My friends, Ruth and Sandy, joined me for the annual Phoenix Summot Challenge, and we started from Piestewa, in the dark. The Challenge begins at 5am, though some hikers get there a little earlier. We had our headlamps on as we marched up the natural staircase to heaven, summeting in just about 35 minutes. We waited for the volunteer photographer to take our photo with the flag, then started our descent. I ran part of the way so we could get to our next hike.

I'd done this hike before, at least twice every month, just before sunrise. Ken Koshuo, Japanese drummer, greets the sunrise every day. It's a spiritual experience. Ruth and I went back on Monday morning when there were only a few faithful souls hiking; it was quite a contrast from Saturday's crowd!

Highly recommend a sunrise hike up Piestewa. Ken is amazing, and so is the sunrise. Namaste.