventure tour company owner go on vacation to take a break from the workaday grind and seek their getaway thrills? The answer might surprise you! The providers of guided Phoenix hiking tours and Scottsdale mountain bike tours are just like everybody else when chasing the ever-elusive physical, mental, and spiritual healing powers of recuperative rest and relaxation.
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Posted in:
Adventure Tours |
Views: 320
Phoenix hiking tours: Hot times, cool thoughts
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Laurel Darren, Wild Bunch Desert Guides • June, 30, 2021
So, you have hot summer vacation plans that include guided Phoenix hiking tours. Here is how to make sure instead of fizzling in Arizona’s legendary July heat, your adventure with Wild Bunch Desert Guides sizzles like an Independence Day firecracker. Hint No. 1: Start by crossing off an iconic Camelback Mountain hike.
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Posted in:
Hiking |
Views: 483
Phoenix hiking best adventure for group outings
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Laurel Darren, Wild Bunch Desert Guides • June, 20, 2021
Whether the calendar says July 4 or Nov. 4, an Arizona adventure tour is a great way to celebrate everything from a holiday to an anniversary, birthday, or another personal milestone. Guided Phoenix hiking or Scottsdale mountain biking also makes for a fantastic way to put a unique stamp on any corporate retreat, business event, family reunion or weekend group getaway. However, for the largest groups, hiking in the Sonoran Desert with the Wild Bunch is the best option and here is why.
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Posted in:
Hiking |
Views: 290
Phoenix Adventure Tours salute our heroes
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Laurel Darren, Wild Bunch Desert Guides • May, 28, 2021
Memorial Day is more than a long holiday weekend to mark the beginning of summer with an avalanche of activities. Mountain biking & hiking on Phoenix adventure tours is among the many freedoms Americans enjoy because of the sacrifices made by our war heroes. Never forget who blazed the trail to your fun.
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Posted in:
Adventure Tours |
Views: 470
Phoenix adventure tours: Eight great memories
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Laurel Darren, Wild Bunch Desert Guides • May, 23, 2021
A man with a prosthetic leg scaling Camelback Mountain. A first-time bike rider learning fundamentals on the fly. Guided Scottsdale hiking trips or guided Scottsdale mountain biking tours with either the famous or the fascinating. These are the Eight Great Memories from my company’s Phoenix adventure tours.
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Posted in:
Adventure Tours |
Views: 459
Scottsdale mountain biking becomes a Mother’s Day gift
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Laurel Darren, Wild Bunch Desert Guides • May, 09, 2021
As a tour guide and adventure company owner, I feel my gift is being chosen to play pathfinder to people’s personal journeys by showing them amazing sights, incredible scenes and even discovering something about themselves in the process. Instead, the gift was all mine to receive countless times over during a Scottsdale Mountain Biking visit leading into Mother’s Day from my friend -- the inspirational adventurer, motivational speaker/author, and Social Media sensation known as The Mirnavator.
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Posted in:
Mountain Biking |
Views: 623
Phoenix adventure tours: Beat the summer heat
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Laurel Darren, Wild Bunch Desert Guides • May, 02, 2021
The Wild Bunch Desert Guides are offering an online booking discount along with the annual roll out of special summer start times for the safety of our guests from June 1-Oct. 1. Read on to get discount details and understand how a highly rated Phoenix adventure tour company handles the heat of the summer.
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Posted in:
Adventure Tours |
Views: 663
Top 3 Phoenix guided hikes from a Scottsdale adventure tour company owner
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Laurel Darren, Wild Bunch Desert Guides • April, 25, 2021
I am posed with this question often: When friends or family visit from back home in the Midwest, where does a Scottsdale adventure company owner take them for a Phoenix guided hike? The answer: The same places I like to walk my dog – and the Wild Bunch Desert Guides take our guests! Here is my list of all-time favorites, though.
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Posted in:
Hiking |
Views: 532
'The kids are all right' on hiking & biking tours
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Laurel Darren, Wild Bunch Desert Guides • April, 11, 2021
The scenery is unbelievably beautiful. The experiences are unforgettably memorable. If only your kids could be part of your guided Phoenix hiking trip or guided Scottsdale mountain biking tour. But wait! They can! Here is how families can enjoy the same thrills together with the Wild Bunch Desert Guides.
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Hiking or Mountain Biking in Phoenix? Watch for these ‘Easter Eggs’
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Laurel Darren, Wild Bunch Desert Guides • April, 04, 2021
Easter comes only once per year, but the Wild Bunch Desert Guides offer an “Easter Egg Hunt” of a different kind daily in the Phoenix Metro area. From Flora to Fauna, Arizona’s Sonoran Desert boasts all sorts of colorful and exotic sights not seen elsewhere. And those cool plants and animals are just waiting to be discovered, too, during a guided hiking tour or guided mountain biking trip.
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Posted in:
Hiking, Mountain Biking |
Views: 705
The Business of Love: The Adventures of Bonnie & Clyde
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Laurel Darren, Wild Bunch Desert Guides • March, 21, 2021
Life is an adventure, but especially when you own an Arizona adventure travel tour company. The demands of the industry make long-term personal relationships a tough business. An understanding significant other is a requisite for success in both business and love.
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Posted in:
Adventure Tours |
Views: 641
Survival drive delivers lessons in gratitude
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Laurel Darren, Wild Bunch Desert Guides • March, 13, 2021
When the CoVid-19 pandemic began a year ago in March, I was worried the dream of owning a small business was over for me. However, my Arizona adventure tour company not only survived, but is thriving a year later – and I have a front-line job to thank for saving my small mom-and-pop specialty shop, as well as my sanity. Here’s how I got from that perilous Point A to the paradise of Point B.
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Posted in:
Adventure Tours |
Views: 579
'March Madness' underway: Here's 'Elite Eight' Arizona adventures
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Laurel Darren, Wild Bunch Desert Guides • March, 06, 2021
“Selection Sunday” is fast approaching. Spring Break also is upon us. If planning a “March Madness” Spring Break dance to Arizona, these are the “Elite Eight” adventure you must consider during your visit to the vaunted “Valley of the Sun.”
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Posted in:
Adventure Tours |
Views: 605
Coronavirus & Tours
Getting outdoors and hiking or biking is not only good for you mentally and physically, but it's one of the safest activities you could participate in. We are taking all appropriate measures following CDC guidelines to avoid any COVID-19 transmission. More details here.Categories
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Featured Reviews
My son and I wanted to do a bit of exploring around Scottsdale by mountain bike. Laurel helped us arrange a great ride at our convenience. She had awesome bikes which were perfectly sized, cold water bottles and backpacks, gloves, helmets, literally everything. We just showed up and rode. She catered to our experience level, took GREAT pictures of us, and truly couldn't have given us a better morning of exploring. I will absolutely schedule again with Wild Bunch Guides anytime I'm in Phoenix, and I'd recommend them to anyone who'd like an outdoor adventure. You'll get experienced, personable guides who will make you feel comfortable no matter what adventure you've chosen!
- Kristine M.
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 while navigating through the complexities of Camelback Mountain. 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.