National Trails Day celebrated

    The Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department will bring together outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds to celebrate trails and the outdoors at various locations within the City of Phoenix’s Mountain Parks and Preserves for National Trails Day, Saturday, June 7.

“Meet Your Park Ranger” will be held at six trailhead locations from 6 to 9 a.m., including: Phoenix Mountains Preserve, North Mountain Visitor Center, Camelback Mountain–Cholla Trail, and Camelback Mountain–Echo Canyon Park. Park rangers will be available to answer questions on trails and outdoor programs and to distribute trail maps from 6 to 9 a.m. For more information call 602-534-7453.

Enjoy a round of night golf

Take a swing at night golfing this summer at the Encanto 9 and Palo Verde golf courses, June 13-Aug. 8.

Friday nights at Palo Verde, 6215 N. 15th Ave., include: June 13, 27, July 11, 25, Aug. 8. Saturday nights at Encanto 9, 2300 N. 17th Ave., include: June 22, July 20. June check in is by 6:30 p.m. July and August check in by 7 p.m.

The course will be lined with glow lights and glow balls will be provided. Cost is $25 per person. One child plays free when playing with paying adult; cost is $15 for each additional child.

For more information, call Palo Verde at 602-249-9930 or Encanto 9 at 602-262-6870. Register online at www.phoenix.gov/golf.  To book a private night golf tournament, call 602-262-4540.

Enjoy these hikes under the moon

Now that the days are hot enough to fry an egg on the sidewalk, you may want to consider turning your hikes over to the dark side.

The Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department offers the following moonlit hikes at various North Central parks. Pre-registration is required for all programs; visit www.phoenix.gov/parks for information or to register. Note that most programs will have a nominal fee. Bring water, a flashlight or headlamp and wear sturdy shoes.

• Full Moon Hike—Join park rangers on a hike up Shaw Butte Monday, June 16 (Program #42793). This is a strenuous 4.6-mile loop hike with an elevation gain of 500 feet. Meet at 7:30 p.m. at the North Mountain Visitor Center, 12950 N. 7th St.

    • Full Moon Hike—Join park rangers on a 3.5-4 mile hike on Wednesday, June 18 (Program #42788). Meet at 7 p.m. at the 40th Street Trailhead, 9200 N. 40th St. (just south of Shea Boulevard).

    • Full Moon Hike—Join park rangers on a 2.45-mile hike along Quartz Ridge Trail Friday, July 18 (Program #42787). This is an easy to moderate hike. Meet at 7:30 p.m. at the 40th Street Trailhead, 9200 N. 40th St. (just south of Shea Boulevard).