When I am in Arizona, I always make time to hike Pinnacle Peak - it's a great way to exercise with breath-taking views to keep you motivated and reward your hard work.

It's a 1.75-mile, out-and-back hike, with three big climbs and descents. The elevation gain is around 1,300 feet total, and there are two lookouts for you to catch your breath and take in the views. Round-trip, Pinnacle Peak is a challenging 3.5 miles, and regardless of how far you intend to hike, please respect the arid desert climate and take PLENTY of water.

I love Pinnacle Peak because the park staff has placed informational signs all along the trail, pointing out the cacti, flowers, animals and reptiles you may encounter. It's a great hike for families because the terrain is an even, hard-packed path that children can navigate with a little encouragement - and the signage provides an incentive for them to find out what's around the bend so they can learn something new about the desert environment.

On our hikes, Tom and I have seen a number of lizards - giant chuckwallas that look like dinosaur cousins and smaller desert spiny lizards that look like they're doing push-ups to get your attention. We've seen Harris hawks and red-tailed hawks in fall and winter, plus families of Gambel's quail - especially little puff-ball chicks in late spring - and tons of rabbits all year round. In the springtime, the cactus are in bloom with hot pink flowers on prickly pear and hedgehog cactus; by summer the saguaro sprout waxy, white flowers like crowns on their heads. I learned on the trail that it takes 75 years before a saguaro will even sprout one of its tell-tale arms!

Check out more photos of Pinnacle Peak in the photo gallery

When I first started hiking Pinnacle Peak four years ago, I had to stop several times to catch my breath as I ascended this climb. It helped to be able to look around and take in the beauty. I motivated myself to keep going forward by anticipating breaks in the trail where I could rest, and eventually I started striving to meet a new goal (not stopping before the Summit, or maybe making it to the Owl's Rest lookout without a breather, traversing the entire trail nonstop).

The Pinnacle Peak hike begins with a gentle climb that gradually gets harder and harder as it progresses into a series of switchbacks. Just when you think "OK, (pant pant) I'm done!," the trail whips around the side of the mountain and gives you a breather with a gentle downward slope.

Look up to the top of the Pinnacle and you might be able to see rock climbers ascending the peak. To the north, try to locate Y-Rock - also a favorite of climbers. Be careful to stay on the trail - only climbers with gear and prior approval can use the off-shoot trails to access the climbing areas.

The trail hooks around to the west providing some lovely evening sunset views, as you ascend to the Grandview Lookout. Markers ring this lookout, pointing out the various mountains and their distances. Kids love to look through the sights in the markers (and so do I) to see the mountains, some as far away as 30 miles! There are benches at Grandview Lookout if you want to take a break or take some photos. It's just gorgeous. 

From Grandview Lookout, you're not too far from the "summit" - or the highest point on the trail at 2,889 feet. Take a picture at the sign and soak in the panoramic views to the east and west. Usually there's always a friendly hiker on the trail who will pause to capture a snapshot for you. From the summit, the trail swings around to the southwest to the Owl's Rest lookout. Here you can spot the iconic Phoenix landmark, Camelback Mountain - I haven't hiked it yet, but you can literally climb to the very top of the camel's hump!

For leisurely hikers, first-timers and families with younger children, Owl's Nest lookout is a good place to turn around - it takes roughly 35-45 minutes round trip, and you'll be able to work up a good sweat (and a well-deserved pizza at Rare Earth Coffee and Wine Bar). For those that want a serious workout, the fun is just beginning! 

The trail drops into a cleft between Pinnacle Peak and the as-yet-to-be-named sister mountain, and then it ascends and wraps around the sister mountain, dipping into some refreshing shade in the evenings. Here the trail becomes a bit more rocky so watch your step, but the views are stunning - we've seen coyotes loping along the Estancia golf course to the north. The "end" of the trail follows a long slope down that you will feel when you turn around to head back - remember, you're at the half-way point if you're hiking the whole trail. With its relentless, stair-step climb, I think that the ascent from the turn-around point is much harder than the climb up Pinnacle Peak from the trailhead!

The volunteer staff at Pinnacle Peak will sweep the trail in the evenings, ensuring that everyone is off the trail before they close the gates. The park's hours vary according to sunrise and sunset, so with the staff sweeping the trail, you can rest assured that you won't have to find your way in the dark. 

Some insider tips: The parking lot has room for about 30 cars and in the mornings and on holiday weekends, it will fill up in a hurry. Normally, we'll drive through the parking lot to see if there's a spot and if there's nothing available, then we'll drive down to parallel park on the road to add some steps to our hike. Guests at the Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale can access a trail from the hotel that winds up at the Pinnacle Peak gates! (Believe it or not, you can get great deals at four-star resorts in Scottsdale during the summer - and I have taken advantage of them! I really love the Four Seasons Scottsdale.)

Again, there are water fountains at the trailhead, but please take your own water bottle on the hike and make sure to wear a hat and sunscreen, even in the winter. Leave no trace - take out what you take in. There are no trash cans or recycling bins on the outbound hike - they're all at the trailhead, so please work to ensure the natural beauty of the desert environment. During the summer months, avoid exercising during the heat of the day, as this is a challenging hike regardless of the temperature. Respect the desert and take precautions when exercising outdoors.

I hope you enjoy Pinnacle Peak as much as I do. See you on the trail!